Grizzlies top Spurs in low-scoring contest
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Center Marc Gasol scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 89-74 Monday night at FedExForum.
The Grizzlies (32-22) won for the fifth time in six games, taking advantage of 17 Spurs turnovers that that translated into 19 points. Point guard Mike Conley finished with 12 points and a game-high nine assists, plus two steals and a block.
Power forward Zach Randolph had 15 points and six rebounds off the Memphis bench, and Vince Carter finished with seven points, six rebounds and his first four-block game since April 2009.
The Spurs (39-12) played without forward Kawhi Leonard, sidelined due to a right quad contusion. David Lee led San Antonio with 14 points off the bench. Forward LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, guard Danny Green had 12 points and eight rebounds, and center Dewayne Dedmon grabbed 12 rebounds while scoring two points.
After the game was tied at halftime, Memphis led by as many as eight points in the third quarter. Grizzlies guard Tony Allen scored all nine of his points in the period and made two steals and blocked two shots to help the forge the lead.
The Spurs pulled to within 62-61 with 2:15 left in the quarter on the second of consecutive threes from guard Manu Ginobili (12 points). Memphis carried a 69-65 advantage into the fourth quarter and held the Spurs to nine points in the final frame.
San Antonio shot 36.6 percent from the field and hit 4 of 19 from 3-point range, 21.1 percent. Memphis shot 39.5 percent and also went 4 of 19 from long distance.
Center Brandan Wright chipped in nine points, three rebounds and three blocks for Memphis, and forward JaMychal Green had eight points and seven rebounds.
The first half ended with the scored 40-40 as the Spurs shot 50 percent from the floor. Gasol led the first-half scoring with 10 points.
NOTES: The New England Patriots' comeback from a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI made an impression on Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "It was an amazing display of mental toughness and execution," he said. "The discipline was thrilling." ... Memphis C Marc Gasol averaged 22.7 points in his previous 10 games. ... Before Monday's game, the Spurs were 39-11, equaling their third-best record through 50 games. They were also 20-5 on the road to match the third-best record in league history through the first 25 road games. ... The Grizzlies just completed a 4-2 road trip, the first time in the Memphis era they finished a road trip of six or more games with a record of .500 or better.