Philippines, 26 Jan 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:

  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Donaire back in Cebu
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 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.