The Los Angeles Clippers had no business winning this game. Down 27 points at one point and trailing by 24 points with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Clippers were learning first hand just how important home court advantage was in their first round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. But the Clippers staged an improbable and amazing comeback to stun the Grizzlies 99-98 in Game 1 at FedEx Forum.
The Clippers lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.
Nick Young scored 19 points to lead the Clippers, including hitting a trio of three-pointers in the final period in the comeback. Chris Paul had 14 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, while Blake Griffin added 17 points and seven boards.
"Our guys didn't give up. I can't tell you how proud of them I am. They just gutted it out," said Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro after the win.
A layup by Reggie Evans with 50.3 seconds left capped a 26-1 lead to give the Clippers the lead, but Rudy Gay added a turnaround jumper to reclaim the lead for Memphis with 28 seconds left. Gay scored 19 points to lead Memphis.
Paul hit two free throws with 23.7 seconds left to give the Clippers the lead, and Gay missed a 16-footer at the buzzer to seal the win for the Clippers.
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