2011 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game #2
#8 Memphis Grizzlies at #1 San Antonio Spurs (MEM leads series 1-0)
Best of Seven Series, format 2-2-1-1-1
AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 8:35 pm Eastern, TV: NBA TV
Opening Line: Spurs -7
Current Line: Spurs -8 1/2
Opening Total: 195 1/2
Current Total: 196
Money Line: Spurs -475 / Grizzlies +375
On Sunday afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies upset the San Antonio Spurs 101-98. Spurs forward Manu Ginobli missed that game with an elbow injury, but is probable for game #2. The Spurs are 1-5 in playoff games that Ginobli missed since he came into the league. Interestingly, when the Spurs won their 4 championships in the last 12 years they lost their first playoff game each time.
Memphis won their first ever playoff game on Sunday having been swept out of the first round in three previous trips to the post-season. Memphis was led by dominant front court play from Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Randolph had 25 points and 14 rebounds in the win. He suffered a head injury but is probable for game #2. If you saw a headline that said “Gasol has 24 points and 9 rebounds in playoff win” you would naturally assume it was Lakers star Pau, but actually little brother Marc outscored his brother by a 3 to 1 margin in their respective playoff games Sunday. Point Guard Mike Conley added 15 points and 10 assists in the win. O.J. Mayo added 13 points off the bench. Shane Battier had 10 points none more important than a go ahead three pointer with 23 seconds left. George Hill missed a 3 pointer with 10 seconds left for the Spurs, and Tony Allen then made 2 free throws for the Grizzlies to put them up by 3. Spurs forward Richard Jefferson missed a tying 3-pointer as time expired.
The Spurs had 6 players in double figures, including 4 starters. Tony Parker had 20 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals to lead San Antonio. Tim Duncan added 16 points and 13 rebounds. Hill had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Jefferson scored 13 points and had 6 rebounds. Forward Matt Bonner added 12 points and Guard Gary Neal added 10 points off the bench. The Spurs forced 16 turnovers and only had 10 of their own in the loss. They were out rebounded 38-29 by the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies shot 55.2% from the field and the Spurs were only 40% from the field.
The Spurs are 8-5 straight up versus the Grizzlies in the last 3 seasons, but Memphis is 8-5 ATS in those games. Eight of those thirteen games have gone over the total.
Though the Grizzliez are the 8th seed in the West, they have two wins over the Lakers, Mavericks, Spurs, and Thunder, along with wins over the Heat, Magic and Celtics. They aren’t afraid to play with anyone, even though they don’t have a lot of playoff experience from head coach Lionel Hollins on down.
Memphis forward Rudy Gay is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Guards Jason Williams (back) and Xavier Henry (knee) are both out indefinitely. The Spurs have no other injuries besides the Ginobli situation. Ginobli wanted to play in game #1 but Spurs coach Greg Popovich sat him down as a precaution with a sprained elbow. Ginobli is officially listed as a game time decision but all indications are he will play. Hollins thinks he will play and expects him to play well. “He lets Tony Parker be in the corner on the wing, and he handles the ball on the pick and roll, and now he throws it back out and there’s Tony Parker — who’s a jet — attacking the basket,” Hollins said. “They just miss one of their primary playmakers.”
I think Ginobli will make the difference and the Spurs will take the split to Memphis for game #2 Saturday night. The Spurs are a veteran team and are perfectly capable of winning on the road. The Grizzlies already accomplished the goal of a road team in the playoffs of winning at least one to take home court advantage and could be in for a letdown emotionally. The Spurs felt embarrassed by the Game #1 loss and must win tonight. They should cover the 8 point number.
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