Grizzlies rip Clippers to level playoff series

Chauncey Billups (R) of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball while defended by Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies in game four of the Western Conference quarter-finals in the 2013 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 27, 2013 in Memphis, Tennessee. Gasol and Zach Randolph each scored 24 points to power the Memphis Grizzlies over the Los Angeles Clippers 104-83.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph each scored 24 points to power the Memphis Grizzlies over the Los Angeles Clippers 104-83 on Saturday to pull level in their NBA first-round playoff series.

The Grizzlies evened the best-of-seven Western Conference matchup at 2-2, with game five on Tuesday at Los Angeles and game six on Friday at Memphis.

“We’ve got to come out there focused and be ready,” Randolph said.

Spaniard Gasol added 13 rebounds while Randolph grabbed nine and Mike Conley contributed 15 points and 13 assists for the Grizzlies.

“We played at a good pace,” Gasol said. “We were aggressive and moved the ball well side to side.”

Blake Griffin and Chris Paul each scored 19 to lead the Clippers.

Gasol scored 14 third-quarter points, including a baseline jumper at the buzzer that gave Memphis a 71-67 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Memphis’ Quincy Poindexter scored the first five points of the final quarter on two free throws and a 3-pointer for a 76-67 Grizzlies lead.

Jamal Crawford sank a 3-pointer to pull the Clippers within 78-72 but the Grizzlies scored the next 12 points to seize their largest lead to that point at 90-72 and seal the visitors’ fate.

The game was won of two Western Conference contests scheduled for Saturday. The Houston Rockets, trailing Oklahoma City 0-2 in their series, hosted the Thunder.