Spurs Tighten Grip on Grizzlies

The San Antonio Spurs are well on their way to sweeping into the second round.

Tim Duncan scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, and the defending champions spoiled the first NBA playoff game in Memphis, Tenn., by holding off the Grizzlies, 95-93, Thursday night for a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series.

The Spurs won their 14th game in a row by holding off a Memphis team that fed off a sellout crowd of 19,351 that greeted them with a standing ovation and towels waving. But it wasn’t enough against the defending NBA champions.

Twice leading by 10 points, Memphis easily had its best playoff effort, but it didn’t matter as the Grizzlies lost their seventh game in a row. Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 18 points.

The Spurs can clinch the series Sunday in Memphis.

Duncan scored with 1:37 left to put the Spurs ahead to stay, 92-91. The Grizzlies had their chances, but Gasol bobbled the ball on a layup attempt on one possession. Williams then missed a 19-footer.

The Grizzlies had one last chance, but Mike Miller’s three-point shot missed at the buzzer.

New Jersey 81, New York 78 -- Kenyon Martin ended a late offensive drought with a key three-point play in the final 30 seconds at New York to help the Nets take a 3-0 lead in the series.

New Jersey scored only six points over the final 4 1/2 minutes, but it was still enough as New York couldn’t come all the way back after trailing by 14.

Martin led New Jersey with 19 points and 15 rebounds, Jason Kidd had 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Richard Jefferson had 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Stephon Marbury scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter but made only seven of 23 shots for New York.

Kidd, however, gave New York one final chance when he missed the second of two free throws to leave the score 81-78 with 18 seconds left. Marbury was then fouled behind the three-point line with three seconds remaining while trying to pass.

He went to the line and came up short on his first attempt, then missed the second intentionally only to have the Nets grab the game-ending rebound.