Though it looked easy, the Los Angeles Clippers passed one of their most difficult tests of the 2012-13 season on Monday night and made quick work of the Memphis Grizzlies, winning 99-73 despite the absence of their floor general, Chris Paul.
Clippers vs. Grizzlies final score: L.A. dominates without Chris Paul, 99-73
The Clippers put their outstanding depth on display in the absence of their best player and never looked back as they were clearly the better team Monday night.
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Eric Bledsoe filled in for Paul, who injured his knee in Saturday night's loss to the Orlando Magic, and scored 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Though early reports indicated that Paul was going to play, he was a late scratch prior to game time.
Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes scored 16 points apiece to lead the Clippers.
The contest was never close, and Los Angeles led by as many as 27 points. Memphis held a brief lead of four points in the first quarter, but the Clippers never looked back after grabbing the lead again.
It was the perfect way for the resilient Clippers (29-9) to get over their embarrassing home loss to the Magic. They made things look easy, scoring 16 fast-break points and limiting themselves to just 10 turnovers. Every Clippers player who entered the game scored.
For the Grizzlies, (24-12), the home loss marked just their fifth at home. Zach Randolph led the team with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Rudy Gay did not join the team and was out due to personal reasons.
The Clippers will play three games in four nights on the current road trip, traveling immediately to the Lone Star State to take on the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. They'll face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. Memphis will get a day's rest before traveling to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Wednesday.
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