Philippines, 18 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA PLAYOFFS -- Clippers go for 1st round KO in Memphis


PhilBoxing.com




LOS ANGELES -- With the steady hands of point guard Chris Paul on deck, the LA Clippers have not only stayed afloat in the rough waters of these NBA playoffs, they are thriving it in, leading the Memphis Grizzlies 3-1 in their best-of-7 series.

The Clippers are 48 minutes away from getting through the second round and winning the right to face the No.1 seeded San Antonio Spurs, who recently swept the Utah Jazz, 4-0.

But first things first. A Game 5 against Memphis still needs to be won and with the Grizzlies hosting that duel Wednesday night at the FedEx Forum, the Clippers are in for bigger and nastier waves.

"The close-out game is the toughest one, especially in their place," prolific Clippers point guard Chris Paul told the Associated Press.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Paul, a six-year pro, is averaging 23.5 points and 8.7 assists per game in the series. He sizzled for 27 points and 9 assists as the Clips captured Game 4 in overtime, 101-97, at Staples Center Monday night.

For LA to advance, it will also need a lot of heavy-lifting from power forward Blake Griffin. Playing in his first ever playoffs series, the 6-foot-10, 251-pound Griffin has risen well to the ocassion, scoring 86 games and grabbing 25 rebounds in four games.

And while the Clippers clearly have momentum on their side, the Grizzlies, who as a No.8 seed upset the No.1 seeded San Antonio Spurs in last year's playoffs, have a lot of fight left in them.

Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley pondered on the tough task ahead as his team faces an uphill climb out of a 3-1 hole. "We've got to give everything we got regardless if guys are happy, if guys are not. You have to play for one another and understand that winning is all that matters at this point. It doesn't matter how we do it. It doesn't matter who steps up or who doesn't. We have to win."

The FedEx Forum hasn't been much of a homecourt advantage for the Grizzlies in this opening round series so far. They squandered a 27-point lead which led to a heartbreaking 99-98 loss in Game 1. And they barely survived Game 2, 105-98.

Sharpshooter Rudy Gay, who is averaging a team-high 23.7 points per game in the series, figures to carry much of Memphis' offensive load for Game 5.

The Grizzlies will also need a boost from big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who have combined for a total of 91 points and 57 rebounds in the series. (Ryan Medida)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Medida.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Torre to grace Gov. Oaminal Chess Festival
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • "Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Backs RP Blu Girls' Intensive Japan Training Camp Ahead of Women's Softball World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Digos 2 Malita 70km Ultramarathon on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Campbell son of Ricky Hatton confirms ring return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Deaño to fight for ABF super feather title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Former champ Andy Ruiz could return against Huggie Fury in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 15 Jun 2026
  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.