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NBA Playoffs 2013, Grizzlies vs. Spurs Game 2: San Antonio not worried about near-collapse

2013-05-22T13:30:05Z

The Memphis Grizzlies gave the San Antonio Spurs all they could handle on Tuesday night with a 15-2 run to end regulation and send the game into overtime as the Spurs notched the win, 93-89.

More: Grizzlies fans should visit Grizzly Bear Blues | Spurs fans should head over to Pounding the Rock

But do the way things played out mean anything in terms of a shift in the series dynamic?

The Spurs did what they were supposed to do and held home court; they will now take a 2-0 series lead into Memphis and can afford a lapse.

Whether or not they have any wiggle room is the biggest question following a major scare. They were poised to cruise to a win in Game 2 and crush the Grizzlies' spirits en route to a blowout win. But just when things looked bleakest, Memphis showed that victories won't come easy on either surface

Is anyone in San Antonio panicking?

"They made a run, and we got ourselves in a pretty decent position" said Tim Duncan matter-of-factly after the game. "We played well for three quarters. I hate that we gave up that big of a lead in that situation, but we were resilient enough to go to overtime and not let it affect us."

Head coach Gregg Popovich was more candid in his response to the disappearing 18-point deficit.

"Sometimes your worst nightmare is a big lead," he said. "It's tough to keep leads often times. [Tuesday] we weren't able to do it. They're a heck of a basketball team, they're not going to give in."

The Spurs have first-hand experience that can attest to the fact that no series lead is safe. Last season, they lost a series to the Oklahoma City Thunder after taking a 2-0 lead. Similarly, Memphis came back from an 0-2 deficit that same postseason to overcome the Los Angeles Clippers.

There's no room for anyone to get comfortable, but the Grizzlies have every reason to head into Game 3 with plenty of confidence.

"This is what we've looked like all year long if you've seen us play," said Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. "I'm proud of my group and how we competed and how kept fighting. And we're in the same boat we were when we left L.A."

(All quotes via NBA live streaming)

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NBA Playoffs 2013, Grizzlies vs. Spurs Game 2: San Antonio survives wild finish to prevail, 93-89

2013-05-22T04:20:26Z

Jerryd Bayless' tough three-pointer from the wing fell woefully off line as the San Antonio Spurs staved off a furious comeback attempt by the Memphis Grizzlies and prevailed on Tuesday night, 93-89, to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Finals.

For more on Grizzlies, check out Grizzly Bear Blues | Spurs fans should head over to Pounding the Rock

Missing 1-of-2 free throws was the only thing Tony Parker did wrong all night long, as it gave Memphis life in the waning seconds of overtime, but San Antonio made key stops and found a way to win.

After making a key block on Marc Gasol on the defensive end in overtime, Tim Duncan hit a jumper in the lane that hit every part of the rim and backboard before falling in to give the Spurs a four-point lead with 1:08 remaining. On the next sequence, the Grizzlies grabbed three offensive rebounds before Bayless hit a jumper at the top of the key to cut the lead to two with 16.9 seconds remaining in the extra frame.

That was nothing compared to the drama to end regulation, however.

A controversial play involving Tony Allen and Manu Ginobili allowed the Memphis Grizzlies to complete an improbable comeback and take things into overtime. Ginobili committed a questionably-called flagrant foul on Allen, who brought the game to within two after converting two free-throw attempts. Memphis then got the ball back afterward by rule.

On the next play, Mike Conley made a floater in the lane with 18.2 seconds remaining to tie the game at 85 apiece, thus capping a 15-2 Grizzlies run after San Antonio dominated most of the game. Tim Duncan had a chance to win the game but missed a tough look at the elbow as time in regulation expired.

The Grizzlies cut what was at one time a 18-point deficit to eight points on a thunderous dunk by Quincy Pondexter near the six-minute mark. He parlayed that jam into a corner three-pointer that hit nothing but net to bring the Grizzlies within five.

The Pondexter dunk is worth another look, as it was a key moment in the game:

But Ginobili answered with a drive-and-dish to Tiago Splitter that extended the lead back to seven. The Argentinian did it on both ends of the floor late in the game with a key block on Bayless shortly thereafter.

Tony Parker was the star of the game, finishing with 15 points and a career playoff-high 18 assists to lead the Spurs. Duncan added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard neared a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Memphis out-shot San Antonio by 14 shots, and they outrebounded the home team by a margin of 59-46. However, the large deficit proved to be too much for them to overcome in the end.

