Spurs Host Grizzlies in Important Game 5 of First Round Series
The Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs will tip off Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference first round best of seven series Tuesday from AT&T Center in San Antonio with the series tied 2-2.
The current line has San Antonio favored by 10 points with the over/under point total on 186.5. Both teams have held serve at home with San Antonio winning two on its home court to open the series and Memphis winning two at home to even the series.
Game 4 was decided in overtime as the Grizzlies won 110-108. However, the star of that game was on the losing end. The Spurs’ star forward Kawhi Leonard scored the final 16 points for his team in regulation to force overtime.
However, Memphis center Marc Gasol scored in the final second to beat San Antonio. LaMarcus Aldridge played strong defense against Gasol, but the big man from Spain was not to be stopped and sank the winner for his team.
Memphis was led on the night by the play of its point guard Mike Conley, who scored 35 points to set a record for the franchise for postseason scoring. In the series, Conley is averaging 24 points along with 7.7 assists per game.
Leonard scored 43 points, his career high for the playoffs, in a losing effort for the Spurs. The Spurs top player hit 7 of his 10 shots from 3-point territory. In addition he grabbed 8 rebounds and had 6 steals.
However, the remaining Spurs players could only manage to connect on 2 of their combined 20 shots from 3-point territory.
Grizzlies veteran shooting guard Vince Carter was 3 for 5 beyond the three-point arc and became the first NBA player 40 years or older to make 3 shots from 3-point land in a postseason game.
Leonard has made each of his 40 free throw attempts during the series.
The two teams combined to make 39 of the 41 free throws taken in Game 4.
Memphis is 1-5 ATS in its past 6 games played on the road.
San Antonio is 3-10 ATS in its past 13 games versus teams from the Southwest division.
Prediction: Home court is the rule here. The Spurs lost a big opportunity to steal a game in Game 4 and will not let Game 5 get away. Lean toward San Antonio less the 10 points.
