Conley scores 30 as Grizzlies defeat Spurs 95-87

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Mike Conley had 30 points and six assists, Marc Gasol added 17 points and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-87 on Tuesday night.

Conley connected on 10 of 13 from the field, and missed only one of his five shots from outside the arc as the Grizzlies won their second straight and claimed at least a tie over the Spurs in the season series.

Tayshaun Prince added 12 points for Memphis.

Marco Belinelli and Cory Joseph scored 18 points apiece for the Spurs. Patty Mills scored 10 points for San Antonio, but was 3 of 10 from the field and missed all four of his 3-pointers, part of the Spurs going 5 of 22 from outside the arc.

Belinelli was 4 of 7 from 3-point range, while the rest of the Spurs missed 14 of 15 from distance.

The teams last time out went to triple-overtime in San Antonio on Dec. 17 before Memphis left with a 117-116 victory. This time, Memphis built a 10-point lead in the first quarter, and led by as many as 16 in the game. San Antonio never led by more than a point, and that came early in the game.

The Spurs reserves looked like they were prepared to threaten Memphis as consecutive baskets by Kyle Anderson cut the lead to seven points early in the frame. Consecutive baskets by Duncan cut the lead to 80-77 near the midway point of the fourth. Joseph had 10 points in the fourth, but the Memphis advantage never fell under five points in the final 5:30.

Memphis benefitted from the Spurs seeming a step slow in the first half, the remnants of a December where San Antonio will play 18 games, including seven back-to-backs.

That allowed the Grizzlies to shoot 51 percent for a 52-38 lead at the break.

Conley carried the day for Memphis, hitting his first seven shots in the game, including two from outside the arc for 18 first-half points.

The Spurs were struggling offensively, committing nine turnovers and shooting 37 percent. Only 16 points from Belinelli, who was 6 of 9 from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, prevented the Memphis lead from growing.

The Spurs were able to get the Memphis margin under double digits at several points of the third quarter as the Grizzlies initially struggled with ballhandling. Memphis, which had only six turnovers in the first half, more than doubled that number in the third frame, committing seven miscues.

Memphis still maintained its double-digit advantage, holding a 74-63 lead after three.

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TIP-INS:

Spurs: Guard Parker missed his 11th game with a strained left hamstring. He played three games over that period. Forward Kawhi Leonard also was out with a bruised right hand. .The road team had won the two previous games between the teams this season. ..Duncan finished with nine points and 10 rebounds, leaving him one game short of Karl Malone for sixth place all time with 814 double-doubles.

Grizzlies: Forward Zach Randolph missed his fifth straight game with a sore right knee. The Grizzlies improved to 3-5 since the beginning of last season with Randolph out of the lineup .Memphis recorded its sixth sellout of the season. .It was Conley's second game of at least 30 points this season.

UP NEXT:

Spurs: Host Pelicans on Wednesday.

Grizzlies: Visit Lakers on Friday.