Spurs down Grizzlies while Raptors beat the Heat in NBA (AFP)

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points and Kawhi Leonard added 19 to power San Antonio over visiting Memphis 97-90 on Thursday, moving the Spurs within two games of NBA-leading Golden State. Australian reserve Patty Mills netted 15 points and French guard Tony Parker contributed 13 as the Spurs improved to 55-16 with their third consecutive triumph, staying within range of the pace-setting Warriors (57-14) with 11 games remaining. Aldridge cracked the 15,000-point mark for his NBA career with a jumper in the fourth quarter.