RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Clippers tried to get away
with using one man to guard Vancouver's Othella Harrington. It
didn't work.
Harrington hit his first eight shots as the Grizzlies took a big
lead early, then held off the Clippers in the closing moments for a
99-91 victory Thursday night.
"You've got to double him and they weren't, so he was doing a
good job making baskets," Grizzlies' teammate Mike Bibby said.
Harrington, who didn't miss until his first shot of the second
half, finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Michael Dickerson added 20 points for the Grizzlies, off to a
2-0 start for the first time since their inaugural NBA season of
1995-96.
"Michael's a great player and it's tough to guard him," said
Harrington, who finished 9-of-13 from the floor. "There's not too
many guys who can keep up with him because of his speed, and he has
a great feel for the game."
Darius Miles, who just turned 19 and was taken by Los Angeles
with the No. 3 pick in the June draft, had some impressive moments
in only his second NBA game.
He finished with 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, had four
rebounds and three assists.
"He did some good things," Los Angeles rookie coach Alvin
Gentry said. "He was aggressive."
The Clippers, the NBA's second youngest team behind Chicago,
showed some spark late, using a 9-0 spurt to close within 92-87
with 53 seconds left after trailing by double digits most of the
way.
But the Clippers got no closer than five, as the Grizzlies made
seven of eight free throws in the final 50 seconds. Although
Vancouver had just 36 field goals, two less than Los Angeles, the
Grizzlies were 22 of 25 from the line to 13 of 20 by the Clippers.
"We were careless with the ball and had a couple of breakdowns
that allowed them to get back in the game," Harrington said.
Lamar Odom's 17 points led the Clippers, who lost their fifth
consecutive home opener. Michael Olowokandi had 16 points and 10
rebounds.
The Grizzlies led by as many as 21 points and were up 77-63
heading into the fourth quarter before Los Angeles rallied.
Harrington scored 16 points in the first half as the Grizzlies
built a 54-41 lead.
Game
notes
Center Bryant Reeves is the last player from the Grizzlies'
inaugural team. ... The Grizzlies have beaten L.A. nine of the last
11 games, dating back to March 1998. ... Los Angeles has five
players under the age of 21, led by Miles, who turned 19 on Oct. 9.
... Unlike the Lakers, who also play at Staples Center, the
Clippers don't draw many celebrities. One of the few recognizable
faces in the crowd for the Clippers' opener was Anaheim Angeles
manager Mike Scioscia. ... The Grizzlies won their home and season
opener 94-88 over Seattle.
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NBA Scoreboard
Vancouver Clubhouse
LA Clippers Clubhouse
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