Spurs Blow Huge Lead, Stunned by Grizzlies in Second Straight OT Loss
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Despite injuries once again being a theme for the San Antonio Spurs, they found themselves leading big in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
If the San Antonio Spurs are indeed learning every time they play, then they certainly learned all that and then some in Friday’s meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies at the AT&T Center.
In their second overtime game in three nights, the Spurs couldn’t finish the job in a chippy 126-120 loss to the Grizzlies after blowing a 29-point second-half lead.
Despite injuries once again being a theme for the Spurs, they found themselves leading big against the No. 3 team in the Western Conference before finishing the game 20 of 52 from deep.
But the Grizzlies, who continue to win despite the Ja Morant distractions, made a furious rally in the second half to stun the Spurs. Memphis had all five starters score in double figures, led by forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (28 points) and Desmond Bane (21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists) while guard Tyus Jones notched a triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists).
Dillon Brooks, who was chirping with the Spurs and forward Keldon Johnson early on, got the last laugh by nailing the game-tying triple with 1.1 seconds left to send the game to overtime at 109-109.
From there, Memphis out-scored the Spurs 17-11 in overtime to seal the win.
San Antonio was led by Devin Vassell (25 points), Johnson (21 points) and Zach Collins (24 points, eight rebounds) in a game where rookie Jeremy Sochan injured his knee in the first half and didn’t return.
The Spurs were already without guard Devonte’ Graham and wing Doug McDermott yet jumped out to a 35-26 lead in the first quarter after hitting 8 of 14 from deep. They headed into halftime with a 69-46 edge.
The Grizz had an 8-0 run that cut the lead to 84-63 in the third quarter and made some in the AT&T Center perk up but there’s no way the Spurs were going to blow this lead.
Well …
After clawing back to cut SA’s lead to 109-100 with 1:32 left, the Grizzlies hit three triples in the final minute to send the game to overtime, with Brooks coming up clutch.
The Spurs will have to pick up their heads quickly though. If they thought this game against the rival Grizzlies was emotional, then they’ll be in for a treat in Sunday’s meeting in San Antonio with the Atlanta Hawks and Dejounte Murray.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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