Associated Press
The NBA roundup …
PORTLAND, Ore. ó PORTLAND, Ore. ó Brandon Roy’s season had been fraught with uncertainty, first over the stability of his knees, then over his diminished role with the team.
All those doubts melted away on Saturday when he led the Portland Trail Blazers to one of the greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history.
With 39.2 seconds left, Roy made a go-ahead bank shot that gave the Trail Blazers a stunning 84-82 comeback victory over the Dallas Mavericks ó and evened their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
Roy finished with 24 points ó 18 in the fourth quarter alone ó as the Blazers erased a 23-point deficit. Portland became the third NBA team in the shot clock era to win a playoff game when trailing by 18 points or more heading into the fourth quarter.
“I’ve been in some pretty good zones before,” the three-time All-Star said. “But nothing like tonight.”
Trailing 67-44 in the third quarter, the Blazers closed the gap to 77-70 after Roy’s step-back jumper.
Jason Terry answered with a 3-pointer but then Roy drove down the lane and finished to narrow it to 80-74 with 2:32 to go. LaMarcus Aldridge added a turnaround jumper.
Roy traded baskets with Shawn Marion before making a 3-pointer and a free throw with 1:06 left to tie it at 82.
After Roy’s go-ahead jumper from out front banked in, the Mavericks missed two 3-point tries, the first from Jason Kidd and the second from Terry as time ran out. Roy defended Terry on the final shot.
Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points to lead the Mavericks. Terry finished with 13 off the bench.
Grizzlies 91, Spurs 88
MEMPHIS, Tenn. ó Zach Randolph scored 25 points, including a rare 3-pointer with 41.9 seconds left, and the Grizzlies beat the Spurs for the franchise’s first playoff victory on its home court.
These Grizzlies have been busy this postseason making lots of history at the Spurs’ expense. They opened this series with their first playoff win, and now the No. 8 seed has a 2-1 lead over the NBA’s best team during the regular season.
Memphis could become just the fourth team to knock off the top-seeded team.
Marc Gasol scored 17 points, Mike Conley had 14 and O.J. Mayo had 10.
Game 4 is Monday night in Memphis.