By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The San Antonio Spurs marched into the Western Conference semifinals after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 116 – 95 ending the series with an impressive 4-0 sweep.
Defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard finished the game with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Tony Parker added 16 points, while the rest of the team’s European players, Boban Marjanovic and Boris Diaw dropped 8 and 7 points respectively.
“It wasn’t a fair fight,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of playing a team that set an NBA record with 28 Grizzlies playing this season. “Whoever was available came out and played, and they executed to the best of their ability. They played with a lot of heart and a lot of fortitude.”
The Spurs finished off their ninth sweep of a postseason series in franchise history, their third against the Grizzlies. San Antonio also swept Memphis in the 2004 first round and the 2013 Western Conference finals.
“They play very physical, so it’s a good test for the next round,” Spurs guard Tony Parker said.