Memphis Grizzlies: Closing Time

Apr 7, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) looks on from the court during the second half against the New York Knicks at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) looks on from the court during the second half against the New York Knicks at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Last night, the Memphis Grizzlies fell to the San Antonio Spurs 103-96 in a hard fought six-game series.

The Memphis Grizzlies started out slow at the beginning of the first quarter. Their offense was stagnant, and the Spurs, well, were being the Spurs.

Then, the Grizzlies were down 20-10, and Mike Conley came off the floor. Then, out of all things, Andrew Harrison hit back-to-back three pointers to put the Grizzlies within three points.

After that, Harrison made a huge deflection off Patty Mills to get the Grizzlies one last possession before the quarter ended. That ended in a Mike Conley three to end the first quarter and put the squad down by two.

Memphis continued their momentum into the second quarter. They outscored the Spurs 28-21 in the quarter.

Mike Conley capped off the first half with a dagger right between Kawhi Leonard’s eyes to give the Grizzlies a 50-45 lead.

Well, the third quarter was a bit of a struggle, as it has been all season. The Spurs took back the lead 75-74, but the Grizzlies “weathered the storm” and were still confident going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, the Grizzlies were rolling and up seven points with less than six minutes. Unfortunately, they lost it from there and

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the San Antonio Spurs capitalized on every mistake as they usually do.

Tony Parker hit some clutch shots down the stretch. Kawhi put on his cape and made some shots.

Crashing the Glass

In addition to Parker and Leonard taking over the game, the Spurs didn’t beat the Grizzlies in many categories, but one of the few they did was the one that ultimately won the game for the Spurs.

That said category was offensive rebounds. The Spurs crashed the offensive glass all night, winning the battle 16-7.

That is what the Spurs do. They had a game plan to set high screens to force Zach Randolph on Tony Parker, let Kawhi be Kawhi, and crash the damn glass.

In the end, the guys were right there, but they couldn’t just pull it out.

Next: No Player to Blame in This One

Closing Remarks

What a season for the Memphis Grizzlies. They gave a 61-win team all they could handle without their two best wing players.

They now have some decisions to make this offseason, but the future looks bright.

Until next season, Grizz Nation.