Mike Conley and Bayless took the scoring honors for the Grizzlies and finished with 18 points apiece, while Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol added 15 and 12.

The story of the first half was the Spurs' lock down defense. They held Memphis to just 25 percent shooting through the first two frames and kept them out of the paint, forcing them into tough, contested shots and low-percentage shots. Randolph and Gasol shot a combined 3-for-15 during that span and put a lot of pressure on the perimeter players to make outside shots.

The Spurs took care of the ball early on and only committed four turnovers in the first half. Additionally, they showed balance, as each starter registered at least five points. Parker knifed his way through the normally-stingy Grizzlies' defense to free up space and record eight assists in that time frame.

It continued in the third quarter, when Parker went wild and recorded an incredible eight assists to bring his total for the game to 16, which secured a playoff career-high for him. Through three quarters, the Spurs had a collective 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which manifested itself in the lopsided score at the end of 36 minutes, 76-64.

By the time the teams entered the fourth quarter, the game appeared well in hand for the Spurs, as they had secured all of the momentum. However, the Grizzlies soon cut it to within single digits and ended up winning the quarter 21-9 to knot things up at 85 to end regulation.

The Grizzlies couldn't carry their momentum into overtime, however, as the Spurs took the period 8-4, finishing off the scrappy Grizzlies team to take a imposing 2-0 series lead as the series shifts to Memphis.

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NBA Draft 2013: Mavericks could shop No. 13 pick to maintain cap space

2013-05-22T02:35:02Z

The Dallas Mavericks are trying to trade their No. 13 overall draft pick in hopes of saving cap space before the 2013 NBA Draft takes place, according to ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford.

Join fellow Mavericks fans at Mavs Moneyball

The Mavs are major players in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, and reports have indicated that the Los Angeles Lakers big man and soon-to-be free agent is taking a hard look at the Lone Star State for his next playing destination. In order to make a real play for his services, Dallas needs to free up all the cap space they can in order to offer him a competitive contract.

The signee from the Mavericks' first-round selection would be slated to make $1,655,300. That's a considerable amount considering that Howard will command the maximum that teams other than the Lakers can offer. Howard has been silent so far in the offseason and has not made any definitive statements as to his intentions, although there has been speculation he is unhappy with the coaching situation in Los Angeles.

If Dallas is successful in clearing space, they will compete with the Houston Rockets for his services. The Rockets are positioned from a salary cap standpoint and have the young players to make an attractive offer and give Dallas and Los Angeles stiff competition for Howard's services.

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Washington Wizards claim No. 3 pick in 2013 NBA Draft lottery

2013-05-22T01:37:23Z

The Washington Wizards claimed the No. 3 pick at the 2013 NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night and will now have the opportunity to turn things around after a difficult end to the 2012-13 season. With young-and-upcoming guards John Wall and Bradley Beal already in place, it seems the Wizards are on their way to becoming relevant again in the Eastern Conference.

Wizards fans consider draft options at Bullets Forever

The Cavaliers, Magic and Wizards found themselves in the running in the top three for the No. 1 pick. Washington had just the eighth-best odds of winning the lottery, yet they still managed to find themselves in the running late. The No. 1 overall pick would've been nice, although there will be plenty of options for the team with the third pick.

The Cavs ended up winning the lottery for the second time in three years, with the Magic dropping to No. 2. Here is the full lottery order.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Orlando Magic

3. Washington Wizards

4. Charlotte Bobcats

5. Phoenix Suns

6. New Orleans Pelicans

7. Sacramento Kings

8. Detroit Pistons

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

10. Portland Trail Blazers

11. Philadelphia 76ers

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto)

13. Dallas Mavericks

14. Utah Jazz

Washington lost its last six games of the season, surpassing the 100-point mark only once during the stretch while allowing opponents to score 104.7. For the entire season, the team scored a paltry 93.2 points per contest. The caveat here is that Wall didn't play until January and gave the team an instant lift offensively upon returning to action.

So where will the Wizards go with their selection? With a young backcourt poised to lead the franchise into the future in Wall and Beal, all signs point to general manager Ernie Grunfeld going big and looking to bolster the frontcourt. Emeka Okafor and Nene are each 30 years old, so a young prospect such as Alex Len or Anthony Bennett could make sense, even if it takes them some time to develop. Nerlens Noel would be the ideal player, although he likely won't be around at No. 3.

