The four-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs made a statement in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals with a 104-93 victory in Memphis.
That statement might as well have been one of those old clichés like “never underestimate the heart of a champion.”
Spurs—new and old—expressed their enthusiasm on Twitter after the game.
After falling behind Memphis by as much as 18 points early in the first half, the Spurs showed the type of resilience often reserved for savvy veterans. They fought back, and by halftime the Grizzlies lead had shrunk to a meager four points.
They continued to chip away at the Memphis lead, narrowing the difference to only one by the end of the 3rd quarter, eventually taking a marginal lead of their own before a missed free throw by Tony Allen left the game tied near the end of regulation.
Overtime was all San Antonio.
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In the final five minutes, the Spurs demonstrated the efficiency and execution that comes with age and superior coaching. They shot 8-of-10 from the field, outscoring the Grizzlies 18-7 in the extra frame.
Starting shooting guard Danny Green had a rough night shooting (1-of-5 from three) but found other ways to contribute, collecting six rebounds, one steal and one block. He also had three assists, two of which came with his only three-point make in the fourth quarter.
While the meaning of his tweet can only be inferred, it seems pretty obvious what he’s referring to. After getting a 3-0 edge in the Western Conference Finals, tonight’s win puts the Spurs five victories short of their fifth championship.
Coincidentally, No. 5 on the San Antonio roster, Cory Joseph—who played only eight minutes, missed his only attempted field goal and committed two turnovers—was also on Twitter after the game.
In an interview following the game, Manu Ginobili said tonight’s victory was, “one of the best wins I’ve witnessed being a Spur.”
Quite an impressive statement, considering Manu has been involved in three NBA Championships with the Spurs. It goes to show the level of respect that San Antonio has for the Memphis Grizzlies.
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