Grizzlies win to force Game 7 vs. Clippers

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

Marc Gasol scored 23 points, Zach Randolph had 18 points and 16 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzles rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 90-88 Friday night, forcing a decisive seventh game in the series.

Rudy Gay and Mike Conley added 13 points each to help the Grizzlies win for the first time in the Western Conference series at Staples Center.

Blake Griffin scored 17 points despite a sprained left knee that limited his jumping ability, and Eric Bledoe added 14 off the bench to lead the Clippers, who blew an eight-point lead in the fourth along with a second consecutive chance to close out what would have been a landmark playoff victory for the beleaguered franchise.

Chris Paul scored 11 points playing with a strained right hip flexor and a jammed right middle finger. Game 7 will be Sunday in Memphis.

JAMES POISED TO WIN MVP

MIAMI

Heat forward LeBron James is the NBA’s MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game’s all-time greats.

A source told The Associated Press that James will be announced today as this year’s winner of the league’s top individual honor, and that he’ll be formally presented with the trophy by Commissioner David Stern on Sunday afternoon before Miami plays hosts Indiana in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series.

James is winning the award for the third time in four seasons.