NBA Playoffs 2011: Zach Randolph Helps the Grizzlies Make Franchise History

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November 1948- Elvis Presley moves from Tupelo, MS, to Memphis.

September 1959- Stax/Satellite Records release its first R&B record.

April 23, 2011- The Memphis Grizzlies win their first home playoff game.

If you let that last fact soak in, you can fully understand why Grizzlies star Zach Randolph was caught dancing and singing as DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” blared from the FedEx Forum rafters. The 91-88 win over San Antonio was literally music to Memphis’ ears. It was a burden-lifting, critic-defying, series-shifting victory folks along Beale Street won’t forget for a very long time.

But for all the smiling the Grizzlies are probably doing right now about a 2-1 series advantage over the Spurs, it almost didn’t happen. San Antonio out-rebounded Memphis 48-37 and got a solid all-around effort from Manu Ginobili, who had 23 points and five rebounds. Even in the game’s waning moments, the Spurs had a chance to tie things up. Ginobili worked his way to the three-point line for a last-second heave, but with Memphis’ smothering perimeter D, it wasn’t meant to be.

Memphis will try to write even more franchise history with a Game 4 win at home on Monday.

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