NBA: Memphis Grizzlies edge Los Angeles Clippers to force a Game 7

Marc Gasol scored 23 points, Zach Randolph had 18 points and 16 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzles rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the host Los Angeles Clippers 90-88 on Friday night, forcing a decisive seventh game in the series.

Rudy Gay and Mike Conley added 13 points each to help the Grizzlies win for the first time in the Western Conference series at Staples Center.

Blake Griffin scored 17 points despite a sprained left knee that limited his jumping ability, and Eric Bledsoe added 14 off the bench to lead the Clippers, who blew an eight-point lead in the fourth along with a second consecutive chance to close out what would have been a landmark playoff victory for the beleaguered franchise.

Chris Paul scored 11 points playing with a strained right hip flexor and a jammed right middle finger.

The Clippers are seeking just the third playoff series win in franchise history. Game 7 will be Sunday in Memphis.

Only eight teams in NBA history have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a seven-game series. Top-seeded San Antonio awaits the winner in the conference semifinals.

Tied 66-all starting the fourth, the Clippers scored 10 straight to take their first lead since the game's opening minutes. Bledsoe scored six points.

But the Grizzlies weren't done.

They went on a 17-4 run, including 10 straight points, to take an 85-80 lead. Gay scored five in a row as the Clippers missed and Randolph cameup with a big block.

Heat: Miami forward LeBron James is the NBA's MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game's all-time greats.

A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that James will be announced Saturday as this year's winner of the league's top individual honor, and that he'll be formally presented with the trophy by Commissioner David Stern on Sunday afternoon before Miami hosts Indiana in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Only seven other players -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone -- have at least three MVP trophies.

Nuggets: An attorney for Chris "Birdman" Andersen says he believes the allegations that led to a search of the Denver player's home this week involve a spurned female fan. Denver attorney M. Colin Bresee confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday a statement he gave to the Denver Post, saying the woman asked Andersen for "financial remuneration" after traveling to Colorado last year.

Bresee's statement says he expects that a Douglas County sheriff's task force that investigates allegations of cybercrime against children will find no criminal wrongdoing by Andersen. Bresee also said he expects the investigation will take about three weeks.

Blake Griffin, Chris Paul injured

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin sprained his left knee, while guard Chris Paul suffered a strained right hip flexor and jammed the middle finger on his right hand in the Clippers' 92-80 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Griffin went down after a hard foul from Grizzlies center Marc Gasol with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter and the Clippers trailing 75-58. Griffin lay on the ground for a few moments, grasping his left knee while surrounded by his teammates, coaches and team trainers.

"It was just kind of a weird play," Griffin said. "My foot got caught under me, and I kind of came down wrong. It was scary at first."

Griffin stayed in the game to shoot free throws and for the remainder of the quarter before being treated on the bench at the start of the fourth quarter.

"Our chiropractor did some stuff and it felt a little better, but then as I was out there more -- I don't want to say it got worse and worse, but it started to stiffen up," Griffin said. "The good thing is there's not much swelling." Griffin checked back into the game at the 8:56 mark of the fourth quarter and was able to play the rest of the game until the closing seconds. He finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes.

In October 2009, Griffin broke his patella on the same knee and was lost for the 2009-10 regular season. He described this incident as a different sensation, although one that felt serious when he landed.

"I'd never felt that before," Griffin said. "The pain scares you the most, not because it hurts, but because you don't know what's wrong."

He will undergo an MRI on Thursday and be evaluated.

Paul jammed the middle finger on his right hand in the first quarter before straining his right hip flexor in the fourth quarter.

"I felt a little sharp pain in my leg," Paul said. "I'll be all right."

Paul held his midsection for several possessions in the final minutes of the game before checking out with 1:24 remaining and the Clippers trailing by eight.

"I was trying to go, but I couldn't," Paul said. "I wanted to, tried to."

Paul also will be evaluated Thursday.

Game 6 between Los Angeles and Memphis is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN. The Clippers lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.