Single Turnover Ends Spurs' Season
The San Antonio Spurs’ season ended with their first turnover of the second half that came with four minutes remaining in the game. The Grizzlies would go on a 10-2 run as a result and from that point the Spurs’ saw their season end as they were eliminated 99 to 91.
The Spurs began the game by spotting the Grizzlies 14 points. Six turnovers and missed shots resulted in the 14-4 Memphis lead with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.
By the end of the first quarter, the Spurs trailed the Grizzlies 24 to 16. The Spurs shot a rough 7-17 from the field in the in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Spurs took care of the ball (only two turnovers) and were able to stay within five points through the remainder of the quarter. Then, with 1:12 remaining in the second quarter Matt Bonner connected on a three pointer that cut the Grizzlies lead to two.
By halftime, the Spurs were still in the ball game as they only trailed 46 to 43. Their defense held Memphis to 22 points in the quarter as their offense poured in 27 points.
The Spurs came out strong as Tim Duncan cut the Grizzlies lead down to one then Ginobili was able to hit a perimeter jumper and tie the game at 48.
Throughout the third quarter, the Spurs would stay within striking distance as Tony Parker helped them stay within two points of the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies went up by seven points late in the third quarter, but Ginobili did something only Ginobili could do, he hit a half court three at the buzzer to cut the Grizzlies lead 70 to 66 entering the final quarter of the Spurs’ season. NOTE: The Spurs did not turn the ball over once in the third quarter.
The Grizzlies held a five-point margin through half of the fourth quarter, then with five minutes remaining in the game Ginobili went on a 4-0 run by himself and cut the Grizzlies lead 79-78.
Then, with 4:39 remaining in the game an Antonio McDyess jumper gave the Spurs their first lead since the first quarter (2-0) as they led 80 to 79.
Turnovers and poor execution were what led this Spurs team to its ultimate demise as they turned the ball over for the first time in the second half with less than four minutes remaining. This single turnover sparked a 10-2 Grizzlies run as the Grizzlies took a commanding 89 to 82 lead.
The Spurs would fall behind by nine points, get within six points but ultimately, that single turnover with two minutes remaining ended their season.
Game Notes
- After the game Spurs forward Antonio McDyess confirmed he will retire. McDyess’ finished his career with 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in his final NBA game.
- Should there be an extended lockout and Tim Duncan retires as well, he finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.
- Zach Randolph closed the series with 31 points and 11 rebounds.
- The Grizzlies will move on to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round tomorrow at noon.
i knew it when i said i was worried about the grizzlies matchup.. oh well. there's still next season. SPURS forever!
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I miss Bowen, too. When we traded him I said, "There goes our dynasty."
It was not "The Big Three" but "The Big Four".
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I still believe that the spurs have one more year to win another ring, but it won't be as easy as it should have been this year. The second place in the west would have been better for the Spurs this year. It was a horrible year to be number one with a team like memphis in the 8th spot. If the Spurs were second, they would have gone at least to the conference finals, no doubts there. New Orleans wouldn't have a chance, and we know how to beat the Mavs in the playoffs... We were unlucky in playing such an energetic and young team in the first round, and I still think that the key to the series was Ginobili's injury, that may have led to the 1st game loss. I hope that Duncan doesn't retire, I still have to watch him play live in the ATT center... GO SPURS GO
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@Super_TS We're just a few moves from making a difference. This team can win you 60 games as is, but we need a team that will win 55 games and have that defensive gritty focus for the playoffs, like the old Spurs teams. We can't solely be an offensive run-n-gun team. Minor changes in the off season should fix that.
@24writer Yes, if we want a ring next year, we really need to improbe our defense. It didn't look good during the season, but with the height mismatch against the grizzlies, it looked even worst. We just couldn't get a stop in late game situations... I hope that we can get a BIG man during the offseason, but I know that Pop will work on deffense on this (too big) offseason. Am I the only one who misses Bowen? :(
Oh, by the way, great job on the article, and it has been a pleasure to follow Project Spurs during this season! GO SPURS GO
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@Super_TS i think the 2 seed as the standings ended up would have been better BUT the griz tanked the last couple of games of the season to get the spurs, seems to me they could have easily gotten the 7 seed to face us anyway. i have said several times the spurs as a 1 seed had the hardest route and i think this is the reason the lakers tanked their 5 game losing streak. they knew the 2 seed would be an easier route.
this season as much as any i strongly feel the nba needs to go to a 16 team format and drop the 8 and 8. this would take teams like the below 500 pacers out and brought in teams like houston. the path would have been different for a lot of teams.
@JohnAbney @Super_TS I feel Houston should have been in there too. I'd love for the "best" teams to be able to play only.
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We lost the series when TP made the RIDICULOUS decision to shoot a stupid 18-footer with a minute left in the fourth quarter of Game 1 (Spurs were up by 4). Clang!
@LegacyDriver That;s the worst part of losing this series. We had the lead once late or we're in striking distance in every game except game 4 (blowout).
