Memphis Needs to Bounce Back from Embarrassing Loss to Spurs in Game 1
On Monday, the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs will tip off Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference best of seven first round series from San Antonio. The current line has San Antonio favored by 11 points with the over/under point total on 188.5.
Entering this game, Memphis is 3-7 straight up and 4-6 against the spread in its past 10 games played, while San Antonio is 5-5 SU and 4-5-1 ATS in its past 10 played.
Game 1 of this series was won at home by San Antonio in a rout. The Spurs dominated the Grizzlies on both ends of the court in Game 1. In its 111-82 rout of Memphis, San Antonio gave up 30 points during the first quarter but did not all allow over 19 in any of the last three quarters.
Memphis must find answers to the aggressive play of the Spurs during the last three quarters of Game 1. Memphis forward Zach Randolph said that the Spurs took over after quarter 1 and hit their shots, pressured us defensively and we were not able to respond as a team.
San Antonio was able to get Memphis point guard Mike Conley off his game as the court general for the Grizzlies managed only 13 points. The Spurs forced other Memphis players to handle the ball, which the Grizzlies expected would happen but the team did not respond to the Spurs play.
Memphis was led offensively by center Marc Gasol’s 32 points. Gasol outplayed his brother Pau who scored just six points for San Antonio coming off the bench.
Tony Parker played well at point guard for San Antonio scoring 18 points and stepping up his defense on Conley. The Spurs were led on offense by Kawhi Leonard. The small forward scored 32 points.
In Game 1, Memphis starters Wayne Selden and Vince Carter totaled just 9 points.
Leonard and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge were the only two players for San Antonio with over 30 minutes played in Game 1.
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its past 5 games on the road.
San Antonio is 2-8 ATS in its past 10 games versus teams from the Southwest conference.
Prediction: San Antonio thoroughly dominated the Grizzlies in Game 1. The Spurs will have their way in Game 2, but not to that extent and Memphis will make it closer. Lean hear toward the Grizzlies and the points.
