SAN ANTONIO – A week ago, the Spurs had taken a 2-0 series lead on the Grizzlies and appeared on their way to another Memphis sweep. How quickly things change in seven days.
The Grizzlies have shown their bite and battled back to tie the series 2-2.
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The series is now a best of three with Game 5 set for Tuesday night at the AT&T Center.
Game 5 could have been a series closer for the Spurs.
Kawhi Leonard scored 43 points in Game 4, becoming only the sixth player in Spurs franchise history to score 40 points or more in a playoff game.
While impressive, the Spurs said at Monday’s practice they need to help their all-star forward and he can’t be forced to do it alone.
“He does it for us time and time again, he saves us. He pretty much kept us in the game,” said Danny Green. “We can’t expect him to do it every night, we need more guys to step up and help. A game like that, you have to win those games, we can't let that slip away.”
#Spurs Pau Gasol on whether it feels as if Kawhi's 43-pt game was wasted, also discusses talking to brother Marc after game-winner #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/1rZgIN5Bqw
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) April 24, 2017
Tony Parker also bounced back after a dismal Game 3 to score 22 in Game 4 and San Antonio forced 22 Memphis turnovers, yet it was not enough to bring home a 3-1 series lead.
Two primary reasons why: Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies duo countered every big play by Leonard and Parker in Game 4.
Conley has averaged 26.7 points per game since he was slowed down in Game 1.
Gasol scored only 16 points in Game 4, but had the two biggest baskets of the game, a three-point play in overtime after Memphis guard Andrew Harrison blocked a Patty Mills layup attempt that would have put San Antonio up by four, and the game-winning shot with 0.7 second left in the game.
The focus on Monday was simply being more physical with the Grizzlies, playing better defense and not allowing them to continue their momentum.
“The main message of how we played on the road in Memphis was that they just beat us up. That’s their style of play and we didn’t react very well to it,” Mills said. “Coming back home here, we definitely need to come out defensively first, and throw the first punch, and be aggressive for the whole game.”
Another key to the Spurs' struggles in Memphis was bench play. The Spurs bench was outscored 27-17 in Game 4.
Head coach Gregg Popovich said Monday it’s not solely about the bench, but everyone needs to step up their game.
“You want everyone to play well, but it’s not about the starters or the bench,” said Popovich. “It’s about anybody who’s on the court reacting well defensively.”
The message has been sent. The Grizzlies have made it a series. It will be up to the Spurs now whether that message is received.
“Physicality is going to be a huge factor in Game 5,” Pau Gasol said. “Whoever is more aggressive is going to have an advantage. Everyone is going to have to bring it.”