The San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks used fast starts to take control of their respective play-off series on Tuesday night.
The Spurs took a 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference series against the Memphis Grizzlies with a dominating performance as they won game two 94-68.
The tone was set as Memphis managed only 11 points in the opening quarter – and by the end San Antonio could afford to sit LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker for the entire fourth quarter while giving Tim Duncan and Danny Green extended rests.
Patty Mills led the Spurs with 16 points while Kawhi Leonard added 13.
Tony Allen had 12 points for Memphis while Zach Randolph collected 11 points and 12 boards.
Stat o' the night: Memphis attempted 20 more field goals than the Spurs (86 to 66). And nearly lost by 30.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) April 20, 2016
The Atlanta Hawks lead the Boston Celtics 2-0 after turning a blistering start into an 89-72 win.
The Hawks outscored Boston 24-7 in the opening quarter and the end result never seemed in doubt thereafter in this Eastern Conference series.
The opening period was the lowest-scoring opening quarter in a play-off game since the shot clock was introduced in 1954.
Al Horford and Kyle Korver led Atlanta with 17 points each.
