The NBA Playoffs continue on Saturday, but the Western Conference Finals begin Sunday with the Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs. Here are the dates and times of all the games as these two teams hook up for a chance to represent the West in the NBA Finals.
For the second year in a row the Spurs are attempting to enter the NBA Finals. Last season the Oklahoma City Thunder got in their way after the Spurs had a, what seemed to be secure, 2-0 lead in their series. The Thunder are no longer contending as the Grizzlies stepped up and erased OKC from the playoffs. It's the Western Conference No. 2 vs. No. 5.
Western Conference Finals Schedule:
Grizzlies @ San Antonio Spurs- Game 1: Sunday, May 19- 3:30 p.m. ET
Grizzlies @ San Antonio Spurs- Game 2: Tuesday, May 21- 9 p.m. ET
Spurs@ Memphis Grizzlies- Game 3: Saturday, May 25- 9 p.m. ET
Spurs@ Memphis Grizzlies- Game 4: Monday, May 27- 9 p.m. ET
Grizzlies@ San Antonio Spurs- Game 5: Wednesday, May 29- IF NECESSARY
Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies- Game 6: Friday, May 31- IF NECESSARY
Grizzles@ San Antonio Spurs- Game 7: Sunday, June 2- IF NECESSARY
Of course, they won't schedule the times of the final three games, just in case one team comes out and sweeps the other. If anybody is going to get a sweep, surprisingly, it would be the Grizzlies. They have the length, speed and good enough bench players to keep a lead secure or get the starters a lead if necessary.
The Grizzlies are undefeated at home, which presents a problem for the Spurs since Memphis has been able to play well on the road. In the first round, they lost the first two games, but they woke up in Game 2 and almost defeated the Los Angeles Clippers. It took a miraculous performance from Chris Paul to get the Clippers the victory. The Grizzlies went on to win the next four games to close out the series and they are winners of eight of their last nine games as they put the Thunder away in five games.
The Spurs had some trouble putting away the Golden State Warriors, but their defense proved capable after shutting down a younger and more athletic inexperienced team. Though the Grizzlies aren't a very successful team in the past, the Spurs should be in for a good battle as they will have a hard time matching up with the Grizzlies length and strength in the paint.
Here's the predictions for this series.
