2013 NBA Playoffs – Western Conference Finals Game #2
#5 Memphis Grizzlies at #2 San Antonio Spurs
Spurs Lead Best of Seven Series 1-0
Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 9:05 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
AT&T Center – San Antonio, Texas
Opening Line: San Antonio -4 1/2
Current Line: San Antonio -5
Opening Total: 184 1/2
Current Total: 182
Opening Money Line: Spurs -210 / Grizzlies +180
Current Money Line: Spurs -215 / Grizzlies +185
Before the Western Conference Finals began most experts were picking the upstart Memphis Grizzlies to upset the San Antonio Spurs. They still might, but the veteran Spurs heard all the talk and wanted to send a message in game one. San Antonio jumped out a 17 point lead in the first quarter and would never trail again. Memphis would pull to within six points in the third quarter, but the Spurs would pull away in a 105-83 rout. The Spurs shot 52.6% from the field including a blistering 14 of 29 from 3 point range. Memphis was held to 43.2% shooting including 5 of 12 from 3 point range.
Tony Parker scored 20 points and added 9 assists for the Spurs. Forward Kawhi Leaonard scored 18 points. Guard Danny Green added 16 points. The Spurs only got 14 total points from Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli. The two stars contributed in other ways though. Duncan had 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Ginobli had 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Memphis forward Quincy Pondexter scored 17 points to lead the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol scored 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Mike Conley added 14 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds. Forward Zach Randolph scored only 2 points and also had 7 rebounds. He needs to score more for the Grizzlies to have a chance.
It was nice for the Spurs to take game one, but it really means nothing. The Grizzlies lost the first two games of the series at the LA Clippers in the first round and won 4 straight games to win the series in six. In the second round The Grizzlies lost the first game to the Oklahoma City Thunder and then won four straight to take the series. Last year, the Spurs won the first two games of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder but ended up losing the series in six. The home team has won all five games this season between the Spurs and Grizzlies.
Memphis is coached by Lionel Hollins. Memphis is 56-36-2 ATS and the total is 38-54-1 this season. Memphis is outscoring teams 94-90 this season. They are first in the league in points allowed and are #26 in scoring. The Grizzlies are shooting 44.4% from the field and 34.5% from 3 point range. The Grizzlies are #21 in field goal percentage and #24 in three point shooting. Memphis is #9 in the league in free throw shooting at 77.3% from the line. The Grizzlies average 42.6 rebounds per game and give up 39. Memphis is #1 in rebounds allowed and #12 in rebounding. Grizzlies’ opponents are shooting 43.7% from the field and 33.9% from 3 point range. Memphis is #3 in both categories. The Grizzlies average 20.9 assists, 8.6 steals, 5.3 blocks and 13.2 turnovers a game.
In the playoffs, forward Zach Randolph averages 19.7 points, 9.3 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.9 assists per game. Point Guard Mike Conley, Jr. averages 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Center Marc Gasol averages 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, a steal, and 2.2 blocks per game. Forward Tayshawn Prince was acquired from the Detroit Pistons in the Rudy Gay trade. He is averaging 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in the playoffs. Tony Allen starts at shooting guard and is one of the best defenders in the league. Allen averages 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Point guard Jerryd Bayless, forward Quincy Pondexter, forward Darrell Arthur, guard Tony Wroten, and forwards Ed Davis and Austin Daye make up the rest of the rotation.
San Antonio is coached by Gregg Popovich. The Spurs are 47-44-2 ATS and the total is 41-50-2 this season. San Antonio is outscoring teams 103-96. The Spurs are #4 in scoring and #9 in points allowed. The Spurs are shooting 48.2% from the field and 37.6% from 3 point range. San Antonio is in the top 5 in the league in both categories. The Spurs are #3 in free throw shooting at 79% from the line. San Antonio averages 41.4 rebounds and give up 42.4 per game. Spurs’ opponents are shooting 44.1% from the field and 35% from 3 point range. San Antonio is in the top 10 in both categories. The Spurs average 25.1 assists, 8.5 steals, 5.5 blocks, and 14.1 turnovers.
In the playoffs, Parker is averaging 22.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. Duncan is averaging 18.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Leonard is averaging 13.4 points, and 8.2 rebounds. He is probable with a knee injury. Manu Ginobli is averaging 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. Guard Danny Green is averaging 10 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Gary Neal, Boris Diaw, Tiago Splitter, Matt Bonner, and Cory Joseph make up the rest of the rotation.
Memphis is 5-0 ATS in Tuesday games, and after failing to cover, 4-0 after a straight up loss, 10-1 against teams with winning records, and on one day rest, 5-1 in road games, and against teams with winning home records, 4-1 after the opponent scores 100 points or more, and after a straight up loss, 17-5-1 overall, 16-5-1 against Western Conference teams, and 6-2 after allowing 100 points or more.
San Antonio is 5-1 ATS after a straight up win of more than 10 points, 4-1 against teams with winning records, overall, and against Western Conference teams, 5-2 after a cover, and on one day rest, 7-3 in Tuesday games, 6-13 after a straight up win, 4-11 after the opponent allows 100 points or more, 3-9 after scoring 100 points or more, and 1-4 in conference final games. The Spurs are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings against the Grizzlies, and 4-1-1 in San Antonio in the series recently.
San Antonio won’t shoot 50% from 3 point range again. That was an aberration against the league’s best defensive team. The Grizzlies will play with much more intensity Tuesday night. If Memphis can steal this game then they have an excellent shot to take the series with games 3 and 4 in the Grindhouse in Memphis.
