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NBA Offseason's Most Underrated Moves ๐Ÿคซ
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 15: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of Round One during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 15: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of Round One during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)Mark Sobhani/Getty Images

Spurs Cruise to Blowout Game 1 Win over Grizzlies; Kawhi Leonard Scores 32

Adam Wells
Apr 15, 2017

The San Antonio Spurs stormed back from an early deficit to earn an easy 111-82ย victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series Saturday.

Kawhi Leonard was the star for San Antonio, finishing with 32 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals.

The visiting Grizzlies asserted their will when the game started, jumping out to a 24-11 lead eight minutes into the first quarter. That would be as good as things got for Memphis because the Spurs defense gave up justย 58ย points over the next 40 minutes.ย 

Leonard, Aldridge Ignite Spurs

Following the Spurs' slow start, Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge ignited the offense. San Antonio's All-Star duo combined forย 52ย of the team's 111ย points.ย 

Aldridge's scoring output was huge for the Spurs. The 31-year-old only averaged 17.3 points per game during the regular seasonโ€”his lowest mark since he was a rookie with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2006-07โ€”and hadn't hit the 20-point mark since a March 23 contest against the Grizzlies.

Following the offensive outburst for Leonard and Aldridge, the internet shared its thoughts on what they accomplished:

Gasol on an Island

One reason the Spurs found themselves in such a big hole early was they had no answer for Marc Gasol. That trend continued throughout the game. Memphis' star center was the only one who could figure out San Antonio's defense, as he had 32ย points.ย 

The Grizzlies kept the game close heading into halftime because Gasol scored more (25) than half of their 49 points. The NBA relayed some of Gasol's stellar play from the half:ย 

Not surprisingly, the rest of the Grizzlies roster received their share of criticism on Twitter for being unable to support Gasol's stellar effort:

San Antonio's depth advantage over the Grizzlies was apparent after those first four minutes. The Spurs had no problems scoring on Memphis' defense and shutting down anyone who was not named Gasol.ย 

There's still time for the Grizzlies to right the ship, but this was not an ideal way to start a series against the Spurs heading into Game 2 on Monday.

NBA Offseason's Most Underrated Moves ๐Ÿคซ