Teams could meet to open playoffs
SAN ANTONIO — The Memphis Grizzlies got into the Spurs defensively, pushing San Antonio around and making every possession a fierce fight.
The Spurs enjoyed it, especially their defensive-minded coach.
LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points and Kawhi Leonard 19 as San Antonio beat Memphis 97-90 on Thursday in a possible first-round playoff preview.
“It’s good for the team and myself that we’re seeing this early instead of being hit in the playoffs,” Leonard said.
San Antonio opened a four-game homestand by moving two games behind idle Golden State for the league’s best record. The Spurs (55-16) close the homestand against the Warriors (57-14) next Wednesday.
Memphis (40-32) is seventh in the Western Conference, which would result in a first-round matchup with San Antonio if the standings remain.
Mike Conley had 22 points and six assists for Memphis, which fell 1½ games behind Oklahoma City for sixth place.
Marc Gasol, who had 13 points, was the only other Grizzlies scorer in double figures.
San Antonio lost the first two meet- NBA ings, both in Memphis, by a combined 23 points.
“They were more clear on their plan defensively,” said Marc Gasol, who outscored his brother, Pau, by four points.
Mavericks 97, Clippers 95 — At Dallas, Harrison Barnes made the go-ahead basket with 1:06 left for the game’s 11th lead change and then stole the ball from Blake Griffin with 3.9 seconds left as Dallas halted Los Angeles’ three-game win streak. Barnes and Griffin each scored 21 points.
Raptors 101, Heat 84 — At Miami, DeMar DeRozan scored 40 points for Toronto, which overcame a 15-point deficit and didn’t lead until late in the third quarter in its 19th double-digit comeback of the season.
Trail Blazers 110, Knicks 95 — At Portland, Ore., Damian Lillard scored 30 points for Portland, which never trailed and moved within one game of Denver for the West’s eighth and final playoff spot.
Nets 126, Suns 98 — At New York, Brook Lopez scored 19 points for Brooklyn, which overcame Devin Booker’s 28 points to post consecutive victories for the first time this season.