NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies Down Clippers, Force Game 7

Clippers Vs. Grizzlies, NBA Playoffs 2012 Game 6 Final Score: Memphis Rides Bigs To 90-88 Win

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin both picked up slight injuries in Game 5 of the Los Angeles Clippers' series against the Memphis Grizzlies, and they were obviously affected on Friday night. Both players were far from their best on their home floor, and due to their struggles, they'll have to play a Game 7 in Memphis. The Grizzlies won their second straight game in the series on Friday, taking Game 6 at the STAPLES Center, 90-88.

Zach Randolph had a big game down low with 18 points and 16 rebounds, though his performance will probably be more remembered for this interesting three-point shot attempt than the good things that he did. Marc Gasol also had a big game with 23 points and nine rebounds while Tony Allen was stellar defensively and finished plus-15 in net points.

Paul looked like a shell of the best version of himself with 11 points and seven assists before he fouled out. He took just nine shots on the night and did not have his usual explosiveness. Griffin finished with 17 points and five rebounds.

The Clippers held an eight-point lead with eight minutes left in the game, but their offense dried up while Memphis began to look sharper on the offensive end. The big turning point in the game came with 6:28 remaining, when Rudy Gay made a runner while being fouled by Nick Young and hit the ensuing free throw to put the Grizzlies up by two points.

While down four points with under a minute remaining, the Clippers were gifted a chance to get back into the game, but threw it away. Allen went to the line and missed both free throws, but Randy Foye stepped on the baseline while grabbing the rebound, giving the ball back to Memphis. Despite that mistake, the Clippers got back to within two points with three seconds remaining, but did not foul and allowed the clock to run out to give Memphis the victory.

For complete coverage of Friday's Game 6, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Clippers, please visit Clips Nation or check out SB Nation Los Angeles. For updates and perspective on the Memphis Grizzlies, head on over to Straight Outta Vancouver.

Blake Griffin Does His Own Travel Dance

This isn't Blake Griffin lobbying for a travel. It's really just a new dance move.

But if he did happen to be asking for a travel, he probably would've been right. Probably.

A Futile Plea To Refs

They tried. You have to give them props for trying.

Zach Randolph Should Shoot More Threes

Next year, there's one thing I want to see during All-Star Weekend, and only one thing. Get Zach Randolph and Andrew Bynum together and let them live their dreams out. Let them both fire up threes until their hearts are content. Make it a contest. Or just make it an exhibition. But televise the thing and let us all watch what happens.

Why, you ask? Well, here's Z-Bo:

His hand was forced with the shot clock winding down, but still ... this needs to happen on the regular.

Remember This Play

If the Grizzlies do happen to win and force Game 7, this play might be the one that put them over the edge. Memphis was making a run anyway, but this and-1 was big (and ridiculous).

Related: Oooooohhhh, Nick Young.

Marc Gasol, And How Not To Box Out Reggie Evans

This was new, and possibly groundbreaking. Also, Marc Gasol should never try it again.

You win this time, Reggie Evans.

Blake Griffin Hustles, DeAndre Jordan Dunks, Reggie Evans Gets Hyped

This play had a little bit of everything. There's the bodies on the floor, led by Blake Griffin diving after the ball. There's Griffin's wherewithal to find DeAndre Jordan streaking towards the hoop. There's Jordan watching two defenders blow by as he elevates for the dunk. And there's the jubilation of one Reggie Evans.

Here's the play, which is pretty neat all-around.

But even better is Evans, who was waiting to check-in.

POGO.

NBA Playoffs 2012, Grizzlies Vs. Clippers Game 6 Halftime Score: Memphis Holds Slim Halftime Lead Over Hobbled L.A.

Looking to continue to apply pressure and force a deciding Game 7 after being down 3-1 in the series, the Memphis Grizzlies hold a 42-38 lead at the half over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers, playing with their two stars not at 100 percent, do not have a player in double figures. Chris Paul has just six points on 2-4 shooting, while Blake Griffin has been limited to just 13 minutes of floor time. Trailing by nine points after the first quarter, the Clips didn't seem to come to life until Vinny Del Negro looked to his bench, as Reggie Evans (eight rebounds) and Eric Bledsoe (six points) have provided valuable contributions in the game's first 24 minutes.

The Grizzlies, who are outshooting the Clippers 45 to 37 percent, have allowed L.A. back into this game with 13 turnovers.

They're led by Marc Gasol with 13 points

For complete coverage of Friday's Game 6, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Clippers, please visit Clips Nation or check outSB Nation Los Angeles. For updates and perspective on the Memphis Grizzlies, head on over to Straight Outta Vancouver.

Reggie Evans Gets Technical Foul For ... High-Fiving Blake Griffin?

This has to be a retroactive technical against Reggie Evans for flopping; a lifetime achievement technical of sorts. How else does it make sense?

Maybe Marc Davis thought that high-five was too condescending, or something.

Reggie Evans Flops Again, And I'm Amused

At this point, Reggie Evans flops make me laugh. We know they’re coming, his teammates know they’re coming and his opponents know they're coming. Only the officials don’t know they're coming, and that’s all that matters.

Making things more entertaining: Jeff Van Gundy is the television commentator and he’s the Commander-In-Chief of the anti-flopping movement. After ESPN’s Mike Breen laughed at the flop, he turned to Van Gundy and asked him to admit this flop was amusing. Van Gundy wouldn’t. "That’s not funny," he deadpanned.

For this reason, and this reason alone, keep flopping, Reggie Evans. Troll Jeff Van Gundy and then flop again and troll him some more.

About That Late Blocking Foul On Kenyon Martin's Dunk

First, the play:

Ugh, this is so stupid, but here we go. The dunk is good, because the foul occurred at basically the same time. The foul is also an off-ball foul, not unlike the late charge after a player passes off. Except in this case, since Marreese Speights moved, it's a blocking foul. Thus, Martin's dunk was good and Bledsoe was put on the line.

Related: The late block/charge is ridiculous. That is all.

Blake Griffin, Chris Paul Jog Back On Defense; Jeff Van Gundy Is Still Yelling

To be fair, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are kinda, sorta hurt. So I guess they saw the writing on the wall here and decided to just punt, living to fight another day. Whatever the case, it resulted in an easy break for the Grizzlies.

And Caron Butler ... well, he wasn't feelin' it.

Of course, Jeff Van Gundy is mad. Jeff Van Gundy is mad at everything, in fact. It's been a few minutes since the jogging incident and I'm pretty sure he's still yelling about it.

For complete coverage of Friday's Game 6, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Clippers, please visit Clips Nation or check outSB Nation Los Angeles. For updates and perspective on the Memphis Grizzlies, head on over to Straight Outta Vancouver.

Chris Paul Injury: Clippers Guard Will Play Friday, According To Report

The Los Angeles Clippers will once again face off against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night. In Game 6 of the opening-round NBA Playoffs series, the Clippers will go for the clincher, as they lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven tilt. Los Angeles will, however, be playing with a banged-up squad.

ESPN.com reports that Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul, who suffered hip flexor and finger injuries in Game 5 on Wednesday, will play in Friday's game.

Blake Griffin is also suffering from a sprained knee and will be a game-time decision for Game 6. It is unlikely that both of the Clippers' heaviest hitters will miss a potential clinching game.

For complete coverage of Friday's Game 6, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Clippers, please visit Clips Nation or check out SB Nation Los Angeles. For updates and perspective on the Memphis Grizzlies, head on over to Straight Outta Vancouver.