Memphis trailed in the final minute when Shane Battier buried a 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds left, putting the Grizzlies ahead 99-98. San Antonio had a chance to force overtime, but Richard Jefferson missed an open 3-pointer as time expired.
When the buzzer sounded, Memphis players spilled off the bench and celebrated the franchise's first playoff win in 13 tries.
Tony Parker led the Spurs with 20 points, but they sorely missed All-Star Manu Ginobili, who continued to rest his sprained right elbow.
