Is Spurs-Grizzlies rematch looming?
With 8:31 remaining in game six between the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies, it looked 
like the San Antonio Spurs would be spending Mother’s Day (Sunday) beginning the second round of the playoffs, as the Clippers led the Grizzlies 76-68. The Grizzlies would muster a huge 12-0 run to retake the lead from the Clippers, and inevitably force a game seven on Sunday, as the Grizzlies defeated the Clippers 90-88.
The Grizzlies held the lead through the majority of the game in game six, and during the game a statistic was shown on the screen by ESPN that said the Grizzlies have held the lead in the series overwhelmingly against the Clippers on a per minute basis. I haven’t watched every single one of their six games, but the one’s that I have watched, it makes me wonder why the Grizzlies haven’t beaten the Clippers yet?
The Clippers made that miraculous 27-point comeback in game one to win by one point, then they won game three by one point, and game four by four points. The Grizzlies win in game two was by seven points, while the win in game five was by 12 points. Overall the Grizzlies have outscored the Clippers 568-553 through six games in the series. With Chris Paul and Blake Griffin hobbled by injuries, the Grizzlies look like they have the better team based on what the numbers have shown.
Paul produces the Clippers’ main offensive attack, but when Mike Conley is able to make it a tough night for Paul, the Clippers really have trouble putting points on the scoreboard. The Grizzlies seem like they have a balanced scoring load as they can go to Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Conley, O.J. Mayo, and even Tony Allen. With Memphis hosting game seven at home, and throwing in the mental mistakes the Clippers made in Staples Center down the stretch in game six, it’s hard to see the Clippers coming out of the Fed Ex Forum with a win.
Should the Grizzlies defeat the Clippers on Sunday, the Spurs will have gotten two more days of rest, but they also may receive a worse draw as the Grizzlies found their winning formula on Friday. Then, the Grizzlies went back to running their offense through their two big men, as Randolph (17 shots) and Gasol (16 shots) combined for 41 points. Gay, deferred to just 14 shots for 13 points, and the Grizzlies were a better team because of it.
If the Grizzlies go back to being a halfcourt team that pounds the ball from the inside-out first, they can be very scary, especially with the discipline they can still possess on defense. The Spurs are set to tip off game one of round two on Tuesday evening against the winner on Sunday, I have a feeling they’ll be getting a rematch with the team that ousted them last year, at least the numbers are pointing toward that matchup.
I agree with facing a lackluster Clippers team as a logical idea, but our Spurs haven't played in forever. I think we've already had more rest than required. Now, how does this relate to the opposition of facing the Clips? I would rather face the Griz because, yes, of the "revenge" factor. BUT, here's my idea: it will give our Spurs motivation. We might be rusty, and we need that extra inspiration to give it our all. This is the play offs, and the Clips might pull an upset on us if we get too cocky by saying we'd prefer them because they lack the caliber the Griz have. Revenge will fuel our Spurs. There's no doubt we are letting the Griz escape us another year in a roll. Revenge is motivation.
There is no doubt that we wont allow the Griz to escape us another year in a roll* Sorry for the mistyped sentence.
I think the Clippers are gonna pull through for the win. I do not want the griz. Saw them enough this year as it is. Let's get an easier draw and go to the conference finals and play the thunder.
I'm kinda tired of "it's revenge time". We do not want the griz. I have no doubt we will win the series regardless, but at what cost? We want a depleted clippers team with its beat up team.
@JohnAbney I highly doubt the Clips are making it out of the "Grindhouse." With 2 straight games to close it out, the Clips have flopped (both literally and figuratively). Griffin and more importantly, CP3, are injured. Without CP3 to run the show, the Clippers are nothing but a bunch of 3 point shooters and amazing athletes. He runs the show and not being able to take people off of the dribble destroys the Clippers closeout ability. I expect a blowout in Memphis.
@CraigThomas I don't know about a blowout win. I am with you in believing the griz win BUT the whole "I want the griz so we can get revenge" idea is silly. I mean would we rather get revenge for a bad series or would we rather have the easiest road to the finals possible. Let's stop with the "revenge" and start looking at who is going to provide the easiest path. That is the clippers hands down.
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I would love to see the Griz in the 2nd round. It's revenge time, our guys need to bury the demons and go for the big stage...
