NBA Playoffs: 5 ways Grizzlies can upset Spurs

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May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies celebrate after the win against the Golden State Warriors surrounded by TV cameras after in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Golden State Warriors 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

1) History

And the No. 1 reason why the Grizzlies can upset the Spurs in this year’s playoffs? Because they’ve done it before, of course!

In 2011, the No. 8-seeded Grizzlies beat the top-seeded Spurs in six games to win their first-ever playoff series and, in the process, become just the second team to defeat a No. 1 seed in a best-of-seven series. Randolph, Gasol, Conley and Allen were all on that team, as well as Joerger, so they know it can be done.

That Spurs team won 61 games that season, but lost Game 1 at home to the Grizzlies before falling behind 3-1 in the series. Memphis held San Antonio below 90 points in three of the six games.

The Grizzlies have made a habit out of upsetting higher seeds in recent seasons. In 2013 they topped the Los Angeles Clippers (No. 4) and Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1) as a No. 5 seed. Last season they defeated the No. 4-seeded Portland Trail Blazers.

This is a team that knows how to win on the road in the postseason. Whether they have the man power left to pull off an upset is a legitimate question, but if history is any indication, it’s unlikely they’ll go down without a fight.

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