Clippers show need for missing star less

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

— Playing without Chris Paul proved no problem for the Los Angeles Clippers. Not having Rudy Gay was a much bigger issue for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Reserves Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes each scored 16 points, and the Clippers routed the Grizzlies 99-73 Monday night with Paul missing his first game this season because of a bruised right kneecap.

“Missing the best point guard in the world in Chris Paul, we all had to play collectively and step it up, and I thought we did a good job of that,” Crawford said.

The match up between two of the best teams in the West wasn’t close after the first quarter as the Clippers matched their largest margin of victory on the road this season while holding the Grizzles to a season low in points and their worst field goal shooting percentage on their home court in franchise history.

“That’s why I said before the game that they’re the best team in the West, maybe the best team in the league right now,” Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins said of the Clippers.

Eric Bledsoe, starting for Paul, had 14 points, and Blake Griffin scored 10.

“We want to be the best team we can, and that’s our goal as the season moves on,” Coach Vinny Del Negro said. “I thought we were lacking a lot, but I thought we played well.”

Zach Randolph had 15 for Memphis. Wayne Ellington added 11 in a rare start in place of Gay, who was excused for his grandmother’s funeral in Baltimore, and Darrell Arthur had 10 as the Grizzlies shot just 30.3 percent (27 of 89).

Sports, Pages 19 on 01/15/2013