Spurs put end to Grizzlies’ comeback
SAN ANTONIO — Kawhi Leonard had a postseason career-high 37 points and added 11 rebounds and San Antonio Spurs held on to beat Memphis 96-82 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in the first round of their NBA Western Conference playoff series.
San Antonio led for all but 13 seconds in winning its 10th consecutive postseason game over Memphis.
Leonard finished the game 9 for 14 from the field and was 19 for 19 on free throws.
Tony Parker added 15 points for the Spurs, who had three others score at least 10 points. Danny Green had 12 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 11.
Mike Conley scored 24 points, Zach Randolph had 18 points and Marc Gasol added 12 points for the Grizzlies.
Game 3 is Thursday night in Memphis.
The Grizzlies forced seven turnovers while outscoring the Spurs 34-19 in the opening 16 minutes of the second half, with Conley, Gasol and Randolph accounted for 21 points.
Memphis closed within 7571 early in the fourth quarter, but San Antonio responded with three-pointers by Parker and Pau Gasol to rebuild their double-digit lead and pull away to victory.
San Antonio had a better start in this one than in Game 1, and Leonard made sure of it.
Leonard opened the game by making his first three shots and four free throws as the Spurs opened up a 13-point lead, the same deficit they faced in the opening period Saturday.
But unlike Game 1, there was no coming back from that deficit for Memphis.
San Antonio had a 26-point lead in the first half on the strength of its outside shooting. The Spurs only had 12 points in the paint, but got two three-pointers from Parker and Green, in building their huge lead.
The Grizzlies, though, fought back but faltered late to fall into a 2-0 hole in the series.
Memphis, however, was 2-0 at home against San Antonio in the regular season, winning both games by an 11-point average. Forward Tony Allen also remains out with a right calf injury for the Grizzlies, and Memphis Coach David Fizdale is still unsure if Allen will return in the opening round.