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Parker, Spurs edge Grizzlies in OT for eighth straight win

Dec 19, 2010 - 5:43 AM San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) - Tony Parker finished with a season-high 37 points and nine assists to lead the red-hot San Antonio Spurs to a 112-106 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Parker was 15-of-21 from the field to tie the fifth-highest regular season scoring output of his career for the Spurs, who have won eight straight and hold the league's best record at 23-3.

"We're excited about the overtime win, and I thought we did a great job of hanging in there and continuing to play on a night when mentally, I thought we were very subpar," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popvich.

Manu Ginobili added 15 points and nine assists, while Tim Duncan had 13 points and 10 boards for San Antonio, which is 24-6 all-time against the Grizzlies.

O.J. Mayo scored 27 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost two straight after a four-game win streak. Zach Randolph was a big presence down low with 24 points and a season-best 21 rebounds in defeat.

"Our guys came out and played hard," said Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. "We took them into overtime, and we had a couple of turnovers."

Parker's front-end free throw with 1:25 left gave the Spurs a 100-95 lead, but he missed his second attempt, which proved to be costly.

Mayo's layup with a minute left pulled Memphis within three, and Parker's 11-footer was off the mark with a chance to seal the Spurs' win. The Grizzlies capitalized on their opportunity, as Mayo drilled a three-pointer with 21.6 seconds left.

San Antonio held for the final shot, and Duncan passed from the lane to Richard Jefferson, whose 12-foot jumper fell short of the hoop as time expired.

The Spurs, though, jumped in front in the overtime with eight of the first 11 points. Memphis missed all but two of its seven shots, while San Antonio went 5-of-8 from the field in the extra session.

Jefferson's dunk with two minutes left gave the Spurs a 108-103 lead, and they led by at least four the rest of the way.

Memphis got out to a 31-28 lead after the first quarter, but San Antonio went ahead, 53-49, at halftime. The Spurs strengthened their lead in the third, outscoring the Grizzlies by five for an 80-71 advantage heading into the fourth.

The visitors began the fourth quarter on a 15-4 run to move ahead. Sam Young had five points during the stretch, and Randolph's layup provided an 86-84 lead.

San Antonio moved back in front quickly and held a five point lead with 1:25 to play.

Game Notes

Both teams scored 21 points off turnovers...The game featured nine lead changes and nine ties...Randolph grabbed 10 offensive rebounds...Memphis went 8-for-14 from beyond the arc, including a 5-for-8 effort from Mayo...Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay was suspended for this game for his flagrant foul against Houston's Luis Scola.