The Memphis Grizzlies snapped Miami's 17-game home win streak with a 97-82 victory Friday behind a balanced attack which included a stellar 17-point performance from forward Rudy Gay. Point guard Mike Conley and center Marreese Speights scored 15 points each and power forward Zach Randolph came off the bench to finish with 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have won six of their past eight National Basketball Association games. Miami finished one victory short of the franchise record of 18 straight wins at home which was set during the 2004-05 season. It was their first defeat at the American Airlines Arena since they were beaten by Milwaukee on Jan. 22. Forward LeBron James scored 11 of his 21 points in the third quarter for the Heat who also got 20 points from guard Wade and 19 from power forward Chris Bosh. James also had six assists and a half dozen rebounds. Spurs 128, Hornets 103: The San Antonio Spurs blew past the New Orleans Hornets to claim the Western Conference lead with their 10th consecutive victory. The win moved the Spurs (39-14) percentage points ahead of Oklahoma City (40-15) after the Thunder lost their third in a row, a 103-98 setback to the Indiana Pacers. Tim Duncan, making eight of nine field goal attempts, led the Spurs with 19 points in 20 minutes while Eric Gordon top-scored with 31 for New Orleans, who at 14-41 have the worst record in the Western Conference. “That Spurs team is about as complete as I've seen,” Hornets coach Monty Williams told reporters. “We couldn't have guarded a bike tonight if we were riding it.” San Antonio's bench played a big role in the Spurs reaching a season high in points for the first half (72) and the game. Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills each scored 14 points with Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal adding 13 apiece as the Spurs shot better than 60 percent. “It was a great (first) half,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “We played just really, really well in the half and were able to jump on them.” Cleveland 84, Toronto 80: Antawn Jamison scored 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Lester Hudson had a career-high 23 points, and the visiting Cavaliers snapped a nine-game losing streak. New Jersey 110, Washington 98: Deron Williams had 19 points and 13 assists in fighting off the lingering effects of the flu, leading the host Nets. Milwaukee 95, Charlotte 90: Monta Ellis had 25 points and nine assists for the host Bucks. Portland 99, Dallas 97 (OT): LaMarcus Aldridge's buzzer-beating 17-foot jumper won it for the visiting Trail Blazers. Denver 105, Phoenix 99: Former Piston Arron Afflalo led the host Nuggets with 30 points. Utah 104, Golden State 98: Al Jefferson led the host Jazz with 30 points and Devin Harris scored 28. In other matches Atlanta beat Detroit 101-96; and Houston beat LA Lakers 112-107.
