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NBA Playoffs 2013, Grizzlies vs. Spurs Game 2: Time, TV schedule, odds and more

2013-05-21T22:00:06Z

The Memphis Grizzlies are a team of veterans, but they've never been here before. Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince have won NBA titles, Marc Gasol has played for Olympic gold medals, and Mike Conley led his Buckeyes to an NCAA title game in his only college season. But together, for this group, Tuesday stands as a unique hurdle.

For more on this series, visit: Grizzly Bear Blues Pounding the Rock

Trailing 1-0 to the experienced, cold-blooded San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, the Grizzlies need to come together like never before. For players who have seen so much success in the past, Game 2 awaits with one question looming to be answered above all else. Are these Grizzlies for real?

The best players on this Spurs team have been to the NBA Finals on three occasions, winning each time. The Grizzlies are the furthest they've ever been in the postseason, a team that's finally found the right combination behind a group of players that's had many successes across basketball's vast landscape.

But a history of winning stands in Memphis' way, and following a 105-83 beatdown in the first game of the series, their season comes to a breaking point Tuesday.

In order for one group of veterans to unseat another, it'll take a much better performance than Memphis gave the first time around. Entering Game 2, a few questions loom over this series and which team will ultimately represent the West in this year's Finals. Let's take a few minutes to break them down.

1. What's up with Zach Randolph?

The Grizzlies always win behind a true team effort, but that almost always demands a quality performance from power forward Zach Randolph. A guy that can score on practically anyone with his loopy array of post moves, he was effectively shut down in Game 1 by the Spurs' big guys. Z-Bo isn't the athlete he once was, but Memphis can't afford for him to repeat the two-point, seven-rebound effort he gave in the opening game of the series.

2. Can Spurs keep shooting like this?

More than anything, San Antonio shot its way to victory in Game 1. With quality spacing and execution leading to numerous open shots, the Spurs just kept filling the basket to a degree Memphis couldn't match. The Grizzlies are a team built on defense, and while Quincy Pondexter knocked down five treys in the opening game, they simply can't keep up with a red-hot San Antonio. Should the Spurs stay this scorching for the majority of the series, it will be difficult for Memphis to keep up.

3. Will Memphis capitalize in the paint?

Even as the Spurs rained threes and Randolph struggled, the Grizzlies still managed to finish the game with a 35-33 advantage on the boards. Other than Tim Duncan, who grabbed 10 rebounds, nobody on the team grabbed more than five missed shots. San Antonio's other big men -- Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair -- combined for just five rebounds in 60 minutes of playing time. If the shots aren't falling and Memphis continued to dominate the boards, the Spurs won't glide through this series.

Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
TV: ESPN
Odds: Spurs favored by 5.5 points

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Nets, Clippers could be targeting Lionel Hollins as next coach

2013-05-20T22:54:29Z

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins may still be leading his team through the postseason this week, but that hasn't stopped two teams from showing interest in his services. Both the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers could be suitors for his services this summer, according to a pair of reports.

With his contract set to expire following the season, Hollins could be a prime candidate for numerous coaching vacancies this offseason. Assuming teams are willing to wait until Memphis' playoff run ends to pursue the coach, it wouldn't be surprising if the Grizzlies had some competition in retaining him.

After spending big money to fill the roster entering this season, the Nets could conceivably make Hollins a lucrative contract offer this offseason. Gary Woeffel of the Racine Journal Times says Brooklyn is "honing in" on the Grizzlies coach, which could make for an intriguing battle between the two teams.

A small-market team like the Grizzlies could be hesitant to match the potentially large salary Brooklyn might offer, and the big-market Clippers could get into the mix as well.

While it's unclear what L.A. plans to do with current coach Vinny Del Negro, Clippers owner Donald Sterling was seen sitting first row at the Grizzlies' opening game against San Antonio last week. His intentions were uncertain, but ESPN's Marc Stein notes of a rumor going around that Sterling was there to scout Hollins in person.

If true, there could be quite the bidding war for Hollins' services this summer. In a world where player salaries are capped and coach salaries aren't, don't be surprised if Hollins gets a nice raise.

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Bobcats to announce name change to Hornets on Tuesday

2013-05-20T21:13:33Z

The Charlotte Bobcats have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday evening to announce their pending nickname change to the Hornets, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports. The news confirms last week's reports that the franchise would seek to restore Charlotte basketball to its former branding.

