Spurs pound Grizzlies: 3 takeaways from Game 1 blowout
The San Antonio Spurs faced trouble early against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday, went on to win 111-82.
Much like their 2016 NBA Playoffs first round matchup, Grizzlies continue to be light years behind their big brothers in the Western Conference. San Antonio sputtered out the gate in the first quarter of Game 1 allowing Memphis to gain confidence and control pace with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.
After being without Gasol and Conley in the first round a year ago, an energetic first quarter proved that two is better than none. Conley would contribute 10 points shooting, 4-of-4 from the field dicing his way through a Spurs defense caught on their heels, with Gasol working over his slower counterparts utilizing range from 3-point land.
Things changed quickly though, as San Antonio regrouped in the second quarter with Tony Parker and LaMarcus Aldridge being key factors. With Parker weaving through traffic and looking like “playoff Tony,” Aldridge was able to gain space for quick shots and work downhill in the pick-and-roll offense. The old saying that “slow and steady wins the race” could not have been truer in this game.
Takeaways
Memphis needs Tony Allen healthy. Kawhi Leonard had his way in Game 1 and that is 100 percent due to the fact that Memphis was without their defensive specialist Tony Allen. Leonard proceeded to dominate whoever Memphis sent his way, going 11-for-14 with 32 points and 5 assists on the night, and he sat out much of the fourth quarter. Allen is out with a calf strain and in a matchup against one of the five best players in the league (arguably the best), the Grizzlies need him now more than ever.
Able to call-out switch assignments and guard virtually anyone on the floor, Allen brings a junkyard dog mentality on the defensive end. A team that is known for a certain level of grit-and-grind on both ends of the court, San Antonio had their way from the second quarter on. Up 30-25 at the end of the first, San Antonio outscored the Grizzlies 86-52 the rest of the way.
Without an alpha on defense, the Grizzlies look to be in serious trouble against this talented Spurs roster. Swept in 2016 without their two superstars, Conley and Gasol, the Spurs will wreak havoc once again if Allen is unable to return or nobody is able to fill his role. Defense is more effort than talent and Memphis showed little of either outside of the opening 12 minutes.
Marc Gasol has arrived. Living in his big brother Pau’s shadow early on in his career, Marc Gasol is now a force in this league. Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, Gasol continues to elevate his game. As the only other player besides Mike Conley with a pulse in Game 1, Gasol created mismatches throughout this contest.
Shooting a higher percentage outside the arc now than in recent years, Gasol put up perfect numbers from 3-point range going 3-for-3. A nightmare in the pick-and-roll, utilizing his soft touch and mid-range slip skills, Gasol worked over Dewayne Dedmon, LaMarcus Aldridge, and big brother Pau Gasol Saturday.
Gasol was the key performer in the first half, scoring 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field. In the second half, an adjustment from San Antonio held him to just seven points the rest of the game. But with Gasol playing lights-out, there is faint hope for head coach David Fizdale and his team.
Going forward, balanced output from Vince Carter and JaMychal Green could prove to be a catalyst for the Grizzlies to pull off a shocker, assuming with continued efforts like this from Gasol.
Kawhi is not alone. Overlooked behind the supreme play from Kawhi Leonard, is the fact that the San Antonio Spurs have a really deep roster. What Leonard accomplishes each night can sometimes overshadow the vast amount of talent Head Coach Greg Popovich has at his disposal.
Tony Parker turned back the clock to the glory days, playing in his first playoff matchup without longtime Spur Tim Duncan by his side. Parker kickstarted the offense in the first half before Leonard took over, pouring in 18 points and shooting 8-for-13 for the night. Parker, the elder statesman, manipulated the Grizzlies defense with his signature floaters, while also going a perfect 2-for-2 beyond the e-point line.
LaMarcus Aldridge needed a big opening playoff game for the Spurs, Saturday. He looked out of sync finding his place in the offense early on, but calmed down to account for 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting.
Besides Parker and Aldridge, a collective effort was on display inside the AT&T Center. The Spurs shot 10-for-19 on 3-pointers, a remarkable 52.6 percent. Pau Gasol (2-for-2) and Patty Mills (3-for-3) had their hand in the 3-point cookie jar as well, as the No.1 team in 3-point percentage during the regular season, the Spurs can make it ugly in a hurry.
Next: 3 takeaways: Bucks upset Raptors
Game 2 is set for Monday, April 17 inside the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Tipoff will be at 9:30 ET broadcasting on TNT and FSSW.