Grizzlies edge Spurs, clinch No. 2 seed in West

Tyus Jones scored 25 factors and the Memphis Grizzlies edged the San Antonio Spurs 112-111 on Wednesday evening to seize the Southwest Division title and clinch the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention.

The Grizzlies claimed their first division title in franchise historical past and completed the feat with All-Star level guard Ja Morant watching from the sidelines.

“Positively an enormous milestone,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins stated. “I informed the group, a particular accomplishment for a particular group, however we’ve obtained extra work to do.”

Memphis by no means trailed, at the same time as Morant missed his sixth straight sport with a sore proper knee. The Grizzlies improved to 19-2 with out Morant this season.

“A gutsy win,” Jones stated. “These are the wins that present you it’s not all the time going to be a reasonably sport. It’s not all the time going to be each shot falling and we win by 20. Typically you’re going to should grind it out and go win a sport down the stretch on the offensive finish or possibly the defensive finish. We’d like these video games down the stretch right here.”

The loss halted San Antonio’s four-game successful streak, the Spurs’ longest of the season. They dropped a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for tenth within the West and the ultimate berth within the play-in match.

San Antonio closed inside a degree, at 112-111, on a tip-in by Keldon Johnson with 27.8 seconds remaining. Following a miss by the Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane, Johnson missed a layup contested by Bane with 2.7 seconds remaining.

“What an excellent (play name),” Jenkins stated. “They most likely knew that we had been going to modify earlier than. They obtained precisely what they wished, a shot proper on the rim. It simply didn’t go in.”

Jenkins stated it was “demanding” matching basketball wits with San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, who he considers a mentor. Jenkins spent six seasons with the Spurs, together with head coach of their G League affiliate.

Memphis withstood San Antonio with a balanced effort, because it has achieved for a lot of the season.

The Grizzlies had 5 gamers rating in double figures and shot 48% (44 for 91). Dillon Brooks scored 21 factors and Bane and De’Anthony Melton every added 16.

Dejounte Murray had 33 factors, matching the career-high he set Monday in Houston, and added 13 rebounds. Johnson scored 23 factors.

Consecutive 3-pointers by Murray and Lonnie Walker IV and a video evaluation that disallowed a basket by Jarren Jackson Jr. reduce Memphis’ result in 93-86 coming into the fourth, the primary time San Antonio was inside single digits within the second half. The Spurs scored the primary 5 factors of the fourth, pulling inside 93-91 and organising the tense last seconds.

“I used to be actually pleased with them,” Popovich stated. “However I’m pleased with them, it was nice. Good things. Nice rising expertise for them towards a hell of a workforce. Like I stated earlier than, Taylor and his workers have achieved a unbelievable job. That workforce competes onerous, they execute very well, possibly higher than most anyone within the league, so that may be a effective efficiency for us tonight.”

Jackson scored the sport’s first 5 factors, together with his solely 3-pointer. The Grizzlies and Spurs had been a mixed 10 for 23 on 3-pointers within the opening quarter.

GO DUKE!

With Memphis having the weekend off, Jones is contemplating touring to New Orleans on Saturday to see Duke play North Carolina within the Remaining 4.

Jones performed for the Blue Devils below Mike Krzyzewski, who’s retiring on the shut of the match after 41 seasons because the workforce’s head coach.

“I’m not nervous, I’m excited. I’m excited,” Jones stated.

The truth that Duke is dealing with rival North Carolina for the primary time within the NCAA Match solely makes this second extra significant for Jones and the Blue Devils.

“It’s type of destiny that the primary time ever enjoying UNC can be in his final 12 months within the Remaining 4 with the possibility to go to the championship sport,” Jones stated. “Every thing traces up. I’m excited for him.”

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Morant was capturing 3-pointers minutes earlier than pregame warmups after his teammates had left the court docket. Morant didn’t present any indicators of discomfort throughout his exercise. He was bounding across the court docket as he tried quite a few half-court and three-quarter court docket photographs earlier than sprinting off the court docket. … Jackson performed 25 minutes after being a game-time determination due to a sore proper thigh. … Jones injured his left hand within the first half after the ball bounced again and jammed his fingers. He returned within the third quarter together with his center and ring finger taped collectively. … Memphis’ bench averages a league excessive 98.5 minutes per sport.

Spurs: San Antonio has misplaced six straight to Memphis and 5 straight at house. The Spurs final house victory towards the Grizzlies was Jan. 5, 2019, and their final win general as Dec. 23, 2020. … Walker had six factors and performed 14 minutes in his return from a four-game absence. Walker injured his again March 18 after a blind display from Willy Hernangomez on March 18.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Host Phoenix on Friday evening.

Spurs: Host Portland on Friday evening.