San Antonio dominated this series from start to finish, winning three of the four games by at least 21 points.
Advertisement
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Spurs are favored on the road in Game 4, as they are getting odds of -12.5 points against the Grizzlies. Memphis (0-4) brings to a close a campaign where the Grizzlies fought through an unprecedented number of roster changes and injuries, using NBA-record 28 different players while losing franchise centerpieces Marc Gasol and Mike Conley for the season, to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive time.
The fact that Dave Joerger even got this group to the playoffs – which included 28 players, an National Basketball Association high for any team to quality for the tournament – was impressive. In addition, Memphis was missing rookie Jarell Wright on Sunday, after he injured a foot in Game 3 of the series, as it lost, 116-95, and saw its season end. With 10:02 left in the second quarter, FedExForum experienced a power surge and lights over the court went out.
So if nothing else, the way they disposed of the Memphis Grizzlies in their Western Conference first round series, should be a reminder of just how good they are. It was the second time Conley won the award.
“He was kind of gathering his thoughts, and we had talked with the doctors about just seeing how he felt, trying it out with a little warm-up session”. Coach Dave Joerger stuck with his veterans Zach Randolph and Matt Barnes in Game 3.
Klay Thompson finished with 23 points while Draymond Green added 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
On Saturday, they fared better, only trailing by one or two until the fourth quarter, which they entered in the lead before falling short.
The series win also provided a nice bit of redemption for Aldridge, who was with Portland last season when Memphis ousted the Trail Blazers 4-1 in the first round.
Out of all the first-round series, this is the one that is the most up in the air.
Advertisement
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, center, is fouled on his way to the basket by by Houston Rockets’ Patrick Beverley, left, as Houston’s Trevor Ariza watches during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April 24, 2016, in Houston. The Thunder is projected to win Game 5 and could face the Spurs in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Barnes added four assists in 45 minutes. He broke a tie with Phil Jackson in that category. “An unbelievable honor”, Conley said after being presented with the Joe Dumars Trophy before Sunday’s game.
