Western Conference Playoffs Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the #2 seeded San Antonio Spurs (61-21) will take on the #7 seeded Memphis Grizzlies (43-39). The regular season series is split at 2-2. Game 1 will tip off on Saturday at 8:00 PM EST on ESPN.

Despite the huge gap in records, this series could be a lot more competitive than expected. While the Spurs are a true championship contender with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge at the helm, it isn't like the Grizzlies are chopped liver. They have plenty of playoff experience and have a very solid trio consisting of Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies are dangerous and certainly have the pieces to give the Spurs a good scare.

If you listen to the podcast that accompanies this preview, you would know that one of the things talked about is how the Grizzlies have been jinxed by injuries over the years. Shortly after recording the podcast, news broke that Tony Allen is out indefinitely due to a muscle strain in his right leg and isn't expected to play in the series. Without Tony Allen, the Grizzlies lose their best perimeter defender and the heart and soul of their defensive identity. His absence is huge and makes things a lot tougher for the Grizzlies to win this series.

The Spurs on the flip side are at full strength, which gives them a huge advantage in this series. Without Tony Allen in their grill, guys like Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Tony Parker should have a much easier time scoring from the perimeter and attacking the rim off the dribble. Look for the Spurs to take full advantage of Allen's absence in this series.

While it is true that the absence of Tony Allen puts the Grizzlies behind the eight ball, it isn't like the Grizzlies can't win this series. They can. We've seen them win playoff games on the road before and thrive in the underdog role. If the Grizzlies want to win this series, they'll need to get stellar production from the Conley, Randolph, Gasol trio and really muck up the game with their grit and grind style. If they can slow the pace down and limit the amount of possessions on both sides, they'll give themselves a shot at winning this series.

As far as the Spurs are concerned, what they need to do is take advantage of the fact that they have the best player in this series in Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is averaging 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He's perhaps the best two-way player in the NBA and is a legitimate MVP candidate. If Leonard has a big series, the Grizzlies are toast. It's that simple. The Grizzlies have to do all they can to slow him down and force the Spurs to rely more on their other guys.

In addition to Leonard, the Spurs also have LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, and other weapons. The Spurs are the much deeper team, so it isn't like slowing Leonard guarantees a win for the Grizzlies. The Spurs should be able to overwhelm the Grizzlies with their plethora of options to the point that if Leonard has an off night, they'll still win.

When it comes to making a prediction for this series, I said in the podcast that the Spurs will win the series in six games and even with Tony Allen out, I'll stand by that prediction. The Spurs do have more weapons, but the Grizzlies' trio of Conley, Randolph, and Gasol should be able to extend this series to a Game 6. The Spurs will come out on top because they have more weapons, but the Grizzlies won't make it easy.





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Tomahawk Tuesday: The Memphis Grizzlies are poised to do some damage

As always, the Memphis Grizzlies are grinding away in the background, doing what they do best, which is score little and have their opponents score less. The Grizzlies hold a solid 18-11 record, having won 7 of their last 10 games while scoring only 96.4 points per game, which ranks 29th in the NBA. As one would have to expect, the Grizzlies are really excelling in opponents points per game, holding opponents to 96.7 points per game, which is second best in the NBA. Ironically, the Grizzlies actually average fewer points per game than their opponents, but somehow have a winning record. It's a weird statistical fact that just underscores what Grizzly basketball is all about: Placing a premium on stellar defense and essentially ignoring offense all together.

While the Grizzlies are probably ranking lower in points per game than they would prefer, it doesn't appear to be affecting them too much when looking at their record. Marc Gasol (19.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game) and Mike Conley (18.3 points and 5.6 assists per game) are both playing very good basketball while Zach Randolph is still getting it done inside averaging 13.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.  Despite not making much changes to their grit and grind roster, the Grizzlies are once again looking like a team that could do damage in the playoffs if given the right opportunity.

While it is true that the Memphis Grizzlies often don't do much beyond winning a first round playoff series, I would like to put forth some reasons for why this year could be different.

