Tonight, the Grizzlies return to San Antonio and try to close out the opening round in 5 games. A victory would most likely set up a second-round match-up with Oklahoma City, a series which would begin in OKC early next week.
Because the game starts in 3 and a half hours, we will be short today.
Things to watch:
1) How will Memphis’ role players perform?
Obviously, role players were a huge factor in the Grizzlies’ game 4 victory. Darrell Arthur and OJ Mayo combined for 25 points, and Shane Battier made a 3 pointer which all but killed the Spurs’ will. What is more, the defensive energy from the bench was as high as it has been all season. Players were getting back, in position, and playing D with their bodies and not their hands. The defense was solid, not showy. The steals always come if you play the right way.
It is a well-known fact that role players in the NBA play much better at home. And if you look at the stats from this series, it is no different for the Grizz. Bottom line: Darrell Arthur is not going to make 5 mid-range jumpers tonight, and Mayo may need 10 shots to score 10-12 points. For the Spurs, Bonner, Neal, Hill, and Jefferson will all be factors once again. The key is for the Memphis bench to continue to provide energy and play solid defense. Take care of the things you can take care of.
2) Will Memphis go for the jugular?
The Spurs are in a 3-1 hole, and are now the “underdogs” (whatever that means). It will be interesting to see which team comes out more aggressively. While Memphis finds themselves in a good spot, their situation could turn south quickly with a loss tonight and a loss Friday. Knowing as much, will Hollins really turn the team loose, and try and finish the Spurs in the first half tonight? Memphis is a young team (or are they?), and young teams usually have trouble closing out quarters / halves / games. They also have trouble closing out series. We will learn a lot about the Grizzlies’ killer instinct tonight.
I firmly believe that if the Grizzlies go into the locker room with a 10 point halftime lead, Randolph and Co. will smell blood. Plain and simple, Memphis cannot start the game like they did in the first half of Game 4. If they do, I’ll see you in Memphis Friday night. If they come out like they did in the second half on Monday night, we can start MapQuesting Memphis to OKC.
3) Will a Spurs superstar finally break out?
In the early going Monday night, it looked like Tony Parker could post 40 points. He had 19 in the first half, and was getting to the basket at will. But Memphis bottled up the lane in the third and fourth quarters, and Parker hardly scored in the second half. What I’m getting at is, none of the Spurs’ big three (Ginobli, Parker Duncan) have had one of those “playoff” moments thus far. Parker hasn’t gone for 30 and 12, Ginobli hasn’t gone 14-20 from the field, Duncan hasn’t dominated the paint for four quarters. I have a bad feeling that one of the above could happen tonight. That one of the above players will say, “Okay, enough” and proceed to single-handedly extend the series.
If they do, there’s only one thing the Grizzlies can do… Individually, do their job, and collectively, play their game.
Grizz with me,
Jordan
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