Spurs 88 - 91 Grizzlies
Final
  for this game

Spurs visit Memphis for pivotal Game 3

Apr 23, 2011 - 2:37 PM (Sports Network) - A split in the Alamo City has set the stage for a pivotal Game 3 in the shadow of Beale Street on Saturday as the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs and upstart Memphis Grizzlies renew hostilities in their Western Conference quarterfinals set.

Manu Ginobili scored 17 points in his return to the lineup on Wednesday, as San Antonio held off the pesky Grizzlies, 93-87, to even the series.

"Everyone knows the kind of competitor Manu is. He hasn't really played in a while so I was real impressed," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

The Grizzlies shocked the Spurs, 101-98, for their first ever postseason win in the opener of the best- of-seven series last Sunday. Ginobili, who sat out that game because of a right elbow sprain and played with a brace on Wednesday, added seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in Game 2.

"[The elbow] didn't bother me much. The brace is a bulky thing," Ginobili said. "It was a little uncomfortable, but I did okay, took some risks, went for steals and rebounds. Overall I felt better than expected."

"He's a very tough guy to guard and tough guy to scheme for," Memphis guard Mike Conley said of Ginobili. "He uses his body well and it's tough to stop him."

Tim Duncan and Richard Jefferson both scored 16 points with Duncan grabbing 10 rebounds. Tony Parker had 12 points and seven assists, including a couple of big passes that led to critical baskets in the fourth quarter.

Zach Randolph, fresh off signing a multi-year contract extension Wednesday, battled foul trouble throughout the game and was limited to 11 points on 5- of-14 shooting.

"They went after [Randolph] and attacked him defensively every time he put the ball on the floor," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said.

Sam Young led the way with 17 points for the Grizzlies, who were limited to 39.8 percent shooting from the field. That's a sharp contrast to the 55.2 percent from Game 1's victory.

Marc Gasol had 12 points and a playoff team-record 17 rebounds in defeat. Tony Allen had 15 points and Conley 13.

"They were very physical and Manu attacked every time he put the ball on the floor," Hollins said. "Regardless of what they did, I thought our team battled. We made too many mistakes on offense, took too many quick shots."

The teams split four games in the regular season. In their only previous postseason meeting the Spurs swept the Grizz in four games back in the 2004 playoffs.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night, also in Memphis.






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