First, the Grizzlies are defending at a very high level. I've already mentioned how they are #2 in opponents points per game and to go along with that, they are #2 in opponent field goal percentage (43.0%) and #11 in the NBA in rebounds per game (44.5).  Their defense is stellar.

Second, the Grizzlies have a lot of experience with their core trio of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph. This is not the first rodeo for this Grizzlies team. They'e been through a lot together and they are all too aware of their playoff shortcomings in the past. With that in mind, they've learned a lot from those shortcomings and are a much more seasoned team than they were a couple of years ago.

Third, if given the right circumstances, the Grizzlies could shock the world. A lot of the NBA playoffs come down to matchups and staying healthy. The Grizzlies have had some bad luck with the injury bug over the years and have failed to be at full strength in the playoffs. If they are able to keep their key guys healthy and go against a couple of teams that are banged up and not at full strength, the Grizzlies could easily take advantage due to their physical brand of basketball.

While it's unlikely that the Memphis Grizzlies get past the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs if they are at full strength, they could get past those teams should they lose some key players to injury. Injuries always play a major role in the NBA playoffs and if the Grizzlies navigate the injury waters better than any other team in the NBA, they could see themselves playing in the Western Conference Finals or even NBA Finals.

The bottom line when it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies is that they are still a very dangerous team with Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen as their core four guys. They defend at a high level, control the glass, and play a brand of basketball that nobody likes to play. Given the right conditions and opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies could make some noise this season and emerge as a serious contender in the Western Conference.

Tomahawk Tuesday is a weekly post that focuses on the Western Conference. 

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Daily Dunks: 7/13-7-19

                                                  (Credit Andy Melton: Click here for source)

This is my Daily Dunks page for July 13, 2015 through July 19, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Nick Calathes is leaving the Grizzlies and has signed with Panathinaikos B.C. (Click here for details).

#2. The Nets traded point guard Steve Blake to the Pistons for forward Quincy Miller (Click here for details).

#3. The Kings have officially signed Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli, and Kosta Koufos (Click here for details).

#4. Marc Gasol officially re-signed with the Grizzlies (Click here for details).

#5. The Nets waived forward Cory Jefferson (Click here for details).

#6. The Celtics and Nuggets discussed a trade centered around Danilo Gallinari (Click here for details).

#7. Luigi Datome is leaving the Celtics to sign with Fenerbahce Ulker (Click here for details).

#8. George Karl is optimistic he and DeMarcus Cousins can work things out (Click here for details).

#9. Jameer Nelson re-signed with the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic signed with the Nuggets (Click here for details).
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#10. The Pacers signed point guard Joseph Young to a two-year, $4M rookie deal (Click here for details).

Monday's NBA Summer League scores: 

Cavaliers 94 Bucks 87 (OT). Pelicans 89 Nets 83. D-League Select 84 Hawks 74. Kings 90 Warriors 71. Nuggets 86 Heat 83. Knicks 76 Lakers 66. Raptors 95 Rockets 87. Jazz 91 Timberwolves 82.

Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Former Stanford guard Chasson Randle had 10 points for the Warriors. Former Stanford forward Stefan Nastic had 14 points and 4 rebounds for the Warriors.

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Bulls signed both Mike Dunleavy and Aaron Brooks (Click here for details).

#2. The Magic re-signed Tobias Harris (Click here for details).

#3. The Thunder traded power forward Perry Jones III  to the Celtics (Click here for details).

#4. With Perry Jones III gone, the Thunder are expected to sign Josh Huestis to their roster (Click here for details).

#5. Nets power forward Thomas Robinson will undergo surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his knee. He is out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#6. The Timberwolves have officially signed Nemanja Bjelica (Click here for details).

#7. The Magic have officially signed center Jason Smith (Click here for details).

#8. The 76ers signed guard Pierre Jackson to a four-year, partially guaranteed deal (Click here for details).

#9. Ty Lawson has been arrested for a DUI. The Nuggets are thinking about waiving him (Click here for details).

#10. The Clippers waived guard Lester Hudson (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Summer League scores: 

Spurs 79 Trail Blazers 75. Wizards 85 Mavericks 79. Nets 87 Bulls 86. Knicks 84 76ers 81 (OT). Celtics 101 Heat 69. Suns 91 Jazz 82.

