2016 Playoffs: Spurs 94 - Grizzlies 68

So the San Antonio Spurs put on an impressive win, while also angering me in the processes.  This is the kinda game that upsets casual fans of basketball who just tune into the Playoffs.

  • No starter for the Spurs played more than 27 minutes.  
  • The leading scorer for the Spurs had 16 points and came off the bench.
  • Spurs dropped 94 points on 66 shots.

If you followed the Spurs all season, this game kinda felt like the game they play when they're out on extended road trips where they're playing their playing their 3rd game in 5 nights.

As a Bulls fan...  I can't help but look at the Spurs and be filled with Jealousy.  They continue to masterfully manage player minutes and they will likely play an OKC team that is on the verge of imploding.

The Spurs haven't been consistently tested by an opposing team and they likely won't until they see Warriors in the Western Conference Finals...   but I think there's something to be said about this team not knowing what to do when they have to get into clutch-time-basketball.

Perhaps a referendum will be needed on the Spurs possibly having the most rested team to not advance to the NBA Finals. 

 

2016 Playoffs: Spurs 106 - Memphis 74

2016 NBA Playoffs tipped-off over the weekend and the San Antonio Spurs confirmed what many of us already knew about the Western Conference after 82 regular season games.   The top 4 teams of the West should easily advance to the second round and that's where every team will likely face their first genuine tests over 6 or 7 game series.

The Memphis Grizzlies are simply not healthy enough to take on the Spurs...  in addition to the teams getting plenty of rest between games.  The Spurs have effectively showcased how they can manage player minutes and not really have to worry about how the starters when they're asked to show up for big games.

After seeing nearly all of their games this season, its all about how well their top 8 players perform or chip in when needed.  I'm really curious to see what the Spurs may try to do with offensive output from their back court.   Parker had a lot of contested drives to the basket and I believe he will be a liability as they get deeper into the playoffs.  Danny Green on the other hand only took one shot last night and he thankfully made it.  His struggles from the field have been well documented this season - but he needs to log more minutes in some of these blowouts to figure out his offensive contributions.

Top 3 Ballerz of the Night

  1. Kawhi logged 29 'active' minutes - pulling 20 points, 50% from behind the arc (3 of 6) and 4 steals.  Some of his early steals in the first half set the tone for the game and probably the series.
  2. LaMarcus pulled down 17 points as he continues to play though what I believe is a broken hand.
  3. Parker had an above average night tonight...  he's someone to keep an eye on tho'.  A lot of his drives to the basket were contested early.  The Spurs are shaky at gaurd.

Game 20: Spurs 103 - Grizzlies 83

Spurs had an amazing back to back night performance against the Grizzlies in Memphis...  What I'll remember most about this game is 1.) The Memphis home uniforms that I didn't quite understand.  2.) I watched most of the game on my iPhone while playing dungeons and dragons...

I neglected to write up a just after the game but recall Kahwi going 7 of 9 from three point land to lead all players on the Spurs and Grizz.  I believe he leads the league in 3pt percentage.

Game 13: Spurs 92 - Grizzlies 82

Caught a good part of tonights game on the iPad tonight...  There was a number of football games going on tonight that I was a little more interested in, so my attention was split during the first half of the game.

Top Ballerz of the Night

  1. Kawhi - 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals...  he could have had 5 or 6 but lost the handle on one or two during the game.
  2. Tony Parker - 18 points in 32 minutes
  3. Tim Duncan - 10 points/10 rebounds in 36 minutes...  hit some key floaters to close the game.

Game 13 Observations

Just noticed that Duncan and Kawhi put in over 36 minutes apiece tonight to win a game I think they really wanted to not lose tonight.  I have a strange feeling about the game on Monday against the Suns, who I think have a back court that is going to give them a little trouble.  There was a little drop off with LaMarcus out of the lineup tonight.