Spurs edge Grizzlies to close in on series win
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-23 15:27

Tim Duncan had 22 points and hauled down 13 rebounds for defending champion San Antonio Spurs who continued their playoff series domination by securing a 95-93 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

Duncan scored 10 of his points in the final quarter as the Spurs held off the Grizzlies and spoiled the first playoff game in franchise history for the home team.

San Antonio now leads the best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final series 3-0, with game four in Memphis Sunday.

A sell-out crowd of 19,351 greeted the Grizzlies with a prolonged standing ovation at the start but their support could not prevent the Spurs winning their 14th straight game.

Hedo Turkoglu had 18 points for the Spurs and hit his first seven shots to give San Antonio an early lift.

Tony Parker chipped in with 18 points and six assists for the Spurs, while Manu Ginobili added 12 points for the winners.

The Grizzlies had by far their best game of the series, but came up just short as Mike Miller's last shot that would have tied the game at the buzzer bounced off the back of the rim.

Pau Gasol led Memphis with 18 points, while Jason Williams (news) added 16 and Bonzi Wells chipped in 14.

Miller scored 12 points for the Grizzlies, who have now lost seven straight games, including the last four of the regular season.