Spurs go for commanding 3-0 lead

Memphis, TN (Basketball News) - The Memphis Grizzlies host their first playoff contest in franchise history tonight, as they welcome the defending champion San Antonio Spurs to The Pyramid for Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinals set.

This is a best-of-seven series, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday at The Pyramid.

The Spurs won the first two games of the series at the SBC Center in dominating fashion. San Antonio crushed the Grizzlies, 98-74, in Game 1, and pounded Memphis in Game 2, 87-70.

On Monday, Tony Parker scored a game-high 27 points and handed out seven assists to lead San Antonio over Memphis and give the defending champions a 2-0 advantage. Tim Duncan added 23 points and 12 rebounds for the red-hot Spurs, who have won 13 straight games dating back to the regular season. Robert Horry came off the bench and tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.

Pau Gasol netted 20 points and grabbed 11 boards in Game 2 for the Grizzlies, who have dropped six in a row overall. Memphis won both regular-season games against the Spurs at The Pyramid this year.

The Grizzlies have lost six straight games overall dating back to the regular season. Memphis won nine of its last 11 games at home during the regular season and finished and impressive 31-10 as the host.

San Antonio has never lost a playoff series after winning the first two games of the set.

Duncan has averaged 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in the first two contests of the series, while Parker has averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 assists. Playoff veteran Horry has been solid as well, averaging 12 points and 7.5 boards.

Gasol has led Memphis in scoring (17 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg) in the first two contests of his playoff debut, while Bonzi Wells has netted 14.5 points per game and James Posey has averaged 12.5 points.

The Spurs are 5-5 in their last 10 Game 3s in the postseason.

The last time the Spurs were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round was in 2000, when they fell to Phoenix Suns, 3-1.