On this night, the Grizzlies’ next generation took over with a roster that was the second-youngest at the start of this season rebuilt around Jackson, the No. 8 seed, the start of seven straight playoff seasons for the Grizzlies. Memphis’ only series victory came in 2011 as the then-No. In five playoff series between these teams, the Spurs swept three of the four San Antonio won. Rapper Al Kapone performed outside during halftime and was shown on the video board with fans joining in waving towels when he sang “Whoop That Trick.” Inside the FedExForum, capacity was doubled to 40% with a sellout of 7,019 fans, and a yellow towel proclaiming “NXT UP MEMPHIS” was on each seat. Memphis pulled out all the stops possible in a pandemic in the biggest home game since the Grizzlies’ last playoff appearance in 2017 against these very Spurs. “Let a couple of possessions slip away from us, and that kind of hurt us.” “We put ourselves in a hole early, but we fought all the way back, and had the game,” DeRozan said. Brooks started his scoring spurt with the Grizzlies trailing 80-79, and his driving 5-footer with 5:57 to go put Memphis ahead to stay at 85-83. The Spurs last led 83-81 on Johnson’s 3 with 6:55 left. So, I’m really proud of the way they conducted themselves and played to win.” “No matter what the mistakes, no matter what the circumstances are, they really fight,” Popovich said. Keldon Johnson added 11 and Jacob Poeltl 10.Ĭoach Gregg Popovich said he told his Spurs he didn’t know if he’s ever been more proud of a team that just doesn’t quit. Dejounte Murray had his fifth triple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. had 10 points.ĭeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay each scored 20 points as the Spurs lost their fifth straight. Valanciunas had a season-high 23 rebounds and 23 points for Memphis. “We still have one more in front of us,” Grizzlies center Jonas Valnciunas said. Memphis is trying to snap a skid of three straight seasons without a postseason berth with last season ending with a loss to Portland in the NBA’s first play-in game. 7 seed and a first-round spot against Phoenix. The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Warriors 103-100 on Wednesday night to take the No. 8 seed and a first-round series starting Sunday against top-seeded Utah.

The Grizzlies will play at Golden State on Friday night for the No.

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