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It appears that the San Antonio Spurs are headed to the NBA Finals with a commanding 2-0 lead over the Memphis Grizzlies. Very few teams in the history of the NBA have come from behind to win a series after being down two games to zero. The Grizzlies would have to win both games at home including a game on the road in San Antonio to at least make this a competitive series.
On a positive note the Grizzlies have found a way to minimize the Spurs 3-point shooting but if Zack Randolph and Marc Gasol continue to struggle offensively, this will be a tough series for the Grizzlies to win. Mike Conley and Toni Parker are the clear floor leaders for their respective teams, while Parker has a slight edge thus far on the offensive end of the floor.
The Spurs display the qualities of a more complete team while the Grizzlies continue to search for an answer to their offensive woes. The bench hasn’t provided enough supplemental scoring but on a positive note, the Grizzlies defense has been the most significant plus for the team. The good news is finally the battle between the Spurs and the Grizzlies is looking more like a playoff series and less like a regular season contest. I think the Spurs are better equipped to advance to the finals however i’m not ready to count the Grizzlies out of the fight. The Grizzlies have fought from behind to win a playoff series before but the Spurs don’t appear to be a team that will allow any breathing room.
Prediction: Spurs will win the series 4-3
If I had to make an early prediction I would pick the Spurs to take the series 4-3. The Spurs have to many scoring options and outside shooters while the Memphis Grizzlies are more of an inside team. Zack Randolph has to find his rhythm or this series will be over sooner than expected.
Update: 5/26/2013
The Spurs have defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on the road to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Is it safe to say this series is over? I’d say yes, Memphis continues to struggle on the offensive end of the court because they lack a bonafide scorer, the trade of Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo has really come back to haunt the Memphis Grizzlies. Tim Duncan continues to prove why he is one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the NBA. The Grizzlies choose not to double team Tony Parker in the second half, a choice that didn’t work out in their favor. I definitively saw the a look of a championship caliber team in the Spurs and the team appears to be headed for a sweep en-route to an NBA finals appearance. Stay tuned for the NBA finals preview. This series is over!

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