This time, the Memphis Grizzlies did not collapse and let the Los Angeles Clippers take a first-round playoff series win. This time, O.J. Mayo scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and Grizzlies earned a 105-98 victory at home that evened the series at 1-1.
The questions about how Memphis would respond to blowing a 27-point lead in Game 1, including a 21-point advantage entering the fourth quarter, were answered all game, but especially in the final period. It was then that the Grizzlies in general and Mayo in particular buckled down.
”That was tough to lose in the fashion we did, then have to sit there and watch it on ESPN every day and the miraculous comeback and that stuff,” said Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay, who had 20 points. ”That’s what kind of had us come in here and play like we did. We didn’t have any lapses like we did before.”
All-star guard Chris Paul scored 29 points for L.A., which hosts Games 3 and 4.