07-18-2017, 03:30 AM
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- With Tony Allen back, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to turn up their defence pressure and hold off the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch. Zach Randolph had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and the Grizzlies survived a late rally for a 102-96 victory over the Clippers on Friday night. Allen, the Grizzlies defensive sparkplug, missed the previous 21 games with a sprained left wrist. His return sparked a defensive effort that held the Clippers to 33 per cent shooting in the second half and gave Memphis a double-digit lead that was enough of a buffer for the Grizzlies to win their fourth straight. Allen scored nine points on 4-of-4 shooting with two steals and a block. "With TA back in the lineup, its great," Randolph said. "Hes a leader on this team, and he gets guys going with his energy. What else can I say? Were happy to have him back." Allen drew a standing ovation when he entered the game late in the first quarter and seemed even more animated than usual in seeing his first action since Jan. 3. He said his goal was "to get in there and cause havoc." "I kind of had butterflies in my stomach when they did that," Allen said of the ovation, "but I got focused on the game." James Johnson added 15 for Memphis, and Mike Miller finished with 13, hitting 5 of 8 from the field. Courtney Lee scored 10 for Memphis. Gasol had four blocks. Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Jamal Crawford had 23 points. Chris Paul added 18 points and 14 assists, but was 4 of 13 from the field as Los Angeles lost its second straight. "It was just one of those games that we missed a lot of easy ones," Griffin said after Los Angeles shot 39 per cent for the game. Clippers coach Doc Rivers thought the game started slipping away in the second quarter. Rivers, who coached Allen in Boston, noted that he was a key. "I thought Tony Allen, Mike Miller and James Johnson turned the game around for them with their energy," Rivers said. Another key was the bench scoring. Memphis reserves outscored their Clippers counterparts 43-7. "When we dont score, thats fine," Rivers said, "but weve got to be able to get stops. Our second unit didnt kill this offence, they gave up 32 points defensively, and that thats what hurt us." The Grizzlies opened the fourth quarter connecting on their first four shots for an 11-4 run to take the lead to double digits. Mike Conleys layup gave Memphis an 84-72 lead with 9:23 remaining. The margin stayed between seven and 11 points, and Memphis still led by 10 approaching the 4-minute mark. But Los Angeles chipped away, and a pair of free throws from Paul brought the Clippers within 98-96 with 1:05 left. That was as close as Los Angeles could get. Memphis scored the last four points while the Clippers were missing their final four shots. As has become the norm when the two teams face each other, the play was physical and defence stout. "Every game we play against them is going to be a battle, and we understand that," Conley said. "Both teams get up for each other, and (Los Angeles) is the most competitive team, I think, as far as rivalries go." NOTES: Griffin has scored at least 25 points in 10 straight games. ... The Clippers and Grizzlies have played 23 times since Jan. 26, 2012, including 13 games in the post-season. ... The loss snapped the Clippers three-game regular-season winning streak in Memphis. ... The Grizzlies promotion Friday night was a temporary "GRIZZLIES" neck tattoo as a nod to reserve F James Johnson, who has his sons name NAYMIN tattooed on his neck. ... The Grizzlies were 16-5 during Allens absence. Rasmus Andersson Flames Jersey Authentic . For one, he still gets to crank the intensity to the max. "I push pretty angry. I ran pretty angry too though, but I have fun doing it," Lumsden said. 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They kicked off the still-going trend of host cities winning the Grey Cup and sent Hall of Fame head coach Wally Buono to the front office a champion. MADRID, Spain -- Atletico Madrid beat 10-man Real Betis 2-0 Sunday in the Spanish league to increase the pressure on Real Madrid ahead of its clasico with Barcelona. Atletico is tied on 70 points with Madrid, which hosts Barcelona later Sunday. Barcelona has 66 points. Gabi Fernandez opened the scoring in what had been a hard fought contest until Bryan Rodriguez was shown a second yellow card for blatantly swiping at the ball with his hand in the 55th minute. Gabi was afforded space about 10 metres outside the area to smash a swerving drive beyond outstretched goalkeeper Antonio Adan for the 58th-minute lead. Diego Costa made it 2-0 in the 64th after Koke headed on to the Spain striker to fire home his 23rd league goal and 31st in all competitions. While Atleticos season-long surge sees no signs of dipping with nine rounds left, last-placed Betis is running out of time to avoid relegation after falling nine poinnts from safety.dddddddddddd Earlier, Sevilla continued its late bid to qualify for next seasons Champions League by beating Osasuna 2-1 for a fifth straight victory. Jairo Samperio put Sevilla ahead after 27 minutes before Carlos Bacca scored a first-half stoppage time penalty after Damia Abella was ajudged to have handled inside the area, which led to Osasuna coach Javi Gracia being dismissed. Sevilla never looked in danger despite Osasuna substitute Javier Acuna scoring an impressive individual effort in the last play of the game. Sevilla has 48 points, seven behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao on 55. Osasuna is two points above the relegation zone. Vallencia and Villarreal also play on Sunday, while Real Sociedad faces Almeria on Monday. 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