Grizzlies close in on shock Spurs elimination
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The eighth-seeded host Memphis Grizzlies routed the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs 104-86 yesterday to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their NBA first-round playoff series.
The Grizzlies already had made franchise history by winning their first playoff game in Game 1 and added their first playoff win at home. Now they are a game away from becoming the second eighth seed to knock off a No. 1 seed since the NBA expanded to a best-of-seven series.
Mike Conley had 15 points and seven assists while Darrell Arthur added 14 points off the bench for Memphis. Tony Allen had 12, Zach Randolph and O.J. Mayo 11 apiece.
Tony Parker led the Spurs with 23 points.
Game 5 is on Wednesday in San Antonio.
Mavericks 93, Trail Blazers 82
In Dallas, the hosts avoided another late collapse to beat Portland, taking a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 of his 25 points in the third quarter, Tyson Chandler had 14 points and 20 rebounds - his most ever in a playoff game - and Jason Kidd had 14 assists to make sure Dallas bounced back strongly after blowing a late 23-point lead in Game 4.
Now the Mavericks have two days to rest before trying to close out the series in Game 6 on Thursday in Portland. It won't be easy as the Trail Blazers have won all four meetings there this season.
History is certainly on Dallas' side. Of the previous 157 series tied 2-2, the Game 5 winner has come out on top in the overall series 83 percent of the time.
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