Memphis pass Spurs 4-2 to meet Thunder

"Landep News"

Memphis pass Spurs 4-2 to meet Thunder (Foto: greenwichtime.com)

Grizzlies have reached the next term in the playoffs after eliminating West leaders San Antonio in six games. Memphis beat Popovich’s side 99-91 last night at the FedEx Forum to provide one of the biggest surprises.

Neither Tim Duncan, nor Manu Ginobili could eclipse Zach Randolph’s great performance. Memphis’ star had 31 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Spurs’ cornerstones Ginobili and Duncan scored 28 points together. Marc Gasol, too, was in good shape, finishing his 42-mintue showing with 12 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and one assist.

Star Tony Allen came up with 11 points, four rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block, while Mike Conley and Sam Young added nine points, each. Concerning their bench, Memphis’s reserves brought 27 points. Greivis Vasquez had 11, three rebounds, one assist and one steal, Darrell Arthur eight points and one assist and O.J. Mayo six points, one rebound and one assist.

Finally, Shane Battier, who played 24 minutes, finished the game with two points, seven rebounds, one assist and one block, while Hamed Haddadi, who played just one minute, left scoreless. On coach decision, Ishmael Smith and Leon Powe did not play. Overall, Grizzlies converted just one three-pointer out of nine attempts through Sam Young. Even so, their attack proved to be very efficient.

Memphis won the first quarter by eight points only to be left five behind at the end of the second quarter. Thus, the home side led the favorites 46-43 at the half time as San Antonio were condemned to create at least a four-point advantage. Apparently, this was easy to claim, but things would look totally different within the second part. Memphis edged the leaders 24-23 in the third quarter and managed to stun them 29-25 in the last term. Grizzlies are through as Spurs, who had won 61 games in the regular, pack.

Tony Parker scored 23 points, delivered four assists and picked one rebound. Ginobili’s 34-minute included 16 points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists, while Tim Duncan came up with 12 points, ten rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. Finally, starter Richard Jefferson, who played ten minutes, left scoreless, managing to pick just one rebound.

Spurs’ reserves added 30 points, Matt Bonner bringing nine of them plus two rebounds, one assist and one block. Gary Neal came off the bench to score eight points and grab five rebounds, George Hill six points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block and Tiago Splitter had four points, two rebounds and two steals.

Unlike Memphis, Spurs managed to convert five of 22 three-point attempts, Ginobili and Bonner scoring two, each and Green one. Memphis, who have made the progress thanks to a 4-2 overall result, will next play Oklahoma City Thunder who eased past Denver Nuggets 4-1.

Said Randolph: “Emotion is high, not just for the Memphis Grizzlies but for the whole city of Memphis and the fans. It’s something. It’s a great accomplishment. We’ve got to be happy. We should be happy. But it’s a quick turnaround. We’ve got a game Sunday, and we have to get ready.”

Memphis meet Oklahoma on May 1 in Game 1 of the second round.

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