The story appears on

Page A15

May 15, 2012

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Sports » Basketball

Clippers advance, James stars

THE Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 82-72 on Sunday to reach the second round of the NBA playoffs while the Miami Heat, led by MVP LeBron James, took another step toward the title they are expected to win by defeating Indiana in their series opener.

James and Dwyane Wade combined for 61 points as Miami beat the Indiana Pacers 95-86 but they lost forward Chris Bosh to an abdominal injury in the second quarter.

Chris Paul shook off an ailing hip to register 19 points for the Clippers, who reached the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in six years.

They set up a second round showdown with the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs, starting in Texas today.

Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol each scored a team-high 19 points for the Grizzlies who rallied from a 1-3 series deficit to force the winner-takes-all decider in Memphis.

The Grizzlies led by a point heading into the fourth quarter but Los Angeles went on an 11-2 run at the start of the period to seize control in a physical game.

Bodies collided and players clashed during a tough contest that saw both teams shoot poorly but the Clippers find a way to prevail, helped by 41 points from their bench.

In Miami, James hoisted the MVP trophy he was awarded on Saturday to the crowd before the game. Then, he lifted the Heat to victory, scoring 32 points and making 15 rebounds.

Wade added 29 for Miami who lost Bosh early. The Pacers led by six at halftime but failed to consolidate their advantage as the Heat assumed control.





 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend