Duncan Knocks Down Big Jumper As Spurs Fend Off Grizzlies' Rally In Game 2 [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]
Tony Parker recorded 15 points and 18 assists and Tim Duncan knocked down a crucial 9-foot jumper in the overtime period as the San Antonio Spurs overcame a colossal fourth quarter meltdown to beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 93-89, and take a 2-0 advantage in the Eastern Conference final series on Tuesday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
The Spurs protected home-court advantage once again, but not until surviving a courageous late-game effort by the Grizzlies.
Coming off a 105-83 blowout win in Game 1, San Antonio looked on their way to another dominating win after building a 46-31 advantage at the break.
Wonderful ball movement and imposing defense proved to be the key factors for the Spurs early on.
With Parker running the floor, the Spurs stayed sharp in the start of the second half and continued to hold a significant 76-64 edge at the end of the third.
Still anguishing in pain for their lackluster play in Sunday's series opener, the Grizzlies began to come alive in the fourth behind their star power forward Zach Randolph.
Randolph, who was held down to two points on 1-for-8 shooting in Game 1, scored 8 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a 15-2 run in the closing 7:22 minutes.
The huge rally was capped by Mike Conley's seven-foot jumper with 18 seconds left to send the game beyond regulation time.
However, the Spurs were just too good in grinding games this postseason - even better than the Grizzlies - as they leaned on Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in the overtime period.
Duncan scored six points in overtime, including a nine-foot jumper to give the Spurs a 91-87 lead with 1:07 left. Parker sealed the win with a free-throw to make it a three-point game, 92-89, and the Grizz could not make their shots in the last 14 seconds.
Mark Gasol racked up 12 points and 14 board while Randolph added 18 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who are 0-2 down for the second time this postseason.
Memphis lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first two games of the first-round before sweeping them in the next four games to win the highly physical series.
The Grizzlies direly need the same magic on Saturday, when the series shift to the FedEx Forum for Game 3.
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