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The San Antonio Spurs will be aiming for a series sweep against a Memphis Grizzlies outfit who have struggled with injuries all season long, but managed to hang onto a playoff spot. Join The Roar for live scores from 10am (AEST).
The Spurs finished second in the Western Conference. In any other season they would have been the headline act and centre of attention, but with the Warriors breaking the record for the best ever season, the Spurs have gone under the radar.
They themselves had a fantastic season finishing 67 wins and 15 losses, as well as two straight wins to end the season.
At home, they only lost one match all season and that is just one of a multitude of problems for Memphis, and every other team the Spurs come up against during the playoffs.
Meanwhile for the Grizzlies they have lost four games straight and 10 of their last 11 matches. It has seen them drop all the way to the seventh seed in the east, with pressure building big time all the way.
They were battling for a home first round final at one point, but the losing streak has seen them fall away from the Los Angeles Clippers, and drop behind fast-finishing Portland and Dallas.
When these sides have met throughout the season, it has been all one-way traffic. The Spurs have been on a different level to the hapless Grizzlies, winning the four matches by 10, 20, 6 and 14 points respectively.
The biggest problem the Grizzlies will have to overcome is a Tim Duncan-led defence. He is the ultimate communicator out on the floor, and with an offence that scores more than enough points if the Grizzlies can’t find a way around it then things could get very ugly.
The other problem will be controlling Kawhi Leonard on the offensive end. He has been an absolute weapon all season, averaging over 23 points, and being close on unstoppable. Joined by LaMarcus Aldridge on the floor, they create an attack that is one of the best in the game.
Memphis may find their only and best answer in Zach Randolph. He has plenty of size about him, and has to try and not only keep offensive production up, but control the paint on defence. Watch for the Spurs to try and get him into foul trouble.
Prediction
It’s just about impossible to see the Spurs losing this one. They are strong on both ends of the court, have been able to rest players and should dismantle a Grizzlies outfit who have been in poor form, putting it nicely.
Spurs by 19.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 10am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the action unfolds.
Follow Scott on Twttier @sk_pryde