Grizzlies handle business at home vs Spurs: 3 takeaways from Game 3
The Memphis Grizzlies bounced back after being down two games and beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-94.
The Memphis Grizzlies lost 10 straight to the San Antonio Spurs going back to 2013. After two consecutive sweeps in the first round at the hands of the Spurs, the Grizzlies were able to win Game 3 Thursday at FedExForum.
A new lineup and a fired up head coach in David Fizdale helped Memphis take Game 3 easily against the hot Spurs. After an epic rant, “take that for data,” David Fizdale’s team utilized their blue-collar mentality to grab a game from the No. 2-seeded Spurs.
Takeaways
Stopping Kawhi Leonard: Kawhi Leonard scored 69 points while only taking 28 shots through Games 1 and 2. Although Leonard’s scoring was efficient, the Grizzlies were able to keep him under 30 points Thursday for the first game of the series. Leonard would still shoot 54.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3, going 2-for-4 from beyond the line.
More importantly, the Grizzlies were able to keep a pace that kept Leonard from being active in passing lanes. Unable to get any steals and limited on offense, the Grizzlies controlled Leonard on both ends of the floor. If Memphis wants to tie the series and have a chance to upset San Antonio, more outings against the Spurs go-to-guy can be the make or break that Memphis needs.
You wanna win, put Z-bo in: Zach Randolph was all the difference in the Grizzlies win. Long-time bruiser of the paint and double-double machine, Randolph proved to be the missing link Thursday. Needing a third scorer to shoulder the load with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, Zack Randolph got the start in Thursday’s win and never looked back.
A move to the bench this season by David Fizdale, Randolph was inserted into the starting lineup to replace JaMychal Green and the 17-year veteran did not disappoint. Controlling the paint on defense and offense, Randolph turned back the clock to record 21 points, eight rebounds, and one block.
Randolph handled the paint efficiently and effectively while limiting San Antonio’s dribble penetration all night. An experienced veteran and a known bruiser, David Fizdale struck gold leaning on Randolph in Game 3. With continued confidence, Zack Randolph could be the straw that stirs the drink for Memphis on their way to an upset.
Mike Conley perseveres: Mike Conley is a very talented point guard. He’s soft-spoken and often flies under the radar, but has been an example of consistency during his tenure in Memphis. After being praised by his coach for never receiving a technical foul in nine years, Conley made due on the court Thursday.
Hot in the first quarter, then fizzling out the remainder of Games 1 and 2, Conley had a lot to play for in front of the home crowd. In the Grizzlies’ win, Conley looked more like floor general than a guard trying to carry his team to victory.
Weaving through the Spurs’ defenders for the third game, Conley went on to hit on 7-of-13 from the field to shoot 53.8 percent, racking up 24 points and eight assists. Outside of Conley continuing his efforts on offense, he locked down a spry Tony Parker to zero points after Parker was shooting the 3-point ball at an exceptional clip.
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If Conley continues to perform with the same intensity in Game 4, while improving on the defensive end as he did in Game 3, this Memphis team will steal one more at home and pit themselves in a position to repeat the success from their 2011 matchup . . . we might have a series on our hands after all.
Game 4 will be in Memphis, TN at the FedExForum with tipoff on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET.