Spurs hold off Grizzlies’ comeback efforts: 3 takeaways from Game 2
The San Antonio Spurs stopped a comeback by the Memphis Grizzlies and went on to win, 96-82.
The Memphis Grizzlies have lost 10 straight in the NBA Playoffs at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. After a valiant effort in Game 2, the Spurs are up two games heading to Memphis in hopes of completing another sweep.
Guiding his team in the first quarter much like Game 1, Mike Conley dueled “playoff Tony Parker” as both guards fueled tempo fighting their way to the rack and creating shots for teammates. An awakened bench led by Zack Randolph competed in Game 2 but San Antonio was just too much to handle for 48 minutes.
Takeaways
Pau Gasol, 3-point specialist?: Pau Gasol is a likely first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate at career’s end. A two-time NBA Champion, Gasol has a lengthy resume of achievements. 3-point specialist was never one of his strong suits, though — until now. Gasol was a perfect 2-for-2 on Saturday in Game 1 from beyond the arc and followed that up with another perfect outing in Game 2, knocking down two in the win.
Staying ahead of the curve and keeping up with today’s NBA, Gasol has expanded his repertoire to lengthen his career. Gasol boasts the No. 1 3-point percentage in the NBA since the All-Star break, shooting a remarkable 53.8 percent from downtown. If Gasol continues to stay hot from 3, he’s a rejuvenated nightmare for the Grizzlies and any team the Spurs will face in the playoffs. His reinvention of himself shows you the type of competitor Gasol has always been and still remains.
Kawhi, 19-for-19, Leonard: Kawhi Leonard is not from this planet. Playing lights out is the best way to describe the play of Leonard in Games 1 and 2. An assumed norm when watching the best two-way player in the NBA. Kawhi dominated the Grizzlies again in Game 2, putting up a playoff career-high 37 points after putting up 32 points in Game 1.
Receiving a balanced amount of help from teammates, Leonard was a pest on defense and did his share of the dirty work by grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with a great night shooting. Staging off a late comeback, Leonard did even more at the free throw line.
Utilizing strength and speed, Leonard worked over Memphis defenders all night. The likely MVP finalist hit on all 19 of his charity-stripe attempts. That’s right, folks — perfect. With all-time performances coming so often from Kawhi, he still can find a way to turn heads, and Memphis really has their hands full.
Memphis is overmatched: Let’s face it, the Memphis Grizzlies cannot take down the San Antonio Spurs. It’s noted they were never favored as an upset, but the Grizzlies can’t last in this series. In all facets of the game, and being without the defense of Tony Allen, Memphis is handcuffed to their own limitations.
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Struggling from the 3-point line, Game 2 was no friendlier than the previous. The Grizzlies went 7-for-27 (25.9 percent) from 3 and a disappointing 37.8 percent from the field. Piled on top of their poor shooting performances, the Grizzlies look fatigued and spent. In Game 2, a team known for being solid on the defensive end allowed five Spurs to finish in double figures.
A game that was closer on the box score was never much of a game outside of a three-minute span in the fourth quarter. Hands full and backs against the wall, the Grizzlies need a bit of a miracle to make this one even respectable.