Preview: San Antonio Spurs Vs Memphis Grizzlies – Western Conference Finals, Game 4

May 25, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) celebrates with guards Manu Ginobili (20) Tony Parker (9) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in overtime against the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at FedEx Forum. San Antonio defeated Memphis 104-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

It’s GameDay San Antonio! For the second time in this years playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs are looking for another sweep.  If you have been living under a rock and not watching what is Spurs basketball, San Antonio dismantled the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0, the Golden State Warriors 4-2 and leading the Memphis Grizzlies 3-0.

Many did not think the San Antonio Spurs would even come close to winning this series with the Memphis Grizzlies.  Most though they would lost in six.  Boy have things turned for them and surely they are all back-tracking on their statements some how, that is usually how it goes right?

Go ahead and call the San Antonio Spurs old. They’re also experienced enough to know what to do only a win away from their first NBA Finals berth since 2007.

The Spurs wasted a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference final a year ago when Oklahoma City won four straight games.

May 25, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) shoots the ball in game three of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

They know time is running out for their current Big Three, featuring the 37-year-old Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili along with coach Gregg Popovich. The franchise is in its 16th straight postseason has four NBA titles but hasn’t played in the Finals since 2007 at a time when Ginobili recalls the Spurs were being called old even then.

San Antonio are up 3-0 after rallying from an 18-point deficit in the first quarter Saturday night and winning 104-93 in overtime. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili took turns scoring points in the fourth quarter and beyond after the Spurs played so ugly in the first 12 minutes that Ginobili said Sunday he still wasn’t sure how they won.

It certainly didn’t hurt that the Spurs had a three-day layoff between Games 2 and 3 with both going to overtime. If they win Game 4 on Monday night and sweep the Grizzlies on out of the postseason, the Spurs can rest up until Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off June 6.

Tony Parker tells NBA.Com that them wanting to finish the series early, is for many different reasons.  More importantly, rest.

“We want to finish as soon as we can for a lot of different reasons,” Parker said. “I think that we should give them no hope, and it’s always sweet to win on the road. I’m pretty sure the whole team understands that we have to keep taking nothing for granted and keep playing our game and try to finish tomorrow.

These past two games have got to be a preview of what we would see in the finals for one Tim Duncan.  Games two and three went into overtime and Duncan took over.  In game three, the Spurs scored just 13 points in the first quarter.   Every quarter after that, the Spurs owned.  Also, overtime, or a I like to call it, Duncan Takeover.  The Spurs outscored the Grizzlies 18-7 in overtime as he scored 7 to pace them to a victory and a reason they hold a 3-0 lead and looking for their sweep.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Point GuardsTony Parker  –  Mike ConleyShooting GuardsDaniel Green  –  Tony AllenSmall ForwardsKawhi Leonard  –  Tayshaun PrincePower ForwardsTim Duncan  –  Zach RandolphCentersTiago Splitter  –  Marc Gasol

Key Bench PlayersManu Ginobili, Boris Diaw, Cory Joseph  –  Jerryd Bayless, Quincy Pondexter, Darrell Arthur

Head CoachesGregg Popovich  –  Lionel Hollins

GAME AND BROADCAST INFORMATIONWhen: Monday, May 27th, 2013 at 8:00 P.M. CSTWhere: Fed Ex Forum – Memphis, TennesseeTelevision: ESPN (National) Radio: 1200 AM WOAI (Local)

SERIES AT A GLANCESPURS LEAD 3-0

Game 1 in San Antonio: Spurs win: 105-83 | AA Recap | Box ScoreGame 2 in San Antonio: Spurs win: 93-89 | AA Recap  | Box ScoreGame 3 in Memphis: Saturday, May 25 | AA Recap | Box ScoreGame 4 in Memphis: Monday, May 27Game 5 in San Antonio: Wednesday, May 29Game 6 in Memphis: Friday, May 31Game 7 in San Antonio: Sunday, June 2

For perspective on the Memphis Grizzlies, head over to Fansided’s own Beale Street Bears.