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NBA Playoffs schedule 2013: Warriors host Spurs with both teams worried about point guards

2013-05-12T14:00:09Z

In Sunday's only 2013 NBA Playoffs game, the Golden State Warriors host the San Antonio Spurs at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC hoping to avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series.

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Both teams enter the game concerned about their point guards. The Spurs' Tony Parker was slowed in Game 3 by a bruised calf. Stephen Curry of the Warriors, who has dealt with ankle problems throughout his career, injured his left ankle in Game 3. X-rays on Curry's ankle were negative.

Parker said that he'd start in Game 4, while Curry will be a game-time decision for the Warriors.

After splitting the first two games in San Antonio, the Spurs won Game 3 in Oakland thanks to 32 points from Parker and a better defensive effort. The Warriors shot just 39 percent in that game after shooting 51 percent and 45 percent in the first two games.

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Kevin Durant already doing everything for the Thunder, can he do more?

2013-05-12T13:30:07Z

The Oklahoma City Thunder certainly aren't trailing 2-1 in their second-round series with the Memphis Grizzlies because of anything Kevin Durant has or hasn't done.

More: Grizzly Bear Blues Welcome to Loud City NBA Playoffs Coverage

In three games, Durant is averaging 33 points on 50 percent shooting. He's also averaging 12 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block per game against Memphis. As Durant has taken on more responsibility since Russell Westbrook's injury and several of Oklahoma City's key rotation players have struggled in the playoffs, the makeup of the team reminds at least one writer of LeBron James' early years.

"Without a second dependable scorer, Oklahoma City's offense looks broken, disjointed and one-dimensional," wrote Sean Highkin of USA Today. "It recalls LeBron James' last several years in Cleveland, when he dragged several mediocre Cavaliers teams deep into the playoffs almost singlehandedly."

One-dimensional or not, as Highkin notes, James was able to take those Cleveland teams on impressive playoff runs, including a NBA Finals appearance and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. Could Durant lead the Thunder to a similar feat? It's certainly possible despite the team trailing 2-1.

The Grizzlies have not shot well in the series, hitting 43, 42 and 40 percent respectively in the three games. Zach Randolph, the team's leading scorer in the regular season, has struggled offensively in the series, shooting just 17-for-40. And Oklahoma City's losses were both close games that, with a break here or there, the Thunder would've had chances to win late.

The close nature of these games actually fits into one of Durant's greatest strengths as a player -- his ability to hit big shots late.

"It'd be hard to come up with a list of guys you'd want taking a last second shot over Kevin Durant and Derek Fisher," writes Thunder blog Welcome to Loud City. "Both of these guys are just unbelievable at hitting shots when it really matters, and that's going to matter in this series. Granted, Kevin Durant has seen his performance suffer when he plays for too many minutes, but he's overcome the exhaustion before."

In two straight losses, despite playing poorly, the Thunder have done nearly enough to give Durant those last-second opportunities. If Oklahoma City continues keeping games close, it's possible Durant can do even more than he already has by winning a game late.

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NBA playoff scores: Grizzlies, Pacers grind out wins at home

2013-05-12T11:51:28Z

The Memphis Grizzlies held the Oklahoma City Thunder to 36 percent shooting in an 87-81 Game 3 win Saturday in Memphis, giving the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead in the second-round series.

More: Grizzly Bear Blues Welcome to Loud City NBA Playoffs Coverage

Kevin Durant scored 25 points on 9-of-19 shooting, but Memphis effectively defended two other key players for the Thunder, forcing Kevin Martin and Serge Ibaka into poor shooting performances. Martin, one of the top sixth men in the league this season, scored 13 points but shot just 6-of-17. Ibaka also scored 13 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

The defensive effort was led by Tony Allen, who guarded several Thunder players effectively. Allen finished with 14 points, five rebounds and two steals.

Marc Gasol led Memphis with 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, and Mike Conley had 14 points and six assists. Zach Randolph was held to just eight points.

Indiana Pacers 82, New York Knicks 71

Both teams shot 35 percent in Saturday's Game 3 battle eventually won by Indiana, giving the Pacers a 2-1 series lead.

The Pacers enjoyed a significant advantage from the three-point line in a game where both teams shot poorly. Indiana shot just 30 percent from beyond the arc, but the team's 10 makes compared to just three three-pointers for the Knicks was a major difference offensively.

Roy Hibbert led the Pacers with 24 points and 12 rebounds and was the most productive player on either team. Indiana guards George Hill and Paul George combined for 31 points, but also shot just 9-of-33.

Carmelo Anthony was the only Knicks player in double figures with 21 points on 6-of-16 shooting.

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