Chris Kaman had 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Clippers, who won for only the third time in 19 games after consecutive home victories over Memphis and Utah. Among the numerous Clippers sidelined by injuries were Tim Thomas (sore Achilles') and Quinton Ross (sore left foot).

Brevin Knight had 14 points and 11 assists. It was only the second double-digit assist game by the Clippers, who have used seven players at the point guard spot this season because of Shaun Livingston's yearlong rehab from knee surgery. Knight had 12 assists on Feb. 29 in a 110-104 loss at Denver.

Rudy Gay had 23 points and Kyle Lowry added 20 off the bench for the Grizzlies, who are 6-23 since beating the Clippers in overtime at home on Jan. 26.

Through three quarters, Los Angeles was 0-for-13 from 3-point range and the Grizzlies 0-for-10. But Thornton, the 14th overall pick in the draft out of Florida State, connected the Clippers' next two attempts from long-range to pad their lead to 81-71 with 11 minutes to play. Thornton's point total was the highest by a Clipper this season.

Lowry got Memphis as close as seven points on a layup with 6:17 remaining. But the Clippers responded with a 10-2 spurt, which Thornton capped with another 3-pointer to give Los Angeles a 99-84 cushion with 3:47 left.

Coming off a stunning 117-114 upset win in this same building over the Lakers on Friday night, Memphis missed eight of its first nine shots against the Clippers and fell behind by 10 points. The Grizzlies took their first lead, 26-24, on Rudy Gay's dunk with 9:51 left in the second quarter, but Los Angeles went back in front 47-43 by halftime.

Notes: All-Star F Elton Brand, trying desperately to savage something out of this dreadful season for himself and the Clippers, said he hopes to play sometime during the team's two-game trip through Seattle and Sacramento. Brand, who tore his left Achilles' tendon Aug. 3 during a daily workout, and underwent surgery four days later, has been cleared to play by the medical staff - but he's only had one full-court practice with the team because of a lack of healthy players. "We'll have a better feel for it Monday," he said of when he'll play his first game. ... Addressing speculation that he will opt out of his contract, Brand said: "I'm planning to be a part of this team next year. I'm not saying I'm not opting out or am opting out. But negotiation-wise, as long as everything is fair, I expect to be back here. My agent, David Falk, will take care of the arrangements, but that's the goal."