Grizzlies at Spurs
THE STORY: After holding off a pair of teams for the best record in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs open the NBA playoffs against the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. San Antonio took it easy in the second half of the season, giving all of their key players some much-needed rest down the stretch. The Grizzlies weren't afforded the same luxury, having to scrap for the final playoff spot until the final week of the season.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, TNT, FSSW
ABOUT THE SPURS: San Antonio's big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have accumulated more games over the past decade than just about any other NBA player. While Parker's minutes didn't decline after the All-Star break, Duncan and Ginobili both saw their playing time reduced in order to keep them fresh for the postseason. The hope is that fresh legs will allow San Antonio to maintain a blistering scoring pace set that saw the Spurs finish sixth in the league at 103.7 points per game. Ginobili is doubtful for the opener with an elbow injury, but is expected to return at some point during the series. The team defense took a slight step back following years of dominance, but is still capable of suffocation opposing offenses.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Memphis is still looking for its first playoff win in franchise history, but comes in optimistic about its chances after splitting four meetings with the Spurs during the season. The Grizzlies even increased their chances of facing San Antonio by giving several players rest during the final few games, when moving up in the standings was still a possibility. Memphis is led by outstanding power forward Zach Randolph, who averaged 20.1 points and 12.1 rebounds to lead the team. The Grizzlies would be better equipped to face the best team in the West with a healthy Rudy Gay, but he'll miss the rest of the year with a partially separated shoulder. His injury put more pressure on the rest of the team to share the scoring burden, and it did so.
WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Duncan enjoyed a strong April despite playing reduced minutes, averaging 14.5 points on 57.6-percent shooting. Randolph saw his rebounding dip significantly after the All-Star break but shot nearly seven percent better from the field.
KEY STATISTIC: 39.7 - The Spurs' 3-point shooting percentage, tops in the NBA. That could spell trouble for the Grizzlies, who allowed the fourth-most 3-pointers in the league.
SEASON SERIES: Both teams won twice on their home court. The Grizzlies won the last two encounters, including a 111-104 victory in their previous meeting March 27.
LAST WORD: "We would be a better team if he was available for the playoffs." - Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, stating the obvious about the absence of Gay