Great start, but a lot of things went the Spurs way:
o Role players, especially guys known for struggling on a bigger stage (i.e. Bonner) all stepped up and made a ton of 3's. Sure most were good looks, but there were a few heat checks in there as well that splashed. Obviously can't rely on that always.
o Zbo was a non factor. While the Spurs are more well equipped to handle him this time around, you have to imagine he will be more of a factor on offense and on the glass.
Getting points from the Spurs bench/role players is huge and would go a long way to cracking 90 every game - especially if TP is going to look this good. However, I am still extraordinarily concerned about the level of Tim Duncan's game. Turnovers, can't find any offense at all, shot off and after the first quarter he continues to look pretty damn sluggish. Ya, the Spurs shooting today masked the Spurs bigs not producing offensively, but can that sustain? I have some doubts.
Great win - but a lot of weird stats and still some major concerns.
The Grizzlies aren't the Thunder, though. Even though many, including me, picked the Spurs to win that series, we all knew going in how they could lose. The only way I see how they could lose this series, is injuries. Great news on that front, as Parker looked physically right and despite the persisting pain, Leonard did too. As long as that continues (and they don't suffer some other significant injury in the process, of course), they're not losing this series.
Great start. Still think it will be a 6 or 7 game series.
A lot of mutual respect and courteous behavior and smiles from both teams - but wait a game or two - and it will turn into animosity and cheap shots from grizz players. If this mutual respect continues -Spurs win series handily.
If the grizz get nasty and lose that courteous behavior - then it will be a tougher road but Spurs will grind it out.
Memphis came out playing the speed they did against OKC, clearly expecting the 2011 Spurs. They'll learn their lesson, but there aren't that many adjustments they can make. Anyone who thinks the Spurs won this game at the three point line wasn't paying attention.
They most definitely won the game at the three point line. I don't see how you can refute that. It's not that they took bad shots - most shots they got were pretty damn good, but they attempted about 30 3-pointers and made 14 or 15. The ball movement was very good (aside from quite a few really silly turnovers, but they kept those at an overall managable number) and they did plenty of good things, but they got no interior scoring from Diaw/Duncan/Tiago and that 3 ball made everything go.
Not necessarily a bad thing, but if your starting PF/C comine for 7 points on 30% FG, the 3-ball is definitely a saving grace.
Example of someone not paying attention. Perfect timing.
lol O_V
Unless you were referring to defensively? I mean, if we are speaking about offensively, then I would love to see what you have to say here.
Do I have to go back and watch the game for you? The Spurs rebounded the ball magnificently (The Grizzlies had 4 of their 10 offensive rebounds in garbage time). The Spurs took care of the ball. They shot 55 percent on their twos, and were so dominant that Memphis left them wide open for jumpers.
Honest to god, I'm unsure how you require convincing that the 15 extra points they got from three pointers aren't really a "saving grace" when they won by 25. Three point shooting was a bigger factor in Memphis coming back temporarily in the third quarter than it was for the Spurs.
If the Spurs play good defense I don't think the Grizzlies can score enough points.
I just hope the Spurs continue this boring, bland flavor of basketball
So as we all can now see, they aren't going away quickly. I'm sure some of you will be whining about the officiating but the fact is that Memphis has been coming back from big deficits all year. Officiating alone doesn't cause a 9pt fourth quarter.
Now the series begins.
Memphis was also +14 on the glass and pulled down 19 offensive boards.
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