Grizzlies force series to game 6

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - Agence France-Presse

Memphis Grizzlies center Gasol reacts to a foul being called against him. AP photo

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated Los Angeles to stave off elimination as they posted a 92-80 win over the Clippers who were given a scare when star Blake Griffin appeared to hurt his knee.

The tightly contested first round Western Conference series now goes back to Los Angeles for game six tonight where the Grizzlies will try to send it to a game seven.

“We did a good job of executing and playing defense down the stretch,” said Memphis center Marc Gasol.

“My teammates were looking for me and once I got the ball I just took it to the basket.

“Now we will go back to LA and get ready for a battle.” Gasol had 23 points, Zach Randolph added 19 and 10 rebounds and Rudy Gay finished with 14 points for the Grizzlies, who trail in the series three games to two.

Mo Williams scored 20 points for the Clippers who last won a playoff series in 2006, when they defeated the Denver Nuggets in the first round. The Clippers haven’t been to the playoffs since.