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Spurs clock Grizzlies as Parker returns

Nov 29, 2008 - 5:07 AM By Brian Guerra PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs won their fourth straight game, holding off the Memphis Grizzlies, 109-98, on Friday.

Six Spurs scored in double figures, including Roger Mason Jr.'s team-high 20 points, 14 of which came in the third quarter.

The game turned midway through the fourth quarter. With Memphis clawing back to 82-79, Manu Ginobili hit a 3-pointer, and George Hill converted a three-point play that gave San Antonio an 88-79 lead with 6:27 left.

"That drains the offense and defense, when they make plays like that," Rudy Gay said. "At that point in the game, you have to be as solid as you can be."

O.J. Mayo, the leader among rookies in scoring, had a game-high 32 points for Memphis, which has lost five straight. Gay added 26 to keep the Grizzlies competitive.

"They're a tough combo to guard," Ginobili said. "And they're going to be even better later in the season."

The three other starters each scored at least 11 points, but their bench was not a factor, mustering only four points, while San Antonio's scored 62.

"Clearly this game was won by their bench," Grizzlies coach Marc Iavoroni said. "I have never seen such a deficit like that before. When you have Ginobili and Tony Parker coming off the bench, it's tough. That's a pretty good bench to start with."

Parker, who missed the last nine games with a left ankle sprain, came off the bench to start the second quarter for San Antonio. He came on strong, hitting his first two shots, while handing out three assists in less than four minutes. He finished with 15 points and seven assists in 17 minutes.

"Anytime you get one of your best players back, it's good," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Tony did a fine job. He moved the basketball well and made great decisions. His rhythm was good. He's back."

Mason agreed.

"It feels great to have both of them back. I think it really makes us a deeper team. Tony didn't really miss a beat tonight, and Manu is getting better and better. We had two All-Stars come off the bench tonight, and I don't think many teams can say that."

Memphis jumped to a 7-2 lead, but faded and started the second quarter trailing 17-16. Though the Grizzlies kept it close, never allowing the Spurs to lead by more than 13, they never recaptured the lead.

"We have to play two halves. In the first half, I think we did a good job of keeping them to one shot," Mayo said. "At the end of the day, I felt we could have won the game, but we had some key turnovers down the stretch."

Ginobili, who finished with 14 points, may have had the play of the game late in the second quarter. He received the ball at the top of the key. Two defenders converged, so he wrapped the ball around his back, and continued his drive to the basket. He then faked a pass to the perimeter, freezing Gay before lofting a high shot off the glass over Marc Gasol. The basket gave San Antonio a 38-32 lead with 3:03 left in the half.

Ginobili led the Spurs in the first half with nine points, pacing the Spurs to a 46-36 halftime lead.

Tim Duncan notched a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

"It was tougher tonight than the first time we played them," Popovich said. "They showed good character coming back after we had our way in Memphis. But we were focused enough in the fourth quarter to get it done."