Sports

Unlikely trio of Gasol, Conley, Randolph help lead Memphis Grizzlies to 1st conference final

Associated Press
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FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2012, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Darius Morris, center, dives for a loose ball against Memphis Grizzlies defenders Marc Gasol (33), Mike Conley (11) and Zach Randolph during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn. Gasol, Conley and Randolph together may be the unlikeliest trio to lead a team, they have the Grizzlies in their first Western Conference final against San Antonio. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey, File) (The Associated Press)

Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol reacts to a call against him during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals NBA basketball playoff series in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 15, 2013. Memphis won 88-84. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) (The Associated Press)

The Miami Heat have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Spurs have dominated for years with the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Now the Memphis Grizzlies, who traded their leading scorer in January, have surged into their first Western Conference finals behind a very unlikely Big Three of their own.

Marc Gasol still is Pau's little brother to some. Memphis thought about trading guard Mike Conley, the son of a track star, early in his career. And Memphis is Zach Randolph's fourth NBA team.

Conley said Friday the three all worked harder after Rudy Gay was traded, knowing they had to step up to get to where they wanted.

The Grizzlies play the Spurs in Game 1 on Sunday in San Antonio.