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The Spurs fear Gasol

The Spanish center is playing his career best season, and has been particularly inspired in his past four games, averaging 24.5 points. He did even better in the duels with Spurs this season, scoring 27 in each

After winning 21 of their first 25 games, the Memphis Grizzlies entered a mini-crisis that coincided with the absence of Zack Randolph. Within the first seven days they lost as many games as in the previous seven weeks of the season, and the negative run was ended on Saturday against Heat where they won with the final score 103-95.

- It just so happened that we drew the line here and stopped the black streak. We're out of it for a moment, but that will mean little if we slip back into the hole- said coach Dave Joerger.

His team took a 27-14 lead at the end of the first period, and after they rose to +19 in the second half, they relaxed a bit, which Heat used to make a comeback to within a single point. A more or less even battle took place from then till the finish of the match, in which the Grizzlies won thanks to better execution.

- We have to earn this, as Miami play very well, especially at home. They have a group of great players, they're coached well, and we knew this will be a real battle - said Mike Conley who led his team with 24 points (7/12), while Marc Gasol scored 22 points (7/14) and gathered ten rebounds.

This was the fourth match in a row that Zack Randolph was absent, and as his knee is still not in optimal shape, although officially there is a chance of him playing, the odds are much better of him sitting it out again. Z-Bo's 21 points and as many rebounds were one of the biggest reasons for their victory in San Antonio on December 17th after three extra periods. This was the first time the Grizzlies won after having to concede the previous nine games in a row against San Antonio.

- Above all, we needed it mentally, as we've always felt we can parry them but were always just a possession or two short of a victory. This has been the difference in out duels over the past few years, they were always just a little bit better, faster, luckier- commented Conley (17.5 pts/game).

The defending champions had to go through their own ordeal too, as beating the Rockets 110-106 on Sunday ended a series in which they lost seven of their past eight games, their worst period since Tim Duncan is on the team. In a strange game filled with mistakes but also great moves, the Spurs responded better and put together a 15-0 series in the last quarter, which gave them a +11 lead (102-91). The Rockets managed to cut that down to just three points and had the possession to equalize, but Gregg Popovich's team stood their ground.

Patty Mills had a big role in the victory, after missing the first 31 game of the season due to shoulder injury his energy in the final quarter gave the Spurs a much needed push.

- I was very excited, it seemed to me I was away for longer than I should have been. It's great to be playing again, I felt fantastic- said Mills, who scored all eight of his points in the last quarter.

- His energy and activity are contagious, he gave the team a big spark- said Tim Duncan, praising his team mate, while he himself ended the game with 16 points (6/12) and eight rebounds.

The return of Mills lessened the gap left by the absence of Tony Parker, who missed ten of their last 13 games, including the last two. The Frenchman will once again be absent today, as will Kawhi Leonard, who missed the last seven straight games. The Spurs will have a hard time without them, which just means that Manu Ginobili will have to carry even harder, as he averaged 21.3 in their past three duels against Grizzlies.

On the defensive end, the Spurs are particularly wary of Gasol, who's been averaging 24.5 points and 10.3 rebounds in his past four games, while his average in their past two games against the Spurs is 27.0 points and 10.5 rebounds.

- I think he elevated his game to another level this season. He was more focused on supporting his teammates in the past few years. His confidence is high, he is playing well, getting rebounds, scoring, doing it all around. We definitely need to focus on him- detected Duncan.

In closing, we should mention that the Spurs lost their last three away matches, while the Grizzlies lost three in a row at home, after winning 12 of 13 in the FedEx Forum before that.