Los Angeles Clippers erased a large early deficit and closed strong in the fourth quarter to secure a 123-120 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night at FedExForum.
Kawhi Leonard led the visitors with 28 points, while Darius Garland delivered a decisive fourth-quarter stretch and finished with 21 points and six assists.
The Clippers won for the fourth time in five games and improved to 31-32, continuing a turnaround after falling 15 games below .500 earlier in the season.
Los Angeles prevailed despite producing its lowest three-point total of the season. The club made only four shots from beyond the arc and finished 4-for-17 from distance.
The Clippers relied on free throws and interior scoring to offset the perimeter struggles. Los Angeles shot 37-for-45 at the foul line and converted 50 percent of its field-goal attempts.
Memphis opened the game with strong tempo and shotmaking. The home team built a 19-point advantage during the first half while facing a Clippers squad playing the second night of a back-to-back.
Turnovers changed the momentum before halftime. The Grizzlies committed 10 in the second quarter, which helped Los Angeles trim the deficit to 59-58 at the break.
Leonard paced that rally with 15 first-half points and consistently attacked the paint to generate free throws.
The game remained close throughout the second half. Memphis regained the lead late and held a 118-117 edge with roughly two minutes remaining.
Leonard and reserve Jordan Miller each converted two free throws during the closing stretch to push the Clippers ahead 121-118.
Garland also played a major role in the fourth quarter by scoring 11 points in the period and creating key offensive possessions.
Bennedict Mathurin added 21 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, recording a double-double and converting nine free throws. Derrick Jones Jr. supplied 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting.
Ty Jerome led Memphis with 23 points and seven assists. Taylor Hendricks scored 18 points and Cedric Coward added 15 for the Grizzlies.
Memphis had balance offensively and shot 37 percent from three-point range, making 16 of 43 attempts.
However, the Grizzlies struggled to match the Clippers at the free-throw line and were outscored significantly there in a three-point game.
Mathurin sealed the outcome with two free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining. Jerome attempted a potential tying three-pointer in the final seconds but the shot missed.
Memphis has now dropped three straight games. The team continues to deal with injuries across the rotation, including guard Ja Morant, who missed his 20th game due to a left elbow UCL sprain.
The loss dropped the Grizzlies to 23-38 as they remain outside the Western Conference playoff race.
The Clippers currently sit ninth in the Western Conference standings and remain in contention for a postseason position.
Los Angeles will host the New York Knicks on Monday. Memphis travels to face the Brooklyn Nets the same night.
