Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs met on Saturday night in front of 18,000 fans at the FedEx Forum arena. It was Game 4 of this exciting first-round Western Conference matchup. Coming into this game the Spurs held a 2-1 series lead. Memphis was shorthanded again as they were playing without their primary perimeter defender - Tony Allen. Allen is out due to a calf injury and will probably miss the remainder of this first-round playoff series. Memphis was hoping they can repeat their Game 3 performance and tie the series at two wins a piece.
Back and forth game to the end
San Antonio jumped out to a quick 10-point lead in the first quarter and led 24-14 early in the game. Memphis then went on a 9-2 run to close out the first period and the score was 26-23 for the Spurs after the first 12 minutes. Grizzlies took the lead back early in the second quarter despite Tony Parker playing one of his best quarters of the season. Parker carried San Antonio during a second quarter in which the Spurs trailed by as many as eight points. He hit 5 of 7 shots and posted the first 12 points in the second quarter. At halftime, Memphis held a 55-51 lead. Spurs won the third quarter 20-19 and coming into the final period of the game the score was 74-71 for the home team.
After Memphis took a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter (83-73) it looked like the second win in a row was in store for the home squad. But then Kawhi Leonard showed up. Leonard scored Spurs’ final 16 points in regulation to become the only player over the past 20 postseasons to produce at least his team’s 15 final points of the fourth quarter.
Leonard’s 16 points in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter registered as the second most in the past 20 postseasons behind Paul Pierce, who scored 18 in the same span of time in 2003 playoffs.
After four quarters of play the score was tied at 96-96. In overtime, teams went back and forth and traded baskets. With score tied at 108-108 and with 0.7 seconds left in the game, Marc Gasol connected on a contested running floater to win the game.
The final score was 110-108 for the Grizzlies.
Kawhi's 43 points not enough
Kawhi Leonard had a special night on Saturday. He finished the game with 43 points, eight rebounds, three assists and six steals. He was 7-10 from the three-point line. Leonard’s 43 points tied for the third-most in Spurs postseason history. Tony Parker helped with 22 points and five assists but it wasn't enough.
Mike Conley scored 35 points for Memphis in this Game 4 win. He added nine rebounds and eight assists. Marc Gasol chipped in with 16 points and 12 rebounds and a game-winning floater in overtime.
Series is now tied at 2-2 with Game 5 scheduled on Tuesday in San Antonio.
