Santi Aldama poured in a career-high 29 points as the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies walloped the host San Antonio Spurs 140-112 on Friday to sweep a two-game series between the Western Conference rivals.
Memphis won the first game 129-114 on Wednesday in San Antonio and has captured back-to-back contests for the first time since Dec. 26-27. The Grizzlies played without All-Star guard Ja Morant, who sat out with right foot soreness.
The Grizzlies, who shot 50 percent from the field, trailed by two at the half but swept to the lead for good with a 16-0 run over the final 3:34 of the third. Aldama and Luke Kennard each scored five points, while Brandon Clarke hit for four point as San Antonio missed its final six shots and had two turnovers in the decisive stretch.
Aldama’s jumper with 8:41 to play in the fourth capped a 9-0 run that boosted the lead to 115-94.
Jaylen Wells and Desmond Bane added 22 points each and Jaren Jackson Jr. hit for 19 for the Grizzlies. Bane also had 14 assists while Kennard had 17 points and Clarke scored 12.
Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 21 points while Stephon Castle scored 20, Victor Wembanyama racked up 19 points and 12 rebounds, Harrison Barnes hit for 13 points and Charles Bassey finished with 12.
San Antonio, which lost despite shooting 55 percent from the field, led 29-27 after the opening period on Johnson’s driving layup. The teams traded the lead early in the second quarter before the Spurs created separation, going up 46-36 when Barnes canned a pair of free throws at the 7:42 mark.
Memphis swung back, rallying to a 52-50 advantage on Wells’ 3-pointer with 4:34 to play. San Antonio tied the game on two Bassey free throws with 1:14 remaining and rode Bassey’s alley-oop dunk with 47 seconds left to a 64-62 lead at the break.
Castle led all scorers in the first half with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor. Barnes added 11 and Bassey tallied 10 for the Spurs over the first 24 minutes.
Aldama scored 14 points off the bench to pace Memphis’ attack before halftime while Wells had 13 and Jackson and Kennard hit for 10 points each.
–Field Level Media
