My Team - Game 1, Grizzlies at San Antonio

Schedule (all games Central Daylight Time)

Game 1 - Sun, 19 May @ San Antonio 2:30 PM Game 2 - Tue, 21 May @ San Antonio 8:00 PM Game 3 - Sat, 25 May @ Memphis 8:00 PM Game 4 – Mon, 27 May @ Memphis 8:00 PM
Game 5 - Wed, May 29 @ San Antonio 8:00 PM (if required) Game 6 - Fri, May 31 @ Memphis 8:00 PM (if required) Game 7 - Sun, June 2 @ San Antonio 8:00 PM (if required)

I am giddy. I'll admit it. My favorite NBA team, in the national spotlight. One series away from playing for the league championship. I would not have guessed this back in November. For the handful of y'all who read here, I didn't think it was a lead-pipe cinch in March. Since we're here, we might as well enjoy the view.

I think the Grizz can win in seven games, even with San Antonio has everyone healthy and playing to their normal levels.

Looking at match-ups, I see it this way:

Gasol-Duncan: This one will be fun for people who like guys who play with their brains as well as brawn. Watch for throwback, '70s-style post play, There won't be a lot of mean-mugging or hanging on the rim. That's alright, though.

Randolph-Splitter: Memphis will attack Splitter often, trying to get him in early foul trouble. Splitter will hit a mid-range shot once in a while & work the offensive boards. He's good enough to give Randolph fits.

Prince-Leonard: Prince must get his shooting confidence back, ASAP. Leonard is the Spurs third-leading scorer & second-leading rebounder in the playoffs. He's playing with great confidence and production. Both are solid defenders. Prince has more point-forward responsibilities in his team's offense.

Allen-Green: Allen has to be a bit smarter with the ball in his hands. He'll have a strength advantage over Green, but if he's out of control on offense it doesn't matter. Green is a good 3-point shooter and a great complement to this team. Green can win this match-up as long as he doesn't try to match Allen's frenetic work rate.

Conley-Parker: Conley has faced great challenges throughout this playoff run, and has held his own. He's earning league-wide respect as he matched up with Chris Paul and Reggie Jackson. Parker is one of the best players in the league, and maybe the only guy who's a hair quicker than Conley. Conley has huge responsibilities on both ends. Can he play Parker to a draw? If Parker dominates Conley, the Spurs win.

Bayless-Ginobili: Bayless is strong enough and quick enough to keep up with Ginobili. Ginobili might be the smartest player in the league. If Bayless is sloppy, Ginobili will take advantage. Ginobili is great working without the ball, so if Bayless turns his head for an instant, the ball's in the basket.

Arthur-Bonner: Bonner is a big who likes to run the floor & shoot threes. Can Arthur extend his perimeter defense and still get back to the rim to help rebound?

Pondexter-Neal: This may not be a pure match-up (dependent on when each guy comes off the bench). Both guys look for their offense when in the game. Neal is a competent point guard who spells Parker from time to time, or plays alongside Parker. Which guy in this match-up is gonna be more consistent shooting the ball?

The Spurs have guys like post players Boris Diaw and DeJuan Blair, and point guard Cory Joseph available. They know their roles, and if they're not productive in their minutes, they won't stay on the floor for long stretches.

The Grizzlies have guard Keyon Dooling, and forwards Ed Davis and Austin Daye who might get playing time in a pinch. I don't look for a lot of scoring from any of those guys unless it's the result of a teammate injury.

Hollins-Popovich: Fans are starting to notice Hollins is a good coach, a patient hand when things get stressful. Popovich is one of the best coaches in league history. Popovich will put his guys in position to neutralize Gasol and Conley. The Grizz will have to execute despite playing a team who knows Memphis well.

My Game 1 guess, San Antonio 96, Memphis 90. Memphis will play well on the road, but Spurs' late-game execution will make the difference. Parker's play in the fourth quarter will lift San Antonio.

After the Game: San Antonio 105, Memphis 83. Yeesh. The Grizz got worked, as in "beat about the head and shoulders". If it's any consolation, Memphis did lose Game 1 of each of the last two series. However, this one opened a lot of eyes, and not in a good way.

For Memphis, it was 32 field goals, 20/12 assist/turnover and 6 steals. Pondexter came off the bench to score 17, Gasol added 15 and 7 rebs. Conley added 14 and 8 assists, but 4 turnovers. Randolph was 1/8 FG/A. Coach Hollins played every active player, so there's that.

For San Antonio, it was 40 field goals, 28/11 assist/turnover, and 5 steals. Parker had 20 with 9 assists. Leonard had 18, while Green added 16.

If you're gonna fall behind 31-14 at the end of the first quarter, on the road to a good team, how else should you expect the game to end? My team got smoked, maybe because they had a bit of collective "wow, we made it this far". Game 2 has to be different. I expect it to be different. These teams are fairly evenly matched (Sunday's result notwithstanding). Best to forget Game 1, wipe the slate clean, and go after Game 2.