Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17 points as the San Antonio Spurs dominated the middle two quarters and romped past the Memphis Grizzlies 106-74 in Game 1 of the two teams' Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series.
San Antonio outscored the Grizzlies 24-6 over the final 8:04 of the third period, turning a contentious game into a runaway, and led 81-51 with a quarter to play. The fourth quarter was left to mostly the reserves, with Game 2 to be played in two days time.
Tony Parker and Patty Mills scored 15 points each for the Spurs and Kevin Martin added 10 points, all in the fourth quarter. Tim Duncan had seven points and 11 rebounds as San Antonio hit on 42 of its 81 shots (52%), outrebounded the Grizzlies 44-35 and had nine blocked shots to Memphis' three.
Vince Carter led the Grizzlies with 16 points while Lance Stephenson hit for 14 points, all but two in the second half. Memphis, which has now lost all five games its played against the Spurs this season, was held to a season low in points, shot just 39 percent and went to the free-throw line only six times.
Both teams played a ragged first quarter as there were nearly as many bodies pushed to the floor as baskets made while each squad tried to establish a physical presence. The Spurs led 22-13 after 12 minutes of play despite shooting just 35 percent from the floor. Memphis hit on just 5 of its 22 field-goal attempts with the ageless Carter, making just his fourth start of the season, scoring the Grizzlies' first seven points.
Two baskets by Carter cut the Spurs' lead to 26-22 four minutes into the second quarter and gave the Grizzlies some momentum. But a Leonard steal and dunk followed by another dunk by Leonard off an assist by Patty Mills on the ensuing possession propelled San Antonio on a 7-2 run and created some breathing room at 33-24.
Parker reeled off five straight points on back-to-back drives and a free throw in the final minute of the quarter to push the Spurs' lead to 48-37 at halftime. Aldridge had 13 points in the half and Leonard added 12 for the Spurs while Carter led the Grizzlies with 11 points in 12 minutes of court time.
The Spurs rolled out to a 61-45 lead five minutes into the third quarter behind Duncan, who roared through the lane for a left-handed finger roll and then took the ball away from Zach Randolph at the defensive end, starting a fast break that resulted in a driving layup for Parker.
Duncan's play on both ends of the floor seemed to lift the Spurs, who found another gear over the second half of the third quarter and kept their foot on the accelerator.
