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The Memphis Grizzlies look to be playing their final game of the NBA season, down three games to nothing against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Playoffs. Join The Roar for live scores from 3am (AEST).
It has been a tough series for the Grizzlies, and they are right up against it requiring a turn around of almost epic proportions if they are to extend this series to five games and go back out on the road.
While home court advantage did seem to spark something out of the Grizzlies, it was still a nine-point loss in Game 3. After being blown out by 32 and 26 points in Games 1 and 2 respectively, it was an improved performance, but not improved enough.
It follows what was a tough season for the Grizzlies, where they were absolutely ravaged with injuries. Somehow, they were in the reckoning for a home advantage in the first round playoffs, but that disappeared as they lost 10 of their last 11 matches.
So far in this series, the Spurs have just dominated them in every way possible. It has been a simple game plan from the team who finished the season with the second best record in the NBA. To defend like crazy, which hasn’t been difficult with a lack of creativity and execution from Memphis, and then to use that defence and find good shots.
Following this formula, particularly during the first two games the Spurs were actually able to rest their stars, most of their starting 5 only playing a tick over 20 minutes in each of those games.
In the last game, it was a fourth quarter fall away from the Grizzlies that cost them. They held the lead by a point at three quarter time in fact and having dominated the boards, they were looking solid but a calamity of turnovers and a failing shooting percentage saw the Spurs come back.
Credit where its due to San Antonio – they defended like their lives depended on it during that final quarter, restricting the Grizzlies to just 16 points – but Memphis made it easy for them.
If the Grizzlies are to force this series into a fifth game, then it will again have to be Zach Randolph doing the damage. He scored 20 in the third game, and neutralised the impact of Tim Duncan. Kawhi Leonard will also be keen to follow up his exploits after he scored 32.
Prediction
San Antonio have looked the goods all series and it is pretty difficult to see that changing in Game 4.
Spurs by 24.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 3am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the action unfolds.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde