Cedric Coward had 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-98 on Friday night at FedExForum. Coward was one of five Grizzlies to reach double figures, with Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells adding 17 points each.
Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 13 points and Zach Edey contributed 10 points and eight rebounds as Memphis won for the sixth time in eight games. The Grizzlies closed the game with a nine-point run, pulling away after a tight fourth quarter.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds, while James Harden added 18 points and seven assists. John Collins scored 16 points, but Los Angeles lost for the ninth time in 11 games and struggled with consistency in the fourth quarter.
The game featured a back-and-forth battle through the fourth quarter, with 10 lead changes and nine ties before Memphis gained control. At 3:40 remaining, the teams were tied 98-98 when Harden hit two free throws, his only points of the second half.
Memphis shot 54% from the field and 36% from three, while the Clippers converted 44% of their shots and 32% from deep. The Grizzlies dominated the boards with 42 rebounds to Los Angeles’ 37 and recorded 15 assists to the Clippers’ 11.
This win improves Memphis to 10-13, while Los Angeles falls to 6-17. The Grizzlies will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, and the Clippers travel to Minnesota on Saturday.
