Spurs Win Pivotal Game 5 vs Grizzlies
By Tony Webb
After a huge Game 5 victory, the San Antonio Spurs place the Memphis Grizzlies on the brink of elimination
In a series that wasn’t figured to be tied heading into Game 5, the San Antonio Spurs did what they had to do to take control of the series. The Spurs are now one game away from a matchup with the Houston Rockets in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.
In the pivotal Game 5, Kawhi Leonard (28 points, 6 assists) was big as usual but the Spurs used a well-balanced attack to overwhelm the Grizzlies.
Manu and the Bench
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Manu Ginobili looked like Manu from 10 years ago. His Euro-step drives to the basket and a couple nice jumpers gave the Spurs much-needed momentum in the second quarter. He finished with 10 points and three assists on the night.
Patty Mills provided 20 points off the bench, connecting on five shots from downtown. Pau Gasol (9 points, 2 assists) and Davis Bertans (3 points, 3 rebounds) didn’t have gaudy numbers put they’re always reliable when Kawhi and LA need a breather.
San Antonio’s bench outscored Memphis’ 46-30.
Kawhi Leonard is Very Very Good
It wasn’t a dominating performance for the ages, but Kawhi Leonard was nearly perfect in Game 5. Leonard knocked down shots, played his normal hard-nosed defense and was the Grizzlies’ primary focus. Leonard makes everyone around him that much better. The attention he gets from opponents allows his teammates to get open and the Spurs took full advantage of that in Game 5. Leonard is the ultimate playmaker and he showed that.
Memphis Lacked Stops
Plain and simple, Memphis didn’t make enough defensive stops to win Game 5. In a matchup many thought would be a defensive battle, Game 5 ended up being played at a high-tempo and was much of an offensive game.
San Antonio opened up a 19-point lead in the third quarter before a nice run led by Mike Conley put Memphis back within 6 in the fourth. When Memphis needed a stop though, they couldn’t put one together.
A game that was a lot closer than the final boxscore perceived was decided by a superstar and his sharp-shooting teammates. The Spurs shot 14-28 (50%) from three-point range.
Now, on the brink of elimination, the Grizzlies will another valiant effort at home in order to force a Game 7. They’re going to need big offensive games from Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, for sure, but perhaps the biggest key to victory will depend on how many defensive stops Memphis can grind out.