Former Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin exploded for 26 points for the 76ers. Former UConn point guard Ryan Boatright had 21 points for the Nets. Suns shooting guard Devin Booker had 18 points.

Tuesday's WNBA Final scores: 

Lynx 85 Sun 79. Mercury 80 Dream 71. Lynx forward Maya Moore had 26 points.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. After undergoing surgery, Nets power forward Thomas Robinson is expected to be ready for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. The Raptors officially signed Luis Scola and second round pick Norman Powell. They also signed guard Axel Toupane to a partially guaranteed deal (Click here for details on Powell. Click here for details on Scola. Click here for details on Toupane).

#3. The Clippers signed second round pick Branden Dawson (Click here for details).

#4. The Celtics waived guard Phil Pressey (Click here for details).

#5. George Karl wants his son Coby Karl to join his staff in Sacramento. Vlade Divac won't allow it (Click here for details).

#6. Mikhail Prokhorov may buy 100% of the Nets (Click here for details).

#7. Matthew Dellavedova and the Cavaliers are reportedly far apart from a deal (Click here for details).

#8. The Wisconsin senate approved the Bucks' financial plan for their new arena (Click here for details).

#9. Vlade Divac feels as though Rajon Rondo was a "steal" in free agency (Click here for details).

#10. Alexey Shved is leaving the Knicks. He signed a three-year deal with Khimki Moscow (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA Summer League scores: 

Bucks 97 Rockets 93. Nets 75 76ers 68. Hawks 75 Heat 64. Warriors 83 Kings 67. Wizards 86 Jazz 78. Mavericks 88 Lakers 86. Bulls 91 Cavaliers 73. Trail Blazers 82 Timberwolves 77.

Wednesday's WNBA Final scores: 

Liberty 84 Stars 68. Sky 85 Mystics 57. Storm 68 Sparks 61. Fever 83 Shock 80.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Spurs re-signed Matt Bonner (Click here for details).

#2. Joe Johnson may come off the bench for the Nets next season (Click here for details).

#3. The Nuggets are interested in signing Danilo Gallinari to an extension (Click here for details).

#4. The Clippers signed Josh Smith (Click here for details).

#5. The Kings signed guard James Anderson after Luc Richard Mbah a Moute failed his physical and was unable to sign with the team (Click here for details on Anderson and here for details on Mbah a Moute).

#6. Mavericks president and CEO Terdema Ussery is stepping down in August to take a job with Under Armour (Click here for details).

#7. Due to DeAndre Jordan staying with the Clippers, J.J. Barea is getting more money from the Mavericks (Click here for details).

#8. The Pistons signed second round pick Darrun Hillard to a three-year contract (Click here for details).

#9. The Nuggets have interest in re-signing Darrell Arthur (Click here for details).

#10. The Kings have signed Willie Cauley-Stein (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA Summer League results: 

Suns 106 Bucks 90. Warriors 76 Knicks 54. Mavericks 104 D-League Select 88. Spurs 74 Nets 71. Pelicans 97 Wizards 81. Hawks 82 Nuggets 73. Bulls 84 Raptors 80. Celtics 91 Trail Blazers 85.

Hawks power forward Brandon Ashley had 18 points and 8 rebounds.

Thursday's WNBA final scores: 

Dream 76 Sparks 72. Liberty 64 Sun 57.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Trail Blazers shooting guard Allen Crabbe is out 4-6 weeks with a left ankle sprain (Click here for details).

#2. After officially signing Mirza Teletovic, Sonny Weems, and Ronny Price, the Suns waived guard Jerel McNeal (Click here for details).

#3. The Suns officially re-signed Brandon Knight (Click here for details).

#4. The Spurs officially signed Boban Marjanovic (Click here for details).

#5. Seth Curry may be nearing a training camp deal with the Pelicans (Click here for details).

#6. The Bucks have signed Rashad Vaughn to his rookie contract (Click here for details).

#7.The Nets officially signed Andrea Bargnani (Click here for details).

