NBA Playoffs 2013: Updated Predictions for Western Conference Finals
The San Antonio Spurs have a commanding 2-0 lead on the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals, but don’t write off the Griz before they make what could be a valiant last stand at home.
With four days of rest between Tuesday’s Game 2 overtime loss and the tip for Game 3, there’s plenty of time for Memphis to recharge its batteries and prepare to tie the series up.
However, coach Gregg Popovich is going to have his Spurs mentally prepared to make this road trip, as Tim Duncan and the rest of the key players will try to push back into the Finals for the first time since winning it all back in 2007.
Anything is currently in play, but we’re here to try and sort through the clutter and make some sensible predictions for how the rest of the series will play out. Let’s take a look at what to expect over the remainder of this thrilling series.
Griz Make Things Interesting at FedExForum
After narrowly losing Game 1 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semis, Memphis surged back and found a rhythm to win four straight games.
They could use the same recipe to succeed in this series, although you have to throw Game 1’s result—a 105-83 San Antonio victory that looks like an absolute anomaly—out the window.
Game 2 of the WCF saw the Spurs edge the Griz in overtime, although it truly could have went either way. Memphis mounted a late run and had a chance to win it on multiple occasions, but couldn’t get the shots to drop.
The players full well know that and will use it as motivation to come out and play hard in front of the hometown fans. This team is undefeated in Tennessee throughout the postseason, going 5-0 in that span.
That should be up to 7-0 shortly, as the Griz will pull it together and win back-to-back contests to even it up.
One Controversial Call Swings a Game
This nearly happened on Tuesday night, as Tony Allen perfectly played the part of a man on the receiving end of a flagrant foul after getting shoved by Manu Ginobili.
He might get nominated for an Oscar due to this performance, as replays clearly showed the swingman didn’t land on his head and Ginobili simply yanked him to stop an easy layup—a basic playoff foul.
Regardless, the refs gave Allen two shots at the line and the Griz retained the ball after he sunk them. Mike Conley wound up scoring immediately after and the game went to overtime.
Had Memphis managed to pull off the victory, it would have been a much bigger deal and one of the more debatable calls of this postseason. The refs were fortunate to avoid that situation, but may not be so lucky in the future.
If they weren’t able to see Allen’s clear flop—especially with the pro-Spurs crowd attempting to influence the decision towards that—there could very well be a nightmare scenario looming.
Both sides play hard defense and aren’t afraid to knock someone around, so don’t be surprised when a rough foul gets turned into a flagrant and ends up being the difference on the scoreboard.
Spurs Ultimately Prevail in Six
Despite the Grizzlies' incredible efforts this spring, they will fall just short in this series.
The team just doesn’t have the same veteran leadership, three-point shooting ability or go-to stars that the Spurs have come to rely on during their playoff runs over the past decade or so.
This inexperience will be invaluable for Memphis, but the squad is still one superstar away from actually contending for the West title.
Whether it can acquire this piece via draft, trade or free agency remains to be seen, but it will become apparent the No. 1 priority for the Grizzlies in the offseason.
Expect a knockdown, drag-out affair over these next four showdowns, but the Spurs will get the last word when they take care of business at home in Game 5 and finally vanquish Memphis on the road in Game 6.
