Game 3 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies was a wild battle, a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple runs by both teams. After their second fourth quarter comeback in three games, the Clippers were able to take a 2-1 series advantage with an 87-86 win on Saturday.
But it wasn't easy.
Chris Paul hit two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to give the Clippers an 86-80 lead, but Rudy Gay wasn't ready to go down without a fight. Gay hit one three-pointer to cut the lead in half, then hit another with 8.9 seconds left to pull within one point.
The Clippers had a horrendous day at the foul line, making just 13-of-30 (43.3%), including hitting just 1-of-6 in the final 13 seconds. After Eric Bledsoe missed a pair of free throws with 8.3 seconds left, the Grizzlies had the ball down just one point but had no timeout. They had a chance to win, but Gay took a tough shot, and missed, at the buzzer.
The Clippers will need to do better if they plan to win Game 4 on Monday, but for now they can exhale. They are up 2-1.
For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Los Angeles Clippers, be sure to read Clips Nation. For more on the Grizzlies, check out Straight Outta Vancouver.
