Blown out by the Spurs in the first two games in San Antonio, the Grizzlies carried a one-point lead into the fourth quarter of game three and lost by nine points.
Advertisement
Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Joerger, left, questions official Derrick Stafford, right, about a call during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, Friday, A.
Memphis outrebounded the Spurs, 48-39, but shot only 41.5 percent.
The Grizzlies chose to use their small-ball starting lineup again after the success it brought them in game 3.
Rest not necessarily good: While San Antonio receives an opportunity to rest some of its players as it preps for the next round, that’s not necessarily what the Spurs want as they look to catch a groove. “They played with a lot of heart and a lot of fortitude”.
The Spurs now are a win away from their ninth postseason series sweep and third against Memphis. San Antonio hasn’t swept a first-round series since ousting the Lakers in 2013, and the Spurs’ last sweep came against these Grizzlies in the 2013 Western Conference finals.
The game was delayed early in the 2nd quarter for 18 minutes due to a power outage at FedExForum. San Antonio led by only two points with 4:38 to go, but finished strong behind Kawhi Leonard for a 96-87 victory at FedExForum. LaMarcus Aldridge added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs. Zach Randolph is averaging 12.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while Lance Stephenson is averaging 8.7 points and 1.3 assists.
LeBron James collected 20 points and 13 rebounds as the Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 101-91 to take a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
MEMPHIS – In an attempt to make competitive an otherwise lopsided playoff series, the Grizzlies arrived as advertised for Game 3.
“We all know what the numbers are”, said coach Joerger pertaining with the 3-0 deficit, “but don’t let it be easy for them”.
“When I’m out there with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, I say it every time, that I’m so much more comfortable out there because they do an unbelievable job”, Kanter said. No coach has registered more during the shot-block era, which began during the 1954-55 season. The Grizzlies played physically, attacked the basket on offense, scrambled to cut off lanes on defense and just all-around hustled.
But the real story of this game was how tough Memphis played.
Advertisement
The Grizzlies led in the fourth quarter of this one, but Kawhi steadied the Spurs and he dropped 10 in the quarter. Both teams stayed loose by shooting until play resumed.
