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Memphis Grizzlies Game 5 Recap: Mills Makes Mince Meat of Memphis

By Jake Finnen

Apr 25, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (8) shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills (8) shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the San Antonio Spurs 103-116 in Game 5, going down in the series 3-2. Memphis looks to respond at home in Game 6.

You had to see this one coming. The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the San Antonio Spurs, 116-103. The Spurs rarely lose two in a row, so the chances they dropped three straight was highly unlikely. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. There wasn’t one play that decided the game. The refs weren’t bad. It came down to the bench production.

Bench Play

Patty Mills went bananas, and the only Grizzly that could respond was Mike Conley. The Grizzlies managed to spread the production around nicely, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Spurs proficiency.

Seeing James Ennis finally score was pleasing. JaMychal Green hitting the corner three in David Lee’s mouth was just as good. What’s not good is when the Spurs are working like the well-oiled machine they are notorious for being.

Exactly when you think you might have have a chance to do the impossible, Popovich and the Spurs remind you that you’re ants, and he holds the magnifying glass. The Spurs did Spur things, and that’s that.

The Spurs depth is well known. What may not be so well known is that David Bertans going 1-for-5 from deep is a rarity. Bertans is not the most productive player, but he knows he can shoot with the best of them and he had his looks. If he starts to hit, it will only make things worse for the Grizzlies.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

Game 6 is back in Memphis. For some reason, the Grizzlies struggle mightily on the road. Like, bottom of the league bad. But at home, they’re championship contenders. It’s crazy and annoying and too predictable as a viewer. As seemingly good this may be, this isn’t good.

The Spurs play more home games, and the numbers favor San Antonio. Not only must the Grizz win Game 6, but they need to figure out to beat

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the Spurs at home, something they haven’t done all season. They need to stop Kawhi. Now that Manu, Patty Mills, and a frighteningly quiet LaMarcus Aldridge have entered the mix, Memphis NEEDS to win handily in Game 6.

It’s clear the Grizzlies cannot win on the backs of just Conley and Gasol. It needs to be a team effort, and that means efficient production from everyone.

As for Game 6, I’ll throw a few very early, very bold predictions at ya.

  • Gasol scores 25, Conley goes for 30, Selden gets 15.
  • Grizzlies win by 7.
  • Kawhi has an off game. Not a bad game, an off game. 5+ turnovers, below 50 percent shooting.
  • LaMarcus Aldridge comes out of nowhere to give Memphis a Game 6  scare. At least 24 points.
  • Grizz win, 101-94
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