If Washington is looking for an athletic wing, if could take a hard look at local product Otto Porter out of Georgetown. As the top-ranked small forward, Porter has size and a dynamic skill set that can make an impact right away.

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Dwight Howard expressed frustrations with Mike D'Antoni to Lakers' GM

2013-05-21T12:30:05Z

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard hasn't said much in the media since an unceremonious end to the 2012-13 season, but when it came to what could be a final meeting between he and Lakers management, he voiced several concerns, many of which centered around head coach Mike D'Antoni.

Howard met separately with general manager Mitch Kupchak and head coach Mike D'Antoni following the end-of-season exit interviews, according to ESPN Los Angeles. Once D'Antoni left and Howard was able to speak with Kupchak alone, he let him know he was unhappy with the way D'Antoni overlooked him to be a team leader.

More: A blessing in disguise for Lakers fans?

Veterans Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash were the primary consultants on matters related to the Lakers' troubles during a tumultuous season, which upset Howard, according to the report. The fact that Howard wasn't a part of such dealings could factor in on whether or not he chooses to re-sign with the Lakers once free agency begins in July.

He wasn't happy about it, and now Lakers fans and the rest of the league have to play the waiting game to see what happens next. D'Antoni's earlier move to dismiss assistant coaches Steve Clifford and Chuck Person could also factor in, as Howard confided in both during the season.

The saga wears on, and these latest developments don't make Howard's assertion that he's "hopeful" seem any more concrete.

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NBA Playoffs 2013, Bulls vs. Heat Game 5: Dwyane Wade's signature moment makes big statement

2013-05-16T17:05:57Z

The Chicago Bulls gave the Miami Heat everything they had on Wednesday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but fell short; after barely being cleared to suit up for the contest, Dwyane Wade was the reason why.

For more on the Bulls, visit Blog A Bull | For more on the Heat, visit Hot Hot Hoops

After going into the locker room to get re-taped, the superstar displayed the kind of toughness his Bulls opponents are known for. Wade came on strong late, grabbing three rebounds and going 3-for-3 for six points, including the final, game-clinching dunk.

That signature play came with three minutes remaining, when Wade flew in to clean up Norris Cole's missed jumper in vintage fashion. It took the air out of the Bulls squad, put the Heat up by seven and capped a gritty fourth-quarter performance from the perennial All-Star.

More than the flashy plays, he showed that he's still one of the game's true closers by scoring the Heat's last three field goals. It just so happened that the highlight-reel play capped off a brilliant sequence that sealed the win. His two Euro-step moves before that were just as impressive, and even drew the attention of the league's best player.

"He doesn't have to prove himself to anyone," said LeBron James. "No one. When he's out on the floor, no matter what the stat sheets says, he's a threat."

The stat sheet did in fact say something about how good he was this time around, though. Wade finished with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting from the field and hit 4-of-4 from the free throw line. He dished out six assists, added two steals and grabbed five rebounds.

But how did he do it? How did he go from being so hobbled that he could barely play to having the lift in his legs to throw down that ferocious putback?

"Bron said 'I need one from you,'" Wade said. "The biggest thing is to uncloud your mind and understand what you're dealing with and just go out there and play basketball."

The Heat will need to more of the same from Wade moving forward, and by helping Miami move on in five games, he earned some well-deserved and much-needed rest. If he can play like he did at the end of this series, and display that athleticism when he's not completely healthy, it stands to reason that he should improve even more after several days of rest.

"Out of all the games in the playoffs, this was the best I've felt so far today," he added. "So hopefully I'm on the right track."

(Quotes via NBA Live Streaming)

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NBA Playoffs 2013, Bulls vs. Heat Game 5: Dwyane Wade steps up to lift Miami, 94-91

2013-05-16T01:52:50Z

Jimmy Butler missed a three-pointer from the wing that would've tied the game, allowing the Miami Heat to overcome the Chicago Bulls, 94-91, at the American Airlines Center in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Wednesday night.

For more on the Bulls, visit Blog A Bull | For more on the Heat, visit Hot Hot Hoops

Dwyane Wade's tip-dunk near the three-minute mark gave Miami a seven-point lead and sent the home crowd into a frenzy. They never looked back, despite Chicago cutting it to within three at the one-minute mark behind baskets by Carlos Boozer and Nate Robinson. The Heat managed to carry that momentum to a series win and become the first team to advance into the NBA conference finals.

