The San Antonio Spurs were the dominant team on Sunday in the Western Conference Finals.
Five Spurs scored in double digits in a convincing 105-83 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in game one of the series.
French point guard Tony Parker led the Spurs with 20 points. The game was basically over after the first quarter when the Spurs outscored the Grizzlies 31-14. The Spurs were equally as dominant in the fourth quarter offensively when they scored 32 points.
Tony Parker (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)
The San Antonio Spurs will play the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs.
On Thursday, the Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors 94-82 to win the Western Conference Semi-Final series 4-2.
The game was extremely close with about 3:46 left and the Spurs only leading the Warriors 77-75. Then the Spurs showed their experience by outscoring the Warriors 17-7 down the stretch, headlined by 10 points from Tony Parker, including two baskets from beyond the arc.
The Spurs also went with a smaller lineup down the stretch in the game interestingly enough. Head coach Greg Popovich elected to put Tiago Splitter in the game rather than his star Tim Duncan. The move paid off.
In other action, the New York Knicks have forced a game six Saturday night in their Eastern Conference semi-final against the Indiana Pacers. Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points as the Knicks defeated the Pacers 85-75. Indiana still leads the series 3-2.
When you think of the San Antonio Spurs, you think of great defense. Well, overtime things change and the San Antonio Spurs are no longer just a great defensive team. Monday night was a great example, as the Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors 129-127 in game one of the Western Conference semi-final.
Sure the game did go into double overtime, but a decade ago, it was more common to see the Spurs win easily by only posting double digits in total points.
The Edmonton Oil Kings are one win away from returning to the Western Hockey League’s Championship Final. On Sunday, the Oil Kings will play the Calgary Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome in game six of the Eastern Conference Final, leading the series 3-2.
On Friday night in Edmonton, the Oil Kings had a similar start in game five of the series to what they had in game four. Complete dominance. The Oil Kings scored three first period goals en route to a 5-1 victory. Game six can be seen on Sunday afternoon on Shaw at 4:00 p.m.
Tony Parker (Wikimedia Commons)
In watching the Stanley Cup and NBA Playoffs so far, one thing has become perfectly obvious. The New Jersey Devils and San Antonio Spurs are winning through a solid offense, and not just by their exceptional defense, something that they have been known for the last fifteen years.
Last night in Texas, the Spurs took a commanding 2-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Final, but won despite the fact they gave up a gawdy 111 points. Tony Parker scored 34 points and was a +15, while Emmanuel Ginoibli scored 30 points in a 120-111 victory.
Parker is averaging 20.5 points in thee postseason, while veteran Tim Duncan is averaging 16.8 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Devils have scored 51 postseason goals and have received points from 21 different players. Ilya Kovalchuk leads the team with 18 points, while Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, and Travis Zajac each have scored seven goals.
Kevin Durant (J. Smith, Wikimedia Commons)
There’s no doubt in my mind that Kevin Durant is the best player in the National Basketball Association.
Saturday night in Los Angeles proved it.
Durant made a game winning three point shot with 13.7 seconds left as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-100 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Final. Durant’s 26-foot shot over Metta World Peace might have just been the most significant shot in his basketball career. The Thunder are now in the driver’s seat as the series shifts back to Oklahoma on Monday.
In other action, the Miami Heat tied the series at 2 with the Indiana Pacers with a 101-93 win today. Sunday, LeBron James had his best game of the playoffs as he knocked down 40 points and 18 rebounds. Another player who played at a high level was Dwyane Wade. The 2006 NBA MVP had 30 points of his own after a silent game three.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs can close out the Los Angeles Clippers tonight with a win. Yesterday Tony Parker had a double double (23 points, 10 assists) in a 96-86 San Antonio win. The Spurs completely dominated the second half in this one. The Spurs were once down 53-43 at the half, but outscored the Clippers 26-8 in the third quarter.
For the first time in franchise history, the Edmonton Rush are in championship game. Tonight in New York state, the Rush take on the Rochester Knighthawks for the 2012 Champion’s Cup (Shaw HD, 5:30pm).
Now I’m not a huge supporter of a team with a losing record in the regular season making the playoffs, as the Rush were 6-10 and in fourth place in the Western Division, but you have to give the team credit for getting hot at just the right time.
Tom Brady (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)
We are down to eight teams left now in the National Football League.
In the AFC, the New England Patriots (13-3) will host the Denver Broncos (8-8) this evening (CBS, 6pm) in the most anticipated game of the weekend.
Tebownmania is larger now than it ever has, and possibly ever will be. But the bottom line is how many championships in the NFL has Tim Tebow won? The answer is zero and he will be up against a quarterback that has won three Super Bowls, is a two-time MVP and is a seven-time Pro Bowler in Tom Brady. And oh yes, the Patriots hammered the Broncos 41-23 in Denver on December 18, as Brady threw for 320 yards, including 129 yards to underrated tight end Aaron Hernandez. I’m picking New England in a rout.
Tony Parker (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)
A lot of times when people analyze the NHL or NBA, they start with the East. But www.anysportanytime.ca is founded in the West, so I’m going to start with the West!
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies–
Spurs Top Three–Tony Parker 17.5 PPG, 6.6 APG; Emanuel Ginobili 17. 4 PPG, 4.9 APG; Tim Duncan 13.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG.
Grizzlies Top Three– Zach Randolph 20.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG; Mike Conley 13.7 PPG, 6.5 APG; Marc Gasol 11.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG.
Analysis: The Spurs come into the series as the hands on favourite, having won four NBA titles since 1999. The fact that 2011 is an odd year as well will help San Antonio because their four previous Championships came in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Gregg Popovich is as good of a coach as any in the entire NBA and has maximized the performance out of his players. The question in San Antonio is the health of Manu Ginobili, who injured his elbow in a meaningless game last night in Phoenix and is doubtful for Game One. This will be the fourth playoff appearance in franchise history for Memphis since moving from Vancouver in 2001. They have yet to win a playoff game, going 0-12 in the process. The X factor in the series is Randolph. The tenth year power forward has a criminal past dating back to his days in Portland, but seems to have everything under control now. Still the Spurs have the three best players and will win in six.
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