Grizzlies 97 - 107 Spurs
Final
  for this game

Spurs aim to halt rare losing streak, face Grizzlies

Apr 12, 2012 - 2:44 PM (Sports Network) - A rare losing streak has cost San Antonio in its effort to secure the top seed in the Western Conference.

The Spurs still have 10 games left, however, to run down the top-seeded Thunder and will try to get back to their winning ways on Thursday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies, of course, upset San Antonio in the first round of last year's playoffs but the Spurs have rebounded to take three games from Memphis in 2011-12 and will be aiming to swept the season series tonight.

San Antonio had its second 11-game winning streak on the season halted in Salt Lake City on Monday when the Jazz took advantage of Gregg Popovich' plan to rest Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker by recording a 91-84 win.

The Big Three were back on the floor Wednesday against a Kobe Bryant-less Lakers club but Ginobili and Parker struggled in a 98-84 loss, the team's first back-to-back setbacks since Jan. 27-29.

Ginobili has nine points while Parker has just four and shot a dismal 2-of-12 form the floor. Duncan recorded 14 points nut had only two rebounds. Danny Green paced San Antonio with 22 points.

The Spurs remained one game behind Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City, which also lost on Wednesday to the LA Clippers.

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are peaking at the right time, winning their fourth straight with a 104-93 win over Phoenix on Wednesday. Rudy Gay netted 32 points in that one.

Zach Randolph added 17 points and nine rebounds, while O.J. Mayo contributed 15 points and Mike Conley finished with 12 and seven assists for Memphis, which has won nine of 11 overall and sits in the fifth seed of the Western Conference.

"It's all about winning," said Randolph. "Whatever I can do to help the team out, that's what I'm going to do."

Memphis guard Tony Allen, one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, has missed the entire winning streak with a lacerated lip and remains doubtful for tonight.






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