Philippines, 07 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:

  • Mindoro beats Mexican, stays undefeated
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian Government, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán, and the Mexican Márquez Brothers Join Forces for Amateur Boxing Megaproject
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open finals
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026
  • Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 Davao Leg 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 07 Jun 2026
  • Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
    , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026
  • Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • “I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
    , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026
  • Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 04 Jun 2026
  • Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
    , Thu, 04 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.