Clippers Complete Incredible Comeback, Down Grizzlies In Sunday Nightcap

Chris Paul thought differently.

Including the game-winning free throws, Paul scored just four points in the crucial final quarter. He finished the game with just 14 after being held to a single point in the first half. But although Paul is a very good scorer, his value to the Clippers goes way beyond the points he scores. Paul handed out seven assists in the final 10 minutes, with four of those leading directly to three-point baskets. Taking those threes into consideration, Paul had a hand in 22 of the Clippers’ final 30 points in the game.

(waits)

THAT is why we love the NBA Playoffs. Because of the nights where the only appropriate reaction is “Holy shit, that was just ... awesome.” And after a weekend dominated by refs, superstar injuries, stupid controversies, blow-outs and Rajon Rondo’s (probable) suspension, we needed one of those nights.

We were all ready to just pack it in. This game had been over for about an hour. Memphis was up big, the Clippers looked lost and a blowout was all but assured.

And then the Clippers made a game of it all. Quickly, we turn it over to the Grizzlies fan watching as his team melted down.

The Clippers are currently on a 24-1 run and have cut the Memphis Grizzlies’ lead, which once seemed insurmountable, to one. That’s impressive enough, but what about this?

That’s Nick Young willing the Clippers back. This isn’t real life.

It’s not immediately clear when Butler suffered the injury, but he was taken out of the game for good with two minutes and 38 seconds left in the third quarter. The team announced the news shortly thereafter.

For more on the Clippers, visit Clips Nation and SB Nation Los Angeles.

The best part about it all is the fan doing it all by himself. Everyone else is stoic, except for overzealous towel-waver. And soon we see why.

The context: There was a missed alley-oop by the Grizzlies, and the fan was celebrating too soon. Acting hurt seems to be his way of playing it off. Never, ever wave the towel until it’s absolutely necessary, friends.

Oh, and there Gasol looking like a point guard while slicing through the lane and dishing the ball off.

Doesn’t get much better than that.

The Grizzlies starters have been dominant, ending the first quarter up 34-16.

If by nothing else than regression to the mean, it’s hard to imagine LA playing this poorly in the second half.

Tony Allen knows there’s still a half to play. That’s a guy who is thinking ahead.

For news and analysis on these two teams, check out Clippers blog Clips Nation, SB Nation Los Angeles and Grizzlies blog Straight Outta Vancouver.

It took me a minute to realize those were two different dunks: notice that Jordan uses two hands on the first one and only one on the second.

I knew the Celtics were a bad rebounding team, but I didn’t think they were this bad.

For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

And during TNT’s halftime show, Charles Barkley summed up Atlanta’s transition strategy as thus: “They think they’re more athletic than the Celtics, and they are.” If the Hawks can keep imposing their will, Boston is in trouble.

For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

So that was a thing for a few minutes. But later in the same half...

Oh, Double-P. Never change.

For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

Allen has missed the Celtics’ last nine games with a sore right ankle. We knew he was a game-time decision, and news from Doc Rivers had made it seem as if the chance Allen would take the court tonight was steadily decreasing as the week has gone on, but now it’s official.

It’s unclear whether Allen will be healthy as the series goes on, but we can assume he will remain a game-time decision in upcoming games.

Javale McGee is in the playoffs! And he’s not having fun.

Nine of Bynum’s ten blocks

Here’s video of the first nine of Bynum’s 10 blocks in the game.

The tenth block came against Timofey Mozgov, one of three Nuggets centers who was powerless to stop Bynum from dominating the paint. Size is such a huge factor in the playoffs, and the Lakers have a huge size advantage over the Nuggets that they will continue to exploit until the Nuggets find some magic growing beans. Unless that happens, Denver is in a lot of trouble in this series.

Case in point:

So much for this being a family-friendly broadcast.

And he has begun his first career playoff game in style.

Some quick game notes

• Spurs bench/depth was big in this one. San Antonio got 44 points from their bench, lead by 14 from Manu Ginobili. The Jazz only had three players in double-figures.