Rookie Cedric Coward had 23 points and 14 rebounds, including four points and a steal in the closing 2:17, to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 107-98 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers Friday night.
Jaylen Wells added 17 for the Grizzlies, and Cam Spencer came off the bench to contribute 17 points and seven assists for Memphis, which won for the sixth time in eight games. Jaren Jackson Jr., who was held to two points in the first half, finished with 13, seven of those coming in the final quarter.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists. James Harden had 18 points and seven assists, John Collins scored 16 and Kobe Brown had a season-high 13 points. Los Angeles lost for the ninth time in 11 games.
Leonard entered Friday’s game having averaged 29 points in the team’s previous three outings, but had only four points in the closing quarter. The Clippers did not score during the game’s final 3:40 as the Grizzlies finished on a 9-0 run.
The Clippers led 96-95 with 6:46 to go following a 3-pointer by Brown, but only managed two free throws by Harden the rest of the way.
Memphis took the lead for good at 100-98 on a fastbreak dunk by Wells. Jackson and Coward followed with baskets for a 104-98 lead.
The Grizzlies, who trailed by four at the half, built an eight-point lead midway through the third quarter. Wells was the catalyst. During a 10-2 run, he scored eight straight points and Memphis went ahead 72-64.
Leonard and Harden scored 16 points each in the first half to lead the Clippers to a 58-54 halftime lead. Their production overcame 56.4% shooting by the Grizzlies in the opening half, who got 10 points apiece from Spencer and Zach Edey.
