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Randolph couldn't have agreed more. "You got to have somebody to open it up," Randolph said. "(Teams) understand how much damage and how much problems me and Marc (Gasol) cause in the paint. We got to fix that." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Zach Randolph 

The Griz closed Game 6 on a 22-12 run to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 90-88, on Friday night in Staples Center. There will be a Game 7 on Sunday in FedExForum at noon as the Griz tied the series by winning consecutive games and for the first time on the road in this series. Instead of faltering down the stretch as they had all series, the Griz stunned the Clippers by erasing an eight-point, fourth-quarter deficit. Memphis did all of the little things. The Griz got steals, offensive rebounds and made it nearly impossible for the Clippers to score at the rim. Center Marc Gasol led the Griz with 23 points, and Zach Randolph added 18 points and 16 rebounds. They were again the catalyst for powering the Griz toward extending the series. “It just being physical,” Randolph said of winning the battle inside. “And it was having it in our minds that it was going to be 48 minutes of pushing and shoving.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol 

Marc Gasol: Haven't done anything yet but it feels good to go home for game 7! After the game with @MacBo50 leavin #believememphis http://t.co/jS3L7BEM Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol 

Arash Markazi: Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph joked that they were injured too and took a cart to the team bus. http://instagr.am/p/Kg7HgewCxM/ Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol 

Naturally, Grizz coach Lionel Hollins was asked why he abandoned the inside-out approach down the stretch. His response was just as inexplicable as his decision to keep his best perimeter defender (Tony Allen) on the bench for almost all of the fourth quarter while the Clippers made a run. "If [Randolph and Gasol] took seven shots and made none [in the second half], that should tell you why we went away from it," said Hollins, who is too smart to genuinely believe something so dumb. I mean, the man who outcoached San Antonio's Gregg Popovich last postseason can't seriously think it's wise to go away from Randolph and Gasol -- the only two Grizzlies who have ever been All-Stars as Grizzlies -- because they missed their first seven shots of the second half when he spent Monday designing countless plays for Gay, who missed 17 of the 25 shots he attempted. So I'm just gonna chalk that answer up to Hollins choosing to be difficult. Otherwise, I'd have to rip a coach after a huge win, and I'd rather not do that because I'd rather look ahead. CBSSports.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Lionel Hollins 

Baxter Holmes: "It's not 100, but I'm good enough where I can be productive." - Z-Bo on his knee after his first double-double (19, 10) of the series Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Injuries 

Wilson Chandler: Zbo not 100 from that knee injury Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Wilson Chandler, Injuries 

So, Grizzlies, did you sleep after that one? "No," said Mike Conley. "No," said Zach Randolph. "No," said O.J. Mayo. "I watched the game two times." What, and hoped for a better ending maybe? "I was praying for one," he said. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley 

Zach Randolph will start at power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies in their first-round Game 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night. "It's something I'm used to," Randolph said of being in the starting lineup. "I'm close to (100 percent). I'm still getting my feel, getting my timing, but I'm close." He missed 38 games in the regular season after tearing his medial collateral ligament (MCL) on New Years Day. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph 

Coach Lionel Hollins went into the Grizzlies' 88-76 win over the Orlando Magic in the teams' regular-season finale intending to judge Randolph's effectiveness. Hollins reinserted Randolph into the starting lineup, and the veteran power forward played as though he had something to prove. The verdict? Randolph looked inspired and lively offensively and on the boards, and a bit challenged defensively. But he expects to start when the Griz host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday for the start of their first-round playoff series. If that happens -- and Hollins remains noncommittal -- then the expectation is for Randolph to be the consistent force he was against Orlando. "He was good. He was active and aggressive," Hollins said, joking that Randolph "probably leads the league in getting his shot blocked. But he was good. He has to be better in pick-and-roll defense. But it was a solid performance." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph 

Questions continue to fly about Randolph’s role coming off the bench, and how long the Grizzlies’ big man will accept it. Hollins praised Randolph’s production and improved conditioning. Randolph looks stronger and more active with every passing day. He was difficult for the Suns to handle in the post, especially down the stretch when the Griz went with a steady diet of Randolph on offense. Hollins said he spoke with Randolph about why playing off the bench helps balance this roster. Hollins likes Randolph paired with O.J. Mayo and Gilbert Arenas for offensive potency and an inside-out presence off the bench. “It’s all about winning,” Randolph said. “As long as we’re winning, that’s all that matters.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph 

The Grizzlies’ power forward complained of minor back soreness but wasn’t seriously injured. That’s more than he could say for that Challenger given its rear end was smashed and all but detached. So Randolph cranked up a different set of wheels in order to make the Grizzlies’ 94-85 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers before 17,219 in FedExForum. “I drove my Rolls,” Randolph said, referring to his Rolls-Royce. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph 

J. Michael Falgoust: Z-Bo's daughter keeps yelling for Marc Gasol as he gets ready to check in...he turns around and gives her the eyebrow #Grizzlies #nba Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph 

Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph was involved in a car accident this morning and did not participate in the team’s shootaround. Asked via text if he is OK, Randolph replied: “Yes. My back is just a little sore.” A preliminary Memphis Police Department report stated that Randolph was driving his 2011 Dodge Charger westbound on the 385 exit ramp toward 240 when his vehicle was struck in the rear by a 2000 Honda CRV. There were no visible injuries on the scene and no one was transported in an ambulance. The driver of the Honda received a citation for Failure to Maintain a Safe Lookout. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph 

Zach Randolph: I am OK! Just a little whip lash... CRAZY morning but thank GOD no one got hurt! Thanks for all ur Concern n Support!#GriZZNation Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph 

Randolph said doctors have told him his knee is fully healed. He practiced for the first time a week ago and admitted he was a little worried that he could re-injure the knee if he fell hard. He’s never been known for his athleticism – his game is largely floor-bound – but said he needs to lose some weight and regain his conditioning. He would prefer to come off the bench and play limited minutes while he gets into shape. “The owner [Michael Heisley] told me, ‘Don’t rush it,’ ” Randolph said. “He told me to come back when I feel like it, when I’m ready. That’s all I need. The coach [Lionel Hollins] is the same way.” Yahoo! Sports

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Injuries 

Last year, the Grizzlies figured out how to win without Rudy Gay. This year, they’ve figured out how to win without Zach Randolph. Tuesday, though, was something new altogether: No Zach or Rudy. “We don’t make excuses,” said Marc Gasol. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol 

Ronald Tillery: Z-bo says return IS NOT imminent. However, he continues to make progress. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Injuries 

J. Michael Falgoust: Zach Randolph will be with #Grizzlies during 3-game road trip starting at Golden State on Wed #nba Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Injuries 

I’m not a car guy. The best thing I’ve ever driven — aside from my grandma’s Cadillac once — is a used Chevy TrailBlazer which I wrecked while driving to a basketball game my wife was coaching. When it comes to vehicles, the best thing I can offer you is “That looks cool” or “That’s a weird-looking car.” That’s the extent of my car knowledge. But when it comes to Zach Randolph’s cars, I can confidently state, “That looks cool and also very funy.” In a late summer Rides magazine profile of Randolph’s fleet, he goes on and on about his donks. Chromed-out everything, stupid-loud sound systems that give you a headache just looking at them and custom Z-Bo detailing — they’re the perfect Zach Randolph cars. Giant cars for a giant man, all falling somewhere between hilarious and amazing thanks to a number of mind-blowingly expensive upgrades. The Score

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph