MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs try for their first postseason sweep in five years on Sunday when they face the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Four of their first-round series at the Pyramid.
The Spurs have won the first three games against the inexperienced Grizzlies and are hoping to become the first Western Conference team to advance. They have not swept a playoff series since the 1999 conference finals against Portland.
After rolling to a pair of blowouts on its home floor, San Antonio posted a 95-93 victory over Memphis here in Game Three on Thursday.
Tim Duncan had 22 points and 13 rebounds and Hedo Turkoglu and Tony Parker scored 18 points apiece for the Spurs, who had a 48-31 edge on the glass, including 21 offensive boards.
Pau Gasol scored 18 points and Jason Williams added 16 for Memphis, which lost after Mike Miller missed a desperation 3-pointer as time expired.
MEANINGFUL MATCHUP: Parker vs. Williams. Parker has thoroughly outplayed Williams in the series, averaging 18.3 points and 7.0 assists. He is shooting 50 percent (20-of-40) from the floor, including 7-of-11 from 3-point range. Williams has scored just 30 points on 11-of-26 shooting. He has handed out only 10 assists and committed seven turnovers.
WHO'S HOT:
Spurs: Duncan is the only player on either team averaging a double-double at 23.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game; F Robert Horry is averaging 10.0 points and 9.0 rebounds - more than twice his regular-season average in both categories.
Grizzlies: Gasol has played well against Duncan, scoring 52 points on 18-of-34 shooting in the series; F Bonzi Wells has made 18-of-34 shots from the floor.
WHO'S NOT:
Spurs: C Rasho Nesterovic has not provided the Spurs with the kind of presence in the middle they will need as the playoffs go along. He has only 14 points and 20 rebounds in the series.
Grizzlies: F James Posey, who was a huge part of Memphis' turnaround this season, has scored only 30 points in the series. He has made only 9-of-24 shots, including 1-of-6 3-pointers.
STREAKS: San Antonio has won 14 straight games since a loss at Minnesota on March 23.
SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: The Spurs have won four of the seven meetings between the teams after losing three of four during the regular season.
INJURIES: Spurs: G Jason Hart (slight concussion suffered in third quarter of Game Two).
Grizzlies: None.
