Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011
MEMPHIS — Zach Randolph had 31 points and 11 rebounds as the Grizzlies won their first playoff series, beating the top-seeded Spurs 99-91 in Game 6 on Friday.
Memphis, which began play in Vancouver in 1996, had been best known for empty seats and playoff futility, having gone 0-12 in being swept in each of its first three playoff series. This time, a third consecutive sellout crowd cheered every basket with signs telling the Grizzlies to "Finish Them."
Next for Memphis is Oklahoma City.
The Spurs, who won 61 games during the regular season, got a reprieve in Game 5 on Wednesday, when Gary Neal's 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left got them to overtime. Friday, they led only twice, 2-0 and 80-79 after Antonio McDyess hit a 15-footer with 4:41 left.
That's when Randolph took over, scoring 17 of the Grizzlies' 29 fourth-quarter points.
His hook put them ahead to stay at 81-80. Mike Conley added a jumper. Then while San Antonio turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions, Randolph hit a fallaway jumper, two free throws and another fallaway jumper for an 89-82 lead with 1:55 left.
The Spurs ended this season dropping nine of their last 10 on the road, including all three in Memphis.
Grizzlies 99, Spurs 91
SAN ANTONIO (91): Jefferson 0-2 0-0 0, Duncan 5-13 2-2 12, McDyess 4-7 2-2 10, Parker 10-17 3-4 23, Ginobili 6-14 2-2 16, Hill 3-10 0-0 6, Neal 3-12 2-2 8, Splitter 2-4 0-0 4, Bonner 3-4 1-2 9, Green 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 37-85 12-14 91.
MEMPHIS (99): Young 4-6 0-0 9, Randolph 12-22 7-8 31, Gasol 6-9 0-2 12, Conley 3-9 3-4 9, Allen 4-9 3-4 11, Vasquez 4-8 3-4 11, Battier 1-1 0-0 2, Mayo 1-3 4-6 6, Arthur 3-6 2-2 8, Haddadi 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-73 22-30 99.
San Antonio 16 27 23 25— 91
Memphis 24 22 24 29— 99
3-Point Goals—San Antonio 5-22 (Bonner 2-3, Ginobili 2-8, Green 1-2, Jefferson 0-1, Parker 0-1, Hill 0-2, Neal 0-5), Memphis 1-9 (Young 1-1, Allen 0-1, Conley 0-2, Randolph 0-2, Vasquez 0-3). Fouled Out—Hill. Rebounds—San Antonio 44 (Duncan 10), Memphis 49 (Gasol 13). Assists—San Antonio 15 (Parker 4), Memphis 12 (Conley 3). Total Fouls—San Antonio 26, Memphis 18. A—18,119 (18,119).
Bulls: Forward Carlos Boozer sat out practice because of turf toe, a painful sprain to the ligaments around the right big toe joint. Coach Tom Thibodeau said "it's hard to say" if Boozer will be ready for Game 1 against the Hawks on Monday but, "I'm thinking that he will be able to (play)."
Pacers: Owner Herb Simon said he will meet with team president Larry Bird in the next 10 days to determine his future. Bird, hired in 2003, is in the final year of his contract.