San Antonio Spurs Stumble in Playoff Opener Against Grizzlies
To steal a line from the great Rooster Cogburn, that didn't pan out.
Yes, in case you weren't watching, I'm afraid the San Antonio Spurs lost the first game of their playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies by the final of 101-98. It was a competitive game from start to finish, but the Grizzlies ultimately outplayed the Western Conference's top seed to earn the first playoff victory in franchise history.
Obviously, it's not like the Spurs were blown out. They had a 98-96 lead with less than 30 seconds to go in the game, but Shane Battier put the Grizzlies on top for good with a huge three-pointer with 23 seconds to go. Richard Jefferson had a chance to tie things up with a three of his own at the buzzer, but he misfired.
"I was wide open," Jefferson said, according to Associated Press.
Yes you were, Richard, but it's not all your fault. The Spurs shot just 40 percent as a team. This no doubt had something to do with the absence of Manu Ginobili, who was forced to sit with a sprained right elbow, but the fact that Antonio MyDyess and Tim Duncan combined for just 19 points didn't help either (that might explain Duncan's face in the above picture).
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On the flip-side, the Grizzlies shot 55.2 percent from the field, a figure that was helped largely by Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who combined to go 19-for-25 for 49 points. Mike Conley also had a strong game, pitching in a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists.
This is just the fourth trip to the playoffs for the Grizzlies, and they had been swept in each of the previous three. Battier was there for all three, and he didn't bother to hide his excitement after the game.
It was awesome. I'm really happy for the city. Beale Street will be a fun place tonight. Most of these guys don't know the history or the heartache that the city has gone through. I'm happy for the city.
Now that the Grizzlies have that elusive first win out of the way, they may as well go for the series. Only the Golden State Warriors have unseated a No. 1 seed in a best-of-seven series, so something tells me the city of Memphis will be even happier if their Grizzlies can pull it off.
The series continues on Wednesday night. Ginobili should be back for the Spurs, so we shall see just how up to the task these Grizzlies are.
Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello
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