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I will have to admit right here and now – I was one of those NBA bloggers who, despite what the Memphis Grizzlies have done, past or present, wouldn’t cut them any slack. I didn’t have much respect for their current general manager, Chris Wallace, or their owner, Michael Heisley. And as I am writing this post/game recap, I still reserve judgement on both as they still have a ways to go before they can gain any true respect from me.

In any case, the San Antonio Spurs came to the FedEx Forum Saturday to take on the Grizzlies; although neither team shot very well, the Spurs rallied late yet were not able to capitalize as Memphis won their eighth straight at home, defeating San Antonio 92-86 in front of 14,116 fans.

The Spurs took an early lead behind some accurate marksmanship as Tim Duncan made his first 5 shots and had 13 first-half points – all of them in the first quarter. But San Antonio would have diffculties in the second quarter as Memphis took over with a 14-3 run at the midway stage of the period. O.J. Mayo’s layup in the closing seconds of the first half gave the Grizzlies a 52-42 lead at halftime.

Memphis would extend their lead in the third quarter to 14; Duncan scored 10 in the period and San Antonio cut into their deficit until the Grizzlies entered the fourth quarter with a 75-65 lead. Roger Mason would lead the Spurs’ rally with a pair of treys, part of a 12-0 run. His jumper would reduce the Memphis lead to 87-86 with 41 seconds left in the game, but Zach Randolph would convert five of his 6 free throws in the remaining seconds, sealing the deal for the Grizzlies.

Randolph led all Grizzlies scorers with 23 points, 15 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals while Mayo drained 19 with 8 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals; Marc Gasol added 14 with 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.

Duncan led the Spurs with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 blocks while Mason added 17 (including 3 three-pointers) with a rebound and a steal; Keith Bogans scored 13 with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Memphis (21-18) plays again on Monday when they host the Phoenix Suns while San Antonio (24-15) returns home to host the New Orleans Hornets – also on Monday night.