SAN ANTONIO — The Memphis 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 Feb. 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.
