These Memphis Grizzlies are making NBA history _ and adding believers.
Zach Randolph on Friday got 31 points and 11 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies advanced to his first semifinal of the Western Conference and made NBA history in 99-91 defeat to the best team in the regular season, the Spurs of San Antonio.
Memphis has been the franchise best known for its stands empty and the unenviable mark of futility in the playoffs the NBA, with a record of 0-12 after being swept in his first three appearances. This time, with a full stadium for the third consecutive time, the crowd cheering every basket with a few posters urging the Grizzlies to "kill them" in a city that desperately needs a hero.
The Grizzlies took 10 seasons, but have become precisely that hero to become only the second team ranked eighth to defeat the first since the NBA put out his first postseason series best of seven games.
Now, the Memphis coach, Lionel Hollins, has before it a great opportunity to do something really special with the Grizzlies.
"Few people knew about our qualification for the playoffs, but certainly we have made noise and attract attention, which probably would not have received had they lost this series," said Hollins. "We'd just finished an eighth Rated eliminated in the first round against the best team in the conference."
now play against Oklahoma City in the semifinals.
Tony Parker led San Antonio's offense with 23 points, Tim Duncan scored 12 and Antonio McDyess 10.
The Spurs took the lead only twice _ with the score at 2-0 and then 80-79 when McDyess hit a four meters at 4:41 minutes left.
was then that Randolph, the discarded and unwanted player before coming to Memphis in the summer of 2009, took over the offensive attack, scoring 17 of the Grizzlies' 29 points in the fourth quarter.
"From a liability perspective, began the game on his shoulders and we assemble like a British war horse," said Hollins. "He actually took us along and we just we held."
For the Spurs, Manu Ginobili scored six shots in 14 attempts to score 16 points in 33:47 minutes, which also handed out two assists and scored two rebounds. Thiago Splitter finished with four points while playing for 13:43 minutes.
For the Grizzlies, rookie Venezuelan Greivis Vasquez kicked four field goals in eight attempts to score 11 points in 23:29 minutes on court. The English Marc Gasol played for 41:43 minutes in which to hit six of nine scored 12 points and 13 rebounds.
"The excitement has been great, not only for the Grizzlies but the entire city of Memphis and the fans," said Randolph. "It's a huge achievement. We have to be happy, we should be, but this is a sudden change. We have a game next Sunday and we must prepare."
The Spurs, who won 61 games this season regularly and were a dynasty with four NBA titles with Duncan, lost the ball three consecutive times while Randolph took over the game to achieve the biggest win of the Memphis franchise. Ginobili's desperation pass went right into the hands of Parker.
"We played well all season," said Parker. "As you know, that means nothing if one does not play well in the playoffs, and general Memphis outplayed us. We have to admit. We had a final chance with a one-point lead five minutes from time. Just not we made the plays we needed
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