Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction
They hung in for as long as they could, but in the end, the Memphis Grizzlies just couldn't keep up. They dropped their third straight, this one on the road to the San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio came out of the gates firing, but after an early timeout by Dave Joerger, the Grizzlies managed to claw back into the game soon after. Over the course of each quarter, the Spurs lead seemed to fluctuate between two and 10, though the defending champs managed to expand the lead to its highest point in time for each buzzer.
Memphis positioned itself for a comeback heading into the fourth, despite San Antonio maintaining control most of the way. That was until Kawhi Leonard decided it was time to put the game away—he opened with 15 straight points for the Spurs, handing the team its largest lead of the game, burying the Grizz for good.
Leonard finished one-point shy of a career high with 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Five other Spurs scored at least nine points, including Tiago Splitter who also had eight boards and Tony Parker who had 17 to go along with six assists.
Zach Randolph double-doubled for the Grizzlies, his 35th, ending up with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Marc Gasol was relatively quiet, going for 16 points, six boards and four assists. Mike Conley had just six points, but added nine assists and three steals. Jeff Green had 19 points.
The loss drops Memphis out of second place in the West for the first time in months. If current standings hold, the Grizz would meet the Spurs in a No. 3 versus No. 6 matchup. Memphis next faces off against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, before the schedule toughens with bouts against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans.
San Antonio, now 47-26, is a half-game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the fifth-best record in the West. Their next matchup comes Tuesday in an NBA Finals rematch against the Miami Heat.
