Memphis Up 2-1 Against Spurs

by terah on 24. Apr, 2011 in Featured

Memphis, Tennessee, USA (NEWSTABULOUS) – The Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph scored 25 points leading them into their first victory on their home-court of their first round playoff 7-game series against the San Antonio Spurs.

He hit a rare 3-point shot with 41.9 seconds left in the game for the win. Game 3 ended 91-88 Saturday night in Memphis.

The Spurs only had an early lead and never by more than 1, their last lead was at 12-11. They fell behind by as much as 15 points before managing to tie it up twice in the final 8:06, the last at 80 on a free throw made by Ginobili.

Parker’s reverse layup brought the Spurs within 88-86 with 1:04 left in the game. The Grizzlies took a timeout, and Randolph looked for an option with the shot clock dwindling down, then he shot the 3-pointer over Duncan’s stretched out arm. The ball fell in with 41.9 seconds left for a 91-86 lead that sparked fans to chant his nickname “Z-Bo, Z-Bo.”

Ginobili hit a pair of free throws with just 31 seconds, but the Spurs couldn’t get a shot off coming up the right side at the end. Duncan tried to call timeout and Ginobili was stopped while trying to pass, but he was too late as the horn sounded, sparking a big celebration.

The Spurs out-rebounded Memphis 48-37, but the Grizzlies had a 44-40 advantage in the paint as they moved the ball inside to Randolph and Gasol. They also had a 17-9 edge on the fast break against the Spurs. The NBA’s best 3-point shooting team was only 2 of 15. Memphis hit 4 of 11, that includes Randolph’s big 3.

The Grizzlies opened the series with an upsetting surprising first playoff win. They have a 2-1 lead over the NBA’s best team during the regular season.

Memphis is on it’s way to being the fourth team to knock off the top-seeded team. They are making history at the Spurs’ expense.

Marc Gasol scored 17 points and Mike Conley added 14. O.J. Mayo scored 10 points off the bench for Memphis.

Manu Ginobili led the Spurs with 23 points and Tony Parker put up 16. Tim Duncan managed to finish with 13.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night in Memphis.

photo: commercialappeal.com