Spurs Rout Grizzlies in Series Opener

By Travis Atkinson

1 win down, 15 more to go until the San Antonio Spurs’ complete the “Race for Seis”.

Kawhi Leonard had 20 points (8/13 FG, 3/6 3PT); and the Spurs led for all but 25 seconds of their 106-74 victory over the depletedMemphis Grizzlies Sunday night. Leonard added 3 blocks and 4 steals as anchor of a Spurs defense that absolutely suffocated a Grizzlies team struggling without the services of Mike Conely and Marc Gasol.

San Antonio had a bit of a sloppy start to the game; they opened the first quarter shooting just 4 of 16 from the field, and committed some careless turnovers. This kept the Grizzlies, whose offense was dreadful for much of the night, in the game. After the Grizzlies pulled to within a point late in the first the Spurs responded, closing out the quarter with a 10-2 run that put them up 22-13 at the end of one.

Grizzlies shooting-guard Vince Carter praised Leonard defensive abilities after the game.  “He’s just relentless,” Carter said. “And he really gets their defense started.”

Leonard led an impressive defensive performance by the Spurs Sunday night. San Antonio had many 9 blocks, 13 steals, and held Memphis to 39% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies lone remaining player from their Big 3, Zach Randolph, managed only 6 points (3/13 FG) after facing constant pressure from Leonard and company all night.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich commended his young forward’s defensive skills after the game. “Kawhi’s a very good defender, and he takes great pride in it,” Popovich said. “He sets the tone for us defensively, and tonight was a good example of that.”

Memphis’ offense outside of Carter continued to struggle into the second quarter. Air Canada had 11 of the Grizzly’s first 22 points, and lead Memphis on the night with 16 points (6/7 FG, 2/3 3PT) in 19 minutes. His strong performance early must have inspired the rest of the Grizzlies, because after struggling in the opening quarter Memphis exploded in the second. The Grizzlies sunk 11 of their first 16 shots to open the quarter and managed to trim the Spurs lead down to 2 with 2:45 remaining in the half. But as was the case tonight and with most great teams, the Spurs again responded. They closed out the half by forcing Memphis to miss their last 5 shots, and scored 9 unanswered points to go up 48-37 at halftime.

“I thought our offense really bogged down in the 1st half,” Popovich said. “We didn’t move to the ball, it was a lot of one on one.”

San Antonio blew the game wide open in the 3rd quarter, outscoring Memphis 33-14 to take a commanding 30-point lead in what had been a fairly competitive game until then. The Spurs held Memphis to just 31% shooting in the quarter and forced 7 Grizzly turnovers. Meanwhile San Antonio’s offense finally found its rhythm and caught fire in the third. The Spurs shot 72% in the quarter as seemingly almost every Spur got in on the action.

“It just takes a little while to get going,” Tim Duncan said. “Whatever you want to call it. Playoff jitters. It just took us a quarter or two to get our rhythm going.”

The Spurs bench saw plenty of action in the final quarter of the lopsided affair. Seven Spurs reserves saw double-digit minutes as the benches were emptied. Patty Mills once again lead the Spurs bench with 15 points (4-8 FG) in 19 minutes.

Tony Parker had 15 points (6-10 FG) and 6 assists in only 21 minutes. This will be an important series for Parker. With Connelly injured, it is vital that Parker take advantage of the match up with Grizzlies reserve point guards, Jordan Farmar and . Neither should be able to keep up with Parker for a whole game. Parker will need to use this series to develop a rhythm and establish himself because Russell Westbrookand Stephen Curry will be waiting if the Spurs advance.

Lamarcus Aldridge added 17 points (8-15) and 2 blocks. Leonard, Parker, and Aldridge are set up to be the Big 3 for this title run. Duncan was great on the glass tonight. He had 7 points (3-4 FG) and 11 rebounds, but at this point in his career Duncan doesn’t give the Spurs many points or minutes. The future hall of famer is coming off career lows in points, rebounds, blocks, and minutes so it will be up to one of these other three to step up and lead the Spurs to the title game.

San Antonio will play Memphis Tuesday in San Antonio before traveling to Memphis for games 3 and 4 on April 22 and 24.