22.11.2002

MEMPHIS (86) AT SAN ANTONIO (95)
Stats

The Memphis Grizzlies saw two huge losing streaks grow painfully 
longer.

The Grizzlies remained the only winless team in the NBA and lost
their 21st consecutive meeting with the San Antonio Spurs, who
got 28 points and 15 rebounds from Tim Duncan en route to a
95-86 victory.

Memphis has lost its first 13 games, just four losses shy of the
worst start in NBA history. The Grizzlies' drought was unlikely
to end against the Spurs, who have not lost in the series since
February 12, 1997 - about four months before Duncan was
drafted.

The Spurs have a 26-3 advantage in the all-time series against
the Grizzlies, who were 2-11 at the Alamodome and did not have
any luck in their first visit to the SBC Center.

San Antonio had a 48-43 halftime lead before opening the third
quarter with a 15-1 run. Duncan scored nine points during the
burst, which gave the Spurs a 63-44 cushion with 5:43 left.

"We really started getting it done in the second half," Spurs
forward Malik Rose said. "We really started making shots and
that, coupled with defense, carried us through."

Duncan had a jumper, a hook shot, a dunk and three free throws
during the run. He made 9-of-16 shots from the floor and
10-of-12 from the line.

The Grizzlies faded as they failed to make a basket in the first
5:43 of the second half.  They were held to just 13 points in
the third quarter and had only 56 entering the fourth.

David Robinson and Stephen Jackson scored 12 points apiece for
San Antonio, which has won 10 straight home meeting with the
Grizzlies.

The Spurs shot just 44 percent (35-of-79) from the floor but
held a commanding 49-30 rebounding advantage. Robinson grabbed
nine rebounds and Rose pulled down seven.

"They played a lot of zone tonight and it's a great way to
rebound," Duncan said. "Whatever we could get in there was a
definite plus. Their zone messed us up a little bit early but we
figured it out and got back on track."

"When your leading rebounder is you point guard, it's hard to
swallow," Memphis coach Hubie Brown said. "We're not into moral
victories but we're pleased that we fought back and we can build
on something."

Mike Batiste scored 18 points and Pau Gasol added 12 as Memphis
fell to 0-7 on the road.

The Grizzlies played without starting point guard Jason
Williams, who is sidelined with a sprained foot, and remained
winless in five games under Brown.

"We just need to go out and take care of business," Memphis
guard Brevin Knight said. "Things are going to change and I
think as a team we are committed to putting in the work to
making this thing work."

The game was tied at 17-17 late in the first quarter before San
Antonio used a 12-4 run to take the lead for good. Duncan scored
the first six points on an alley-oop and four free throws and
rookie Emanuel Ginobili capped it with consecutive layups for a
29-21 lead 36 seconds into the second.

The Spurs had their largest lead at 86-62 with 6:52 left on a
reverse dunk by Ginobili, who scored nine points.