LOS ANGELES (AP) — The stubborn Memphis Grizzlies aren't the only obstacles in the Los Angeles Clippers' path to closing out a rare playoff series victory. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are banged-up heading into Game 6, and Caron Butler continues to play with a broken left hand.
The Clippers could have earned some much-needed rest with a win in Game 5 Wednesday night. Instead, they lost 92-80, forcing the series back home to Staples Center with a second chance to clinch just the third playoff series win in franchise history on Friday night.
Griffin was scheduled to have an MRI on his sprained left knee Thursday, when the Clippers didn't practice. Paul has a strained right hip flexor and a jammed middle finger, but he says he plans to play Friday.
The Clippers lead the best-of-7 series 3-2.
