--The Clippers had their first encounter with their former defensive ace, Quinton Ross, who currently is coming off the bench and playing 20-plus minutes a game for the Memphis Grizzlies. Ross did a brief reunion session with his former teammates, then stung them with a solid all-around performance in 23 minutes off the bench.
--Memphis was able to handle the Clippers, despite having two rookies -- Darrell Arthur and O.J. Mayo -- in the starting lineup. Although the Clippers got beat up badly on the boards, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy declined to use seven-foot rookie center DeAndre Jordan or veteran forward-center Brian Skinner. --If the Clippers continue to shoot bricks at the free-throw line, their chances of winning close games will be reduced. It was another typically bad night at the foul line against Memphis, as the Clippers missed six of their 18 tries. It is difficult to understand why point guard Baron Davis is not a better free-throw shooter because he has nice shooting fundamentals. However, Davis is shooting under 80 percent from the line and against the Grizzlies, he missed three of his eight attempts.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We just got killed on the boards. Their size really hurt us." -- Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, in the aftermath of the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
