Fizdale's Grizzlies finally tackle Spurs

Memphis guard Mike Conley (right) tries to get around San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard during Game 3 of their NBA Western Conference playoff series Thursday. The Grizzlies led by as many as 22 points in beating the Spurs 105-94.
Memphis guard Mike Conley (right) tries to get around San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard during Game 3 of their NBA Western Conference playoff series Thursday. The Grizzlies led by as many as 22 points in beating the Spurs 105-94.

MEMPHIS -- Mike Conley scored 24 points and had eight assists as the Memphis Grizzlies snapped a 10-game postseason skid against San Antonio by routing the Spurs 105-94 on Thursday night.

The Grizzlies pulled within 2-1 in this first-round Western Conference series, giving first-year Coach David Fizdale his first postseason victory. This also marked the Grizzlies' first victory over the Spurs in the playoffs since April 2011, when Memphis beat San Antonio in six games.

Game 4 is Saturday night.

Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph each scored 21 points for Memphis, which outscored San Antonio 31-17 in the third quarter and led by as much as 22 in the second half.

Kawhi Leonard, who scored 32 and 37 in the first two games, was held to 18. LaMarcus Aldridge added 16, and Kyle Anderson had 15 as Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich benched his starters for most of the fourth quarter.

Memphis fans roared when Fizdale came onto the court before the game following his rant against officiating in Game 2, which cost him a $30,000 fine from the NBA. And they stayed on their feet much of the night, funneling their frustration into yelling for the Grizzlies and against the officials.

The Spurs had a big edge at the line in the first half (10 of 15) compared to the Grizzlies, who took only four free throws the entire first half. The crew of James Capers, Courtney Kirkland and Pat Fraher whistled the Spurs for only one foul in the second quarter -- with 10.9 seconds left.

Randolph scored 11 points in the second quarter, and the Grizzlies took a 50-46 lead into halftime. Then they really took control, opening the third by hitting 10 of their first 14 shots. They also played much better defense, harassing the Spurs into missing 11 of their first 17 in the quarter.

Fizdale stuck with the lineup that worked in the second half of Game 2 when Memphis outscored the Spurs 45-40 despite losing. That meant Randolph and James Ennis both started.

It was just the sixth start for Randolph, who had 19 double-doubles off the bench during the regular season. He scored 11 points in the second quarter and even had a rare dunk.

The Spurs have dominated the postseason against Memphis, sweeping all three of the series San Antonio won with the exception of 2011. The third game of each series has been tight with three decided by single digits, and Game 3 of the 2013 West finals went to overtime before the Spurs won 104-93.

The Grizzlies' lone victory in that span in the third game of any series with San Antonio came in 2011 when they won in six games.

Sports on 04/21/2017

Upcoming Events