R2 Review: San Antonio V Memphis

In the highly anticipated second round series of the 2023 NSL Playoffs between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio entered as the clear favorite, backed by their strong regular season performance and high expectations. However, Memphis was not to be underestimated, having split their four regular season matchups evenly with the Spurs. The stage was set for an exciting and closely contested series.

The Memphis Grizzlies who ended up 3rd in the Western Conference won their first round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2, the San Antonio Spurs who finished at the 2nd place in the standings swept the Houston Rockets in their first round match up. That means little more Rest for the Spurs before this second round series began.

Game 1:

The series kicked off in San Antonio with great intensity as both teams sought to establish their dominance. In the first game, San Antonio showcased their superiority, displaying impeccable teamwork, skillful execution, and a balanced offensive attack. Giannis Antetokounmpo showed his dominance on both sides of the court with a 24 point and 17 rebound game. Harden added another 33 points to this dominant performance. On Memphis side Beal shoed that he will leave all on the court in this series with a 29 points game, Bam Adebayo  had 13 points and 13 rebounds as the second best Memphis player, but all of that was not enough. The Spurs secured a dominating win, sending a message to Memphis that they were in for a tough battle.

Game 2:

Undeterred by the initial loss, the Grizzlies responded in the second game in Texas. They came out firing on all cylinders, demonstrating resilience and determination. Capitalizing on their strengths and exploiting San Antonio�s weaknesses, Memphis managed to secure a hard-fought victory, leveling the series at 1-1. This time not Beal and Adebayo lead the way for the team, but Herro with 30 points and 6 rebounds and Brown with 26 and 6 rebounds helped a lot to secure this 2^nd game victory. Antetokounmpo�s again very strong performance, with a good help of Harden and Brooks wasn�t enough this time.

Game 3:

But it doesn�t take long for San Antonio to answer back. As the series progressed and moved on to Memphis, the Spurs refocused as expected and regained their composure. They reestablished their dominance in the following game, executing their game plan with precision and displaying their superior talent and depth.  Two players of the Spurs hat 22 rebounds with Antetokounmpo and McGee, 16 additional rebounds from Caulney-Stein, this way the Spurs caught 14 more rebounds in this game. Antetokounmpo added strong 34 points, with a help of 5 other Spurs with double digit points. 26 points for both Beal and Harden wasn�t enough for Memphis to overcome this dominant Spurs performance. So the series turned to a 2-1 lead for the Spurs. 

Game 4:

The fourth game saw both teams battling intensely, fully aware of the significance of each possession. Memphis, determined, put forth an exceptional performance. Especially top scorer of the game Bradley Beal put up 26 points and 5 rebounds. They demonstrated resilience and executed their game plan with precision. However, San Antonio�s superior talent and experience ultimately shone through. Again 6 players in double digit points and Antetokounmpo with 20 rebounds on top was too much to overcome f�r the Grizzlies. With key plays down the stretch, the Spurs emerged victorious, pushing the Grizzlies to the brink of elimination with a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5:

Facing this do-or-die situation in the fifth game back in San Antonio, Memphis fought with great intensity, leaving everything on the court to avoid elimination and keep their playoff hopes alive. Beal put up 27 points, with Browns assistance of 23 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Both teams engaged in a tightly contested battle, trading blows throughout the game. However, the Spurs overall depth and skill proved too much for the Grizzlies to handle. 35 points from Antetokounmpo , 25 points from Brooks and 21 points from Harden was enough for this solid and final win in this series for San Antonio. With a combination of timely plays and exceptional teamwork, San Antonio emerged triumphant, winning the game and securing the series 4-1.

Summary:

Although the Spurs ended up winning, the series was not completely one-sided. The Grizzlies win in the second game showed that they were resilient and capable of competing against the favored Spurs. The close and competitive games they had during the regular season continued into the playoffs, proving that Memphis was a strong and challenging opponent.

Overall, this playoff series between San Antonio and Memphis was filled with intense competition, thrilling moments, and exceptional displays of skill. The Spurs status as the favorite was justified by their superior performance, but the Grizzlies resilience and ability to challenge them ensured an entertaining series for fans and observers alike. Giannis Antetokounmpo stood out as the undeniable MVP of this series, averaging 17.2 points, 6.2 assists, and impressive 17.2 rebounds per game. On the opposing side, Beal and Brown were the two top players, we decided that Brown had a little more impact than Beal as he emerged as a solid performer with 20.4 points, 4.4 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game.

The San Antonio Spurs moved one to battle the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals. Congrats to the Spurs to win this series! And also congrats to the Grizzlies for their playoff run!