Grizzlies/Spurs: Round 4.
As a franchise, the Memphis Grizzlies have played more big games against the San Antonio Spurs than any other team in the league. In fact, it’s not even close.
Since they both reside in the NBA’s Southwest Division, the Grizzlies and Spurs play four times every regular season, even in this truncated season.
That’s just the regular season, let us not forget that of the Grizzlies’ four playoff appearances, half of them have come against the Spurs. Nobody is going to forget the emotional, thrilling round 1 shootout in the 2011 playoffs where the Grizzlies became just the fourth 8 seed to upset a 1 seed, joining the 1994 Denver Nuggets, the 1999 New York Knicks and the 2007 Golden State Warriors.
It wasn’t just the fact that the Grizzlies actually won the series, but you could make a serious case that they could have swept the Spurs in four straight games. Remember, the Grizzlies led with less than 30 seconds on the clock in game 2 and the Spurs had to have a foot three pointer from Gary Neal to tie game 5, a game they eventually won in overtime.
The Grizzlies also made their first playoff appearance against San Antonio in 2004, where they were swept by the defending world champions that were led by arguably the best player in the game at the time in Tim Duncan.
In addition to the 2003 World Championship, the Spurs also won titles in 1999, 2005 and 2007 and until last year, had never lost in the first round of the playoffs in the Duncan/Popovich era.
The Spurs are getting it done in 2012 with their old big three (Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili) and few other overly heralded players. It’s really a testament to Popovich’s ability to mold talent and mentally prepare guys to focus on what they can do.
San Antonio has all but clinched the Southwest Division championship, and remains in the hunt for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. With a win tonight, the Spurs will also clinch a season sweep over the Grizzlies.
Traditionally, Memphis has struggled in San Antonio, as do most teams, but it bears mentioning that the Grizzlies won game 1 in San Antonio last spring.
The Spurs are coming off a home loss to the Lakers who were without Kobe Bryant, and the Grizzlies are coming off a scrappy home win against Phoenix last night.
I’m curious as to whether Tony Allen will be able to return to the Memphis lineup or not. He got hit in the mouth in the Mavericks game in Dallas a week ago and hasn’t played since. He has been as active as ever on Twitter, though.
My Prediction:
Grizzlies: 85
Spurs: 89.
Look, I know that the Grizzlies are capable of beating the Spurs, and you should too. That said, the Spurs are coming off a loss and are a proud, veteran team. The Grizzlies are playing good ball, but I want to see if they can keep handling success. A lot of people are on their bandwagon this week and bad things usually happens when that occurs.
A loss on the road tonight against one of the best teams in the league could be just the dose of medicine the Grizzlies need to stay humble and refocus before their playoff run begins.