@ Final Records Spurs 57-25 (.695) 3rd West Grizzlies 50-32 (.610) 6th West Series Outlook: Spurs - 2, Grizzlies - 0 Probable Starting Lineups <u>Backcourt</u> Jason Williams/Tony Parker Mike Miller/Hedo Turkoglu <u>Frontcourt</u> James Posey/Bruce Bowen Pau Gasol/Tim Duncan Lorenzen Wright/Rasho Nesterovic <u>Sixth Men</u> Bonzi Wells/Emanuel Ginobili Injury Update Memphis Grizzlies N/A San Antonio Spurs N/A <u>Memphis? Statistical Leaders</u> PPG - Pau Gasol - 17.7 RPG - Pau Gasol - 7.7 APG - Jason Williams - 6.8 <u>San Antonio's Statistical Leaders</u> PPG - Tim Duncan - 22.3 RPG - Tim Duncan - 12.4 APG - Tony Parker - 5.5 Key Matchups The Memphis Grizzlies' Bench and the San Antonio Spurs' bench - Memphis' bench was outperformed by San Antonio's bench in the previous game. Memphis' bench has a reputation for being the best bench in the league, and Saturday night they didn't live up to it. Bonzi Wells played great, but the rest of the team had little playoff experience and played terrible. Lorenzen Wright and Rasho Nesterovic - In game one, Rasho let his experience show. He absolutely dominated Wright. Sadly, Wright is their biggest body inside and their best rebounder. If they just play Jake Tsakalidas, they should do fine. However, it looks like they're going with Wright. Pau Gasol and Tim Duncan - Pau Gasol was absolutely terrible in game one. He was letting Duncan have everything, without doing anything on the offensive end himself. He needs to become more assertive. I don't expect things to make a big turn-around. Duncan should still dictate the pace of this game. <u>Keys to the series</u> Grizzlies - Get fastbreak points. The Grizzlies win when they take their game to the fastbreak. - Contain Duncan. This is one of the biggest cliche?s ever, but it?s a key. - Spread the love. The Grizzlies win with great ball distribution. Good luck J-Will. Spurs - Endurance. The Grizzlies can go 10 deep, and it wears a lot of teams out. - Pressure Gasol downlow. Another cliche, but another key. - Don?t make stupid mistakes. They obviously have the advantage, they just need to stay away from stupid mistakes. Rudeezy's take The Spurs have dominated the first two games of this series winning both games in blowout fashion. The series is heading to Memphis and the Grizz will come out ready to play. Will the Spurs be able to match their itensity? We're talking about the defending champions, of coarse they will. The Spurs will win this one in a close one and take the 3-0 series lead. Spurs 94 Grizz 87 <font size="4">Preview by Wave</font>
Thanks for posting the preview, Rudeezy. I had a hard time finding computer time. I've got to get off now, but I'm taking the Grizzlies in this one. I'll be at this game rooting them on.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Wave:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks for posting the preview, Rudeezy. I had a hard time finding computer time. I've got to get off now, but I'm taking the Grizzlies in this one. I'll be at this game rooting them on. </div>Sweet, maybe I'll see you on tv tonight. Just dont be too disappointed when the Grizz lose tonight. :mrgreen:
I expect Memphis to take this one, they have no choice...A loss tonight and they will get swept. Being back at home the crowd should give them a real boost. They finished 31-10 at home this year so that should count for something.
Yea, I really think this game could go either way. I am just giving the Spurs the edge because of their experience. They won't be fazed playing in Memphis, but will they be able to match the intensity of the home team?
Tough question, Spurs have been in this situation before but then again no team is unstoppable, S.A will lose games...like any team can on any given night. Memphis will have their fans rocking all night in their first playoff game. I expect that to give them a boost and get their break going. James Posey is due for a great shooting night, Spurs always need to be aware of a letdown. It has happened before Jason Williams is the key to this game for me, he needs to outplay Parker as so far TP has completely dominated J-Will...That needs to change If Memphis are to win.
I also think Hubie will play a big role in determining the game's outcome. By that I mean his decision to stick with his 10 man rotation or shorten it up and go with the hot hand. This should be an interesting one to watch.
Wow, that place is rocking. Good to see in Memphis, should give the Grizz an extra push. -------------------------------------- The Grizz jumped out to a ten point lead in the first quarter but could not hold on to it as the Spurs took the lead after one. Great poise by the Spurs.
The Grizzlies are competing with the Spurs tonight, and have had a 10 point lead. The Spurs are having trouble at the line, especially Tim Duncan (2-6). So far the Spurs are outrebounding the Grizzlies 34-23 and are up 74-71 with 52 seconds left in the 3rd. Tony Parker and Hedo Turkoglu have 18 points leading all scorers.It's a whole different game today. Edit: 74 - 74 at the end of the 3rd.
We got a great game in the making, tie game with about 7 minutes left. This could go either way right now. ------------------------ The Grizzlies unexperience has once again come into play. The Grizz will have the ball with 9 secs left and down by three. This is the series right here, if they lose, SWEEP.
Wow, you couldn't ask for anymore out of a playoff game. The Grizz put themselves into a position to win it at the end but couldn't hit the game winner. The Spurs almost lost the game for themselves at the free throw line. Just a complete lack of focus. Their experience and superior defense won this game for them tonight. There were a few things down the stretch that I didn't agree on with regard to Hubie. 1) He put the ball in Gasol's hands with about a minute to play with Duncan guarding him. Duncan is a premier low post defender in the NBA. Gasol doesn't stand a chance against him. They got a horrible shot while he was falling to the game which led to a shot clock violation. 2)He put the ball in Bonzi Wells hands on their last possesion when they were down by 2 and he had arguably the best defender in the League in Bruce Bowen guarding him. These were two unfavorable match ups for the Grizz and it turned out disasterous for them. With that said the Spurs played a great game. A young, inexperienced Spurs team would have been blown out tonight, but every time this team made a run the Spurs veterans were right there to answer them. Great game from the Defending champs! SWEEP!
Additional info about Game 3. <font color="blue">Game Recap</font> <font color="blue">BoxScore</font>
How did Posey react against Bowen? He's good at both ends. That was the matchup I wanted to watch. Was Malik Rose much of a factor? Also how did the battle of the PG's go if you don't mind me asking?
That was an amazing game, first real time that Memphis looked like winning a game. Once again Duncan had his way inside. I can't say enough about what Robert Horry is doing out there, he had pulled down 12 huge rebounds tonight..although he didn't reach double fiqures in points he still did what his team needed Tony Parker had another strong shooting game, Williams had the better of the match-up for the first quarter but made bad decisions late on. It also looks like Hedo has found his jumpshot again.
