INGLEWOOD — This was how the Clippers were expected to perform when the season began, before injuries took a toll and long before the pieces began to fit.

For the first time in weeks, the Clippers played aggressive defense, disrupting more than a dozen layups and tip-ins, got double-digit scoring from each of their top two stars and limited their opponents to five fast-break points.

That long-awaited inspired play lasted for all of 24 minutes, as the Clippers faded in the second half and lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 112-107, on Friday night in their first game back at the Intuit Dome after a seven-game trip.

The loss, their sixth straight on their home court, eliminated the Clippers from NBA Cup play. They could have potentially qualified for the knockout round with a win and other fa

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