Check out this back and forth in the final minutes of the Grizzlies 101-98 win over the Spurs.
2:27 MEM – Marc Gasol missed two free throws (Grizzlies lead by 4)
2:09 SAS – Matt Bonner made three-pointer (Grizzlies lead by 1)
1:47 MEM – Tony Allen missed two free throws
1:28 SAS – Matt Bonner made three-pointer (Spurs lead by 2)
1:07 MEM – Mike Conley turnover
1:06 SAS – George Hill made two free throws (Spurs lead by 4)
0:56 MEM – Marc Gasol made layup (Spurs lead by 2)
0:31 SAS – Tony Parker missed 16-foot jumper
0:23 MEM – Shane Battier made three-pointer (Grizzlies lead by 1)
0:10 SAS – George Hill missed three-pointer
0:10 MEM – Tony Allen made two free throws (Grizzlies lead by 3)
0:01 SAS – Richard Jefferson missed three-pointer
What’s the point? The wheels almost came off for the Grizzlies after four straight missed free throws and the Conley turnover, but Memphis showed some resiliency and fought back to retake the lead. Typically, if you give the Spurs a four point lead with 1:06 to play, they’re going to close out the win 90% of the time (I’m guessing), so the fact that the Grizzlies fought back to win their first ever postseason game is quite impressive.
San Antonio better get its act together. Without Manu Ginobili, they just aren’t the same team and they need to gut out a win or two to keep themselves afloat until he can get back. The Grizzlies are a very dangerous 8-seed in this situation.
