2011 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game #5
#8 Memphis Grizzlies at #1 San Antonio Spurs (MEM leads series 3-1)
Best of 7 series format, 2-2-1-1-1
AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 8:35 pm Eastern, TV: NBA TV
Opening Line: Spurs -7
Current Line: Spurs – 6 1/2
Opening Total: 189
Current Total: 189
Money Line: Spurs -280 / Grizzlies +240
While many people thought this series could end in five games, almost no one thought it would be the 61 win Spurs on the brink of elimination. The Memphis Grizzlies had not won a playoff game before this year and now are one win away from advancing to the second round for the first time in franchise history. The Grizzlies crushed the Spurs Monday night in Memphis 104-86. The Spurs were up by 2 at halftime, but Memphis outscored them 30-15 in the third quarter and the rout was on. The other three games in the series were decided by 6 points or less. Memphis won game 1 101-98 in San Antonio, and The Spurs rebounded with a 93-87 win in game 2. The Grizzlies won game #3 91-88 in Memphis.
In Monday’s game 4 loss, Tony Parker led the Spurs with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal, but he also had 7 turnovers. Manu Ginobli is nursing an elbow injury that caused him to miss the first game of the series. He scored 14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the game 4 loss. Tim Duncan struggled with only 6 points and 7 rebounds. Back-up point guard George Hill added 10 points off the bench. Gary Neal added 11 points, and forward Tiago Splitter added 10 points both off the bench as well. The Spurs shot 47% from the field and were 5 for 18 from 3 point range. They were 11 out of 14 from the free throw line. The Spurs had 37 rebounds, 16 assists and 17 turnovers. They had 16 fast break points and 46 points in the paint.
Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley led Memphis with 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists. Power Forward Zach Randolph had 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Tony Allen had 12 points. Marc Gasol had 9 points and 9 rebounds. Reserve power forward Darrell Arthur added 14 points off the bench. O.J. Mayo added 11 points also off the bench. Memphis shot almost 51% from the field, including 5 for 12 from 3 point range. They made 17 of their 21 free throw attempts. The Grizzlies had 39 rebounds, 22 assists, and 9 turnovers. The Grizzlies had 11 fast break points and 42 points in the paint.
The Spurs are 9-7 straight up in the last 16 against the Grizzlies, but Memphis is 11-5 ATS in those games. The over is 9-7 in those games. Memphis is 56-29 ATS in all games this season, including 29-11 as an underdog, 28-15 in road games, 16-4 versus division opponents, 14-2 after an upset win in the last game, 32-14 against teams with winning records, and 35-14 versus teams scoring 99 points or more a game. The Spurs are 7-18 ATS in home games where the total is between 185 and 190. The Spurs are 4-14 ATS in all playoff games the last 3 seasons.
Memphis forward Rudy Gay is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Guards Jason Williams and Xavier Henry are both out indefinitely. In fact Williams retired last week with a back injury. San Antonio has no injuries listed right now, but they are a little banged up with Ginobli still recovering and Antonio McDyess strained his neck in game 3. He played in game 4 so he should be fine for this game.
The Grizzlies are a pretty young team and might feel a little nervous as they try to close out the Spurs. One of the toughest things to do is close out an opponent. The Heat, Thunder, Bulls, and Hawks have all lost close-out games in the playoffs so far, though the Bulls did advance on Tuesday night against Indiana in the second attempt. The Celtics are the only team that won their close-out game in their first attempt. The Grizzlies might let their guard down a little as they know they have game 6 at home, a place where San Antonio hasn’t won this season. The proud Spurs will not go down without a fight and I think they respond with a win after the humiliating beatdown they suffered Monday night.
Check out our NBA odds page for the best line for this game and every other playoff game.