Wade's tip-dunk, easily the play of the game, is worth another look:

For Miami, it took a balanced effort to conquer the Bulls. Four of the five starters scored in double figures, led by LeBron James' 23 points. He just 5-of-13 from the field, but mitigated those issues by making 12-of-15 free throws. Wade was clutch down the stretch after struggling with his knee injury in the first half, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Carlos Boozer led the way for the Bulls, scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Nate Robinson got into early foul trouble, but managed to add 21 points and six assists.

The first half was a rollercoaster ride that saw the Heat dominate from the opening tip and hit their first seven shots. Chicago looked rattled as they committed five turnovers in the first quarter before going on a 20-5 run that spanned through the first and second frames. Boozer was the star of the half and finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

The Bulls also did a serviceable job on James, who scored 10 points while hitting 2-of-4 shots in that same span. They got the ball out of his hands early, and it helped them force the rest of the Heat squad to beat them.

The third quarter saw the momentum stay with the Bulls, who continued to stifle the Heat with tough defense and force contested shots. The Heat are at their best when they get easy buckets in transition, and the Bulls put a stop to the easy scores. Neither team scored a fast break point in the third, and the Bulls did their job in maintaining a 77-69 lead through three.

But it was all Miami in the fourth, and they outscored Chicago 25-14 in the final frame. The Heat shot 46 percent from the field and committed just 10 turnovers, while giveaways cost the Bulls, who had 16 of their own.

Miami will move on to face the winner of the New York Knicks-Indiana Pacers series. They were 1-2 against the Pacers and 1-3 against the Knicks during the regular season.

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Bulls vs. Heat score update, Game 5: Chicago shows fight, leads 53-47 at the half

2013-05-16T00:13:41Z

The Chicago Bulls looked like they were all but finished as the Miami Heat opened Wednesday's Game 5 by hitting their first seven shots, but they didn't go quietly and eventually took the lead at the half, 53-47, at American Airlines arena.

For more on the Bulls, visit Blog A Bull | For more on the Heat, visit Hot Hot Hoops

The Bulls went on an incredible 20-5 run and were the aggressors in the second quarter after a dismal start. Carlos Boozer led the way for Chicago with 19 points and six rebounds, while Nate Robinson added 14 points, including a three-pointer to end the half that put the Bulls up by six.

Miami's big three of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade combined for 31 points, and they'll have to keep producing to stave off the resilient Bulls. Miami started out hot, but ended up shooting just 45 percent from the field and 22 percent from beyond the arc.

It looked like the game was going to get out of hand early, as Miami went on a 22-4 run to start the game. The Bulls responded by toughening up on defense and refocusing on their identity. Miami shot 61 percent from the field and committed just two turnovers in the first frame. The Bulls, on the other hand, turned the ball over five times, resulting in 10 easy points for the Heat.

Our own Jason Patt wrote up a Game 5 preview and asked some important questions:

Will the Heat deliver an early death blow?

It appeared that Miami would and, realistically, they should have with a big start to the game. But Chicago's comeback is the story of the first half.

James had the gall to guarantee there would be no Game 6 in Chicago, and it appears that the Bulls have taken it personally and responded in a big way.

Are the Bulls out of gas?

Despite being down by as many as 18 in the first, the Bulls came roaring back early in the second quarter and immediately showed signs of life as they began to do damage in the paint, exploiting Miami's biggest weakness.

Their jump shots were flat early, but when they made their run at the end of the first quarter and into the second, they found the strength to keep fighting. We have a basketball game on our hands, which didn't seem possible with the odds stacked in Miami's favor.

Can Robinson find the magic again?

Two fouls in the first quarter threatened to take the Bulls' de facto superstar out of the game early, but head coach Tom Thibodeau was forced to play him anyway. It turned out to be a smart move, as the veteran guard put together a performance that displayed all of the fight that's carried him throughout his career.

He's beaten the odds at every step of his basketball career. In Game 5, he has his team poised to do just that, as well.

More from SB Nation:

• Flannery: The Pacers are happening

• Pacers upend Knicks, take 3-1 series lead

• Spurs win easy vs. Warriors

• Ziller: Don't blame Kevin Durant

• The Bulls were historically unenjoyable

• Dan on Fire: Did Kobe fake his injury?