I Know It Sounds Stupid ... But Isn't Game 3 a Must-Win?

[DMC]

It is a must win, absolutely. The Grizz turned the momentum going into their own arena, and the Spurs need to take that back. We have to win on the road, I think, and putting them down 3-0 will sap the hopes of their fans, the writers and most of the non-seasoned players.

[DMC]

Yes but for me it depends on the Heat also. Say we win and get to the finals but the Pacers beat the Heat
So Spurs vs Pacers. Should we win it all then would It be considered another *(asterisk) championship?

Uh no. If you can beat a team that beat the champs, that's better than beating the champs.

Is your question even serious?

[Reck]

Nope.

[Ellsworth]

Definitely must win this game 3 & go for the sweep or go home & close it out in 5... otherwise, this could go 6-7 games.

[baseline bum]

No such thing as a must-win up 2-0.

[DarrinS]

Must win for the Griz... not for the Spurs... the reality is that the Spurs don't have to win a single road game and would still advance as long as they take care of home...

That said, a Spurs win tonight would be a major series-buster, IMO...

This

[hater]

spurs are losing game 3. wake up

Spurs in 6. thinking game 3 is a must win

[chapnis]

Game 3 is a must win if the spurs want to sweep the series...

[manufan10]

It sounds really dumb but I think it is.

1. The way the schedule works out, this is San Antonio's best chance to win a road game. From here on our, there's no more than a day off between games. No matter how much we wish it weren't true, these Spurs are very prone to fatigue and/or injuries. Game 3 stands out as the golden opportunity to get a momentous win.

2. If the Grizzlies win, history will probably be creeping into both teams' minds. The Spurs will think about what happened last year following their 2-0 WCF lead. The Grizzlies will think about their comeback series wins against the Clippers and Thunder in these playoffs.

3. The Grizzlies are most susceptible right now due to the fact they are behind the Spurs in terms of figuring out a gameplan. The Spurs know what they have to do gameplan-wise and need very few adjustments going forward. The Grizzlies, by comparison, are a mess. They will likely try an altered rotation in Game 3 -- which may or may not work as they hope.

4. Common sense says the Grizzlies' style of play will become more effective as the series progresses. They'll be able to "grit and grind" more as San Antonio's energy wanes. By a hypothetical Game 6 or 7, fatigue from dealing with the Grizzlies (in addition to the lack of rest) could be just as much of a concern as what Memphis does on the court.

Gotta get this one.

1.

timvp = Bill Simmons

Simmons said brought up some of the same points during the pregame show.

[100%duncan]

This is a big game, but not a must win. I do think a split is a MUST, but we won't be so exhausted from Game 3 that we can't win Game 4.

That said, I think Game 3 is the more likely win. But not a MUST win.

Only my 2 cents.

Same thought.

[Splits]

First half of the le answers the question posed.

[dbreiden83080]

IF the Spurs only way to win a le is get a lot of vacation time in between games

it's not happening..

[Reck]

For the people thinking this is a must win game, might as well jump off the bridge now.

[superbigtime]

doesn't look like spurs got the message.

[Sigz]

Told you all.

We gonna get ass raped.

[rascal]

This is not a must win and neither is a split a must win. As long as the Spurs take care of their home games they win this series.

[rascal]

I don't agree that this game is a must win.

I do, however, think this game means the difference between this being an easy series and being a long, grueling (perhaps even losable) battle. Like others, I feel like this is the Spurs best opportunity to steal one on the road. Doing so would break the Grizzlies psyche, put them in the impossible 0-3 hole, and relieve a lot of pressure on the Spurs after what happened last year against OKC.

It also could be the difference of the Spurs getting a few days rest if they are able to make it to the Finals, or having to battle through another 6-game series like they did against Golden State. And we all know how much rest can benefit guys like Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and Leonard.

Don't play with fire. They need to step on the throat now, make the Grizzlies feel like they have no chance, and make life easy for themselves.

This was not going to be an easy game. Too much is being made on the Spurs getting extra rest as being a good thing for them BUT. The extra days off helped Memphis regroup and work hard in practice on getting their defense up. It seems like a new series to Memphis with the extra rest and change of venue.

[Obstructed_View]

I seriously hope your vaginectomy goes well this summer.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I seriously hope your vaginectomy goes well this summer.

[Stabula]

is timvp still on suicide watch?

[lakerhaterade]

timvpimp needs to continue to be near suicidal in his spur-related takes..it's workin so far..

[polandprzem]

timvpimp needs to continue to be near suicidal in his spur-related takes..it's workin so far..

Is it?

How about round one and 2?

[TrainOfThought5]

Damn who stole timvps testicles?

[K-State Spur]

Really disagree with the premise. LOVE that the Spurs got game 3, but to me "must win" means there's a 90%+ chance of losing the series if we drop that game. Even if it had gone 2-1, I'd feel the Spurs are in a 50/50 situation at WORST.

[dbreiden83080]

Game 4 is a must win for the Spurs..

Just go with it..