(2) San Antonio Spurs (67-15) vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies (42-40)
Normally, the Memphis Grizzlies would be viewed as dangerous matchup for the San Antonio Spurs, but this time around this is not the case. The Spurs are on cruise control with only the Golden State Warriors giving them problems. As for the Grizzlies, they are beyond banged up. They are without Mike Conley, Brandan Wright, Marc Gasol, and Jordan Adams for the season due to an assortment of injuries.
Plus, Tony Allen, who is the heart and soul of their team, is questionable for Game 1 due to a hamstring injury, which has been an issue for him in previous playoff series'. The Grizzlies have a lot to overcome and then when you put them up against a team like the Spurs, they virtually have no shot at getting out of the first round.
What makes the Spurs so dangerous is that they have two emerging superstars in LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard to go along with a veteran supporting cast composed of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and David West. The Spurs have all the pieces necessary to win the 2016 NBA championship. They have the talent, the experience, the youth, and the depth. They have it all.
The Grizzlies on the other hand at best are a team capable of giving elite teams like the Spurs and Warriors trouble, but nothing more than that. Their philosophy of winning basketball games by defense alone is admirable but not realistic. They are the anti-Nellyball, which is refreshing considering that most teams are looking for ways to score as many points as possible. The Grizzlies pride themselves on how many games they can win without cracking 90 points, which sounds weird, but it's the truth. They want to freeze the tempo and force teams to survive their brutal and physical play.
If the Grizzlies were at full strength, I would give them a puncher's chance of making this series interesting since I have tremendous respect for Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley as a trio. Plus, I used to cover the Memphis Grizzlies for FanSided, so I have a soft spot for them in my heart. But with Zach Randolph being the only guy in that trio that is actually playing in this series, I give the Grizzlies no chance at wining this series. They might get a game in the Memphis, but that's the best-case scenario that I see for the Grizzlies.
Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, who both are averaging 18+ points per game, will step up big and ensure that their older players get the rest they need. The Spurs will win this series in four games and the Grizzlies will be sent home packing with another season filled with "what ifs" and "what could have beens" had they not exploded due to injuries. It'll be a long offseason in Memphis and the Spurs will make it come as quickly as possible.
Note: Game 1 of this series is Sunday at 8:00 PM EST on TNT
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