Memphis Grizzlies defeat San Antonio Spurs 111-104
The Memphis Grizzlies shot 55 percent from the floor to overcome the San Antonio Spurs 111–104 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on Sunday evening. Zach Randolph and Tony Allen scored 23 points apiece, as the Grizzlies dominated the Spurs throughout the game
to condemn them to their third straight-loss.
There was another scare for the Spurs on Sunday when Manu Ginobili ran into Marc Gasol and hurt his left quadricep. The referee didn’t call a foul either way as Ginobili lay on the floor. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, furious with the call, rushed out onto
the floor and was subsequently ejected from the game. The Spurs have now lost all three games since Tim Duncan was sidelined with an ankle sprain.
Spurs guard Tony Parker said of the injuries, "We don't have time to worry about that. Timmy is not coming back anytime soon, so we just have to keep playing and make sure we pound that rock. Hopefully, it will go our way."
Parker ended up with 20 points and six assists to steady things a bit in the absence of Duncan and Ginobili. The first 12 minute period was evenly contested, as the Grizzlies held a one-point lead at the end of it.
In what could be a preview of their first round playoff match-up, the Grizzlies played the league-leading Spurs in front of a packed arena and came out on top. The Grizzlies have now won four of their last five games, including a win over Boston and an impressive
showing in a loss to the surging Bulls on Friday.
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said after the game." Coming into this week there were a lot of teams beneath us that were looking at us in Boston as a loss, and probably looking at us in Chicago as a loss, and San Antonio as a loss, so to get two out of
three, we put a little crinkle in their paper. That's what it's all about, going out there and competing every night.'"
Memphis stepped on the gas in the second quarter and outscored the Spurs 31–27. George Hill had 11 points in the period to lead the Spurs’ charge, as Memphis held on to a 55–50 lead at half time.
Parker opened the third period with a layup and went on to score 13 points in the quarter. Tony Allen added 10 points of his own in the quarter to buoy the Memphis offence and keep them up 81-77 heading into the final period. Tony Allen went 9-of-10 from
the floor to add 23 points for the Grizzlies. Memphis played like a team and passed the ball around well, as six of its players registered double-figures.
George Hill had a stellar performance off the bench for San Antonio, as he went 9-of-12 from the field and scored 30 points to lead all scorers. Hill also went 11-of-12 from the charity stripe to make up for Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili’s absence.
The Spurs started the fourth quarter with an unanswered 7-point run before O.J. Mayo responded by scoring eight-straight points for the Grizzlies. Zach Randolph then followed it up with a good showing late in the post as he added 11 points in the quarter
to shoulder the scoring responsibility and counter another big quarter from George Hill. Memphis went on a 22-10 spurt to close out the game and seal the win.
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