NBA Playoffs: How the Grizzles ousted the Spurs

Zach Randolph isn't as tall as 3 Spurs, and usually, he will get out-rebounded by them. Same with Marc Gasol. So how did those 2, plus the rest of the team, rack up 11 more rebounds than the taller Spurs?

Intensity, determination, and sense of victory.

Memphis beat San Antonio 99-91, using 31 points and 11 rebounds from Zach Randolph to win the game and the series, becoming only the second eighth seed in the Best of Seven series to win. The Grizzles take on OKC in the next round.

Memphis shot much better from the field, and by grabbing the rebounds, they got enough opportunities. Screw the turnovers. Screw the assists. Screw the blocks. Memphis got exactly enough to put the series away.

San Antonio has more size, and enough guys who can easily grab rebounds. But Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph totaling three-fourths of the total Spurs rebounds is unacceptable. Age has really been a factor, and the physical element San Antonio lacks has not made any of this easier.

The Spurs struggled at the end of the season, and only won two games against the Grizzles. Overall, San Antonio was 0-5 at FedEx Forum, and 1-4 at home. Unfortunately, the one home loss was enough to send the Spurs packing.

Age was a huge factor in the series, mainly because Tim Duncan couldn't do as much as he needed to do, and Tony Parker and Manu Ginolbli were on and off. Most of the time, they were on, but it wasn't enough.

Shane Battier made some clutch plays during the series, and while he did nothing much in Game 6, he made the game-winning three in Game 1. Grevis Vasquez, Darrell Arthur, and O.J Mayo made enough contributions for the Grizzles to win.

Memphis will have trouble with the younger, more athletic Thunder, but they can handle OKC. Although I predict the Thunder to knock out Memphis in 6, it will be a close, hard-fought series.

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