NBA: Gritty Grizzlies collapse in OT as Spurs take 3-0 lead

The San Antonio Spurs came back from being down 18 in the first quarter to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime, 104-93, to take a 3-0 lead in their Western Conference finals series on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Spurs are now a win away from the Finals, after beating their foes in San Antonio 105-83, and 93-89 (OT).

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 26 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals, though he also had seven turnovers. Tim Duncan was the steady presence in the paint for San Antonio, posting 24 points on an 11-of-19 shooting clip, including seven points in overtime.

Manu Ginobili came off the bench to score 19 points with seven rebounds and five assists, while Tiago Splitter had a perfect night, going 5-of-5 from the field for 11 points.

A split by Tony Allen gave Memphis an 83-82 lead heading into the final two minutes of the game, before Manu Ginobilli hit a lay-up off a timeout with 79 seconds to go. Marc Gasol came up with a quick counter 15 seconds later, as Memphis entered the final minute with a one-point lead, 85-84.

Quincy Pondexter however fouled Ginobili, and the Argentinian hit two from the line with 54.5 seconds left, 86-85, San Antonio up.

Tony Allen tied the game anew with a split off a Ginobili foul, but the veteran guard tried to make amends by winning the game with a three, only for his try ended up wide on the left, bouncing off the rim.

With 19 seconds remaining and the game, Memphis called for time to set up the game-winner. Conley drained the clock, giving it to Gasol in the perimeter, before taking the ball back for a drive. The shot didn't fall through, as the two teams headed into overtime.

Duncan started the extra period with a make, but Zach Randolph remained persistent in the paint for two of his own. The Big Fundamental then went to work again, driving on Gasol for a bucket and an extra point from the line, 91-88.

A face-up jumper by Gasol on Duncan didn't fall, but Tiago Splitter hit a hook on Randolph for a four-point spread. Conley fished Duncan's fifth foul, while sinking one of two from the line, but Parker decided to join the San Antonio spurt, hitting a pull-up off a Duncan screen, 95-89.

Duncan found Splitter for a point-black shot with only Tayshaun Prince on defense, and the Brazilian knocked it down to give the Spurs an eight-point advantage, 97-89, with 2:19 to go. After a Memphis timeout, the Grizzlies went to Conley for a floater to cut the lead to six, 97-91. Duncan missed a jumper at the top of the key, but Gasol missed a short stab at the other end.

Parker tried to drain more time off the clock, before driving in and hitting a jumper. The Frenchman hit the extra free throw, giving San Antonio a nine-point buffer, 100-91.

Conley tried to continue fighting for Memphis, getting two more off a drive, but Duncan was there for a tip-in with 37.7 seconds left to give the Spurs a nine-point lead anew, 102-93. A Conley missed trey was followed by a Splitter basket, as Memphis went down 0-3 in the Western Conference Finals series.

Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 20 points, five steals, four assists and three boards, but he also had five turnovers. Marc Gasol and Quincy Pondexter had 16 and 15 markers, respectively, while Zach Randolph chipped in 14.

Tony Allen also added 12 points and seven boards. - Renee Fopalan/AMD, GMA News