MondayUtah 81-87 San Antonio Spurs win series 4-0Clippers lead series 3-1LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Clippers’ 10-point lead late in regulation had evaporated, and Blake Griffin stood helplessly at their bench with hands on hips after fouling out in overtime. A building full of red-shirted fans sat nervously, dreading another disaster for a franchise with more than its share.Except Chris Paul wasn’t around for any of the Clippers’ bad times.While everybody else worried, he calmly shepherded his club out of another perilous spot and onto the brink of something big.Paul scored eight of his 27 points in a dynamic overtime performance, and the Clippers moved to the verge of their second playoff series victory in 36 years with a 101-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, taking a 3-1 series lead.“It’s fun, it’s exciting,’’ said Paul, who atoned for his inability to score at the regulation buzzer. Maybe so, but the Clippers were ever so grateful to rely on their All-Star point guard.Griffin had 30 points and seven assists before fouling out with 2:26 left in overtime for the Clippers, who blew an 84-74 lead over the final 4 1/2 minutes of regulation before Paul took charge in the overtime. He played with the same intensity he showed late in regulation, heedlessly flinging himself over the front row of chairs in an attempt to save a loose ball.Game 5 is Wednesday night in Memphis, with Game 6 back at Staples Center on Friday if necessary.
