But Parker got up every time, of course, then went right back to putting the Grizzlies down. His 18-footer fading left with 4:13 left pushed the lead to eight when it was growing smaller by the minute, and he did it again when it counted most to finish this most impressive of jobs. With 21 seconds remaining, Parker drove to the rim and was sent sprawling to the floor by Jerryd Bayless. His two free-throws put the Spurs up 93-86.

The Grizzlies looked defeated in the mid-third quarter, when the masterful Parker scored 14 points in less than eight minutes in a flurry of jumpers, floaters and one particular layup that sent Gasol into a fit of fury. With Kawhi Leonard inbounding from the right, Parker cut to the rim all by himself, and the bounce pass and bucket put the Spurs up 65-54.

WEIRD: Parker wasn't turned away from restaurant

WATCH: Most spectacular pass of the West finals

Gasol pounded the scorer's table on his way back to a deflated huddle, but it would all turn around from there. Quincy Pondexter provided the spark, hitting a three and a layup that were part of a 12-4 run that cut the Spurs' lead to 72-66 entering the fourth.

The energy and swagger was back for the Grizzlies and their fans, who sang along to the team's favorite rap ditty of We Don't Bluff during a break in the action. But Parker was quick to remind them that he doesn't either. After an Allen putback layup brought Memphis within three early in the fourth, Parker buried a three with 9:15 remaining that gave the Spurs breathing room and took the air out of the building yet again.

"We want to get back there," Duncan said of making the Finals. "We've had some really close years where we fell right on the verge of getting back. It feels like forever since we've been there."