With the New Orleans Pelicans name change going into effect next season, speculation persisted regarding another re-branding in Charlotte. The Hornets nickname had been in New Orleans since the franchise moved there from Charlotte in 2002, but new ownership decided the team needed a new, local flavor.

That move put the pressure on the Bobcats to consider taking back the old Hornets nickname, which led to some public surveys by the franchise. Responses from the public were reportedly mixed, but the "Bring Back The Buzz" movement has consistently gained steam since the Pelicans move went official.

The current franchise in Charlotte has been known as the Bobcats after initial owner Robert (Bob) Johnson since its inception in 2004. Johnson sold his remaining shares in the team to current owner Michael Jordan in 2010 and the team has never quite endeared itself in the region due to a lack of success.

In the 1990s, the Charlotte Hornets reached the playoffs multiple times behind star players such as Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Glen Rice.

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George Hill injury: Pacers PG cleared to play Saturday vs. Knicks

2013-05-18T22:41:50Z

Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill will play in Saturday's Game 6 against the New York Knicks after being cleared by team physicians under the league's post-concussion policy, the club announced. It's likely Hill will return to his starting spot in Indiana's lineup for the potentially series-deciding game.

Staring at an opportunity to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers' offense should get a nice boost from Hill's return. The guard scored a team-high 26 points in Indiana's Game 4 victory, but also suffered a concussion at some point during the game.

That head injury kept him out of Game 5 as the league proceeded with its post-concussion policy, which required Hill to pass a series of tests before being cleared by doctors. He didn't successfully complete those tests until Saturday.

Without Hill, the Pacers struggled offensively with an opportunity to put away the Knicks, losing 85-75 on Thursday. The man replacing him, backup guard D.J. Augustin, finished that game with 12 points and zero assists in 39 minutes as Paul George was forced to take on a larger playmaking role.

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Mike Krzyzewski considering Team USA comeback

2013-05-18T21:40:40Z

Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski could return to his old role with USA Basketball for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, according to Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated. The two sides are deep in discussions about Coach K coaching the Americans once again as they look to defend their gold medal in Rio.

After winning gold with the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympics, Krzyzewski stepped down as head coach to usher in a new era of USA basketball. For nearly eight months, he was steadfast in his lack of interest at returning to the program, but his apparent change of heart indicates a likely reunion.

"I think it's very close to being resolved. That's all I can say for sure," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Saturday.

During his tenure with USA Basketball, Coach K posted a 62-1 record while returning the program to its past glory. Considering that Colangelo said he never even reached out to other candidates, it seems clear the Duke legend was always the top choice.

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Kendrick Perkins contract: Thunder not considering amnesty clause

2013-05-18T19:55:35Z

People may question his value, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are seemingly sticking with center Kendrick Perkins. Coming off a disappointing postseason run, Thunder GM Sam Presti says the team hasn't considered using the amnesty clause on Perkins, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman.

For many Thunder fans, this presumably comes as a bit of a disappointment. The embattled starting center of the team became a lightning rod for criticism the past few years as his production deteriorated in the eyes of most prominent analysts.

That hasn't stopped Presti from defending Perkins, who is owed $18.63 million over the next two seasons. "We think Perk has a lot of value to our team," the GM told Mayberry.

Given how much money the franchise has tied up in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, getting Perkins' contract off the books would the easiest way for OKC to open up some cap flexibility. Using the amnesty clause wouldn't save the team all that much money, but it would help cut the team's cap number and potentially avoid the luxury tax.

Starting 78 games this season, Perkins averaged 4.2 points and six rebounds in 25.1 minutes per contest. His 8.2 PER was the worst of his career, but the franchise continues to emphasize the value he provides on the defensive end.

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Tyson Chandler injury: Knicks center has taped wrist, says he'll be 'fine'

2013-05-18T19:30:09Z

Adding to his list of physical ailments, New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler will play through a wrist injury in Saturday's Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers, Ian Begley of ESPN New York reports. Tape covered the big man's wrist as he spoke with media in the morning.

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For Chandler, this is just the latest injury he'll have to play through this offseason. Already dealing with knee and back injuries sustained in the Knicks' Game 5 victory, he insisted Saturday morning he's "fine" but it's reasonable to wonder how he'll play considering the issues he's already had this postseason.

After averaging a double-double during the regular season, Chandler has put up six points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 11 postseason contests this year. His presence on the offensive end has been minimal, but New York can hardly afford to lose his post presence on the other end of the court.

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