#8. The Pelicans officially signed Alonzo Gee (Click here for details).

#9.Gianni Antetokounmpo says he wants to stay with the Bucks forever (Click here for details).

#10. Magic forward Aaron Gordon underwent surgery for a fractured jaw (Click here for details and also click here  for commentary from Magic assistant coach Mario Elie about Gordon's development).

#11. Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson has entered an alcohol rehab facility (Click here for details).

#12. Michael Jordan will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame (Click here for details).

#13. Forward Adonis Thomas has signed a non-guarnteed deal with the Pistons (Click here for details).

#14. LeBron James hit a cool shot from his seat at Summer League (Click here to watch).

#15. Celtics point guard Marcus Smart jammed his fingers good, but he's likely ok (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA Summer League scores: 

76ers 100 Rockets 96. Kings 73 Heat 68 (OT). Cavaliers 78 Timberwolves 73. Jazz 84 Lakers 78. D-League Select 85 Nets 64. Knicks 83 Bucks 76. Wizards 97 Nuggets 89. Trail Blazers 72 Raptors 64.

Friday's WNBA final scores: 

Mystics 68 Fever 50. Lynx 84 Sky 66. Stars 65 Shock 58.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Lakers, Rockets, and Pistons reportedly have interest in trading for Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (Click here for details).

#2. Jason Collins says he is trying to help a former male tennis player come out of the closet (Click here for details).

#3. The Raptors officially signed Bismack Biyombo (Click here for details).

#4. Pacers small forward Paul George hopes to win MVP in the 2015-16 season (Click here for details).

#5. Jerry West told KNBR that the Warriors front office is "The most healthy environment I've been involved with since I've been in the NBA" (Click here for details).

#6. Sasha Kaun, currently a center for CSKA Moscow, may or may not come over to play for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers are undecided about whether or not to give him a roster spot (Click here for details).

#7. The Pacers hit a snag in regards to signing Monta Ellis, but they still will sign him anyways (Click here for details).

#8. The Celtics have also hit a snag with signing a player of their own: Second-round pick Jordan Mickey (Click here for details).

#9. David West's contract with the Spurs includes a player option for the following season (Click here for details).

#10. The 76ers signed guard Scottie Wilbekin to a four-year deal (Click here for details).

Saturday's NBA Summer League scores: 

Spurs 96 Celtics 93. Hawks 91 Mavericks 83. Suns 91 Bulls 84. Pelicans 100 Warriors 91. Pelicans shooting guard Seth Curry had 24 points.

Saturday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Storm 86 Dream 73. Liberty 75 Mercury 73. Liberty guard Brittany Boyd had 13 points off the bench.

Note: The Fever-Sun game was canceled and has been rescheduled to be played on July 28 (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Kyle Anderson of the Spurs has been named the MVP of the Las Vegas NBA Summer League (Click here for details).

#2. Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is reportedly happy he didn't go to the Knicks to play in their triangle system (Click here for details).

#3. The Nuggets traded Ty Lawson to the Rockets (Click here for full details of the trade as well as my own analysis).

#4. The Nuggets will reportedly waive or trade Pablo Prigioni, whom they acquired in the Ty Lawson deal (Click here for details).

#5. Charles Barkley is getting tired of Warriors fans (Click here for details).

#6. J.R. Smith is probably going to regret opting out of his contract with the Cavaliers (Click here for details).

#7. K.J. McDaniels re-signed with the Rockets for 3 years, $10M (Click here for details).

#8. Tony Allen wants to play five more years and he wants all five of those years to be with the Grizzlies (Click here for details).

#9. Danny Granger may stay with the Pistons (Click here for details).

#10. The Spurs and Suns will face off in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League championship on Monday at 9:00 PM EST on NBATV.

Sunday's NBA Summer League scores: 

Spurs 75 Hawks 68. Suns 93 Pelicans 87.

Sunday's WNBA final scores: 

Lynx 79 Shock 72. Dream 93 Stars 82. Mystics 89 Sun 82. Lynx forward Maya Moore had 32 points.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord and like my Facebook page NBA Lord Nation for NBA news