2016 Western Conference Playoffs, First Round
San Antonio 116, Memphis 95
Spurs win series 4-0

It took a half for the team to wake up for the early tip, but once they did, they finished their job and put the series to rest.

This was about as inevitable as playoff series come. Everybody – and I mean everybody – knew the Spurs were taking this series. Most even predicted a sweep. Memphis winning one game in this series would have been mildly upsetting. Hell, Memphis being up – at home – after three quarters in Game 3 was a bit shocking to most.

As Pop said afterwards: it wasn’t a fair fight. But as he went on to say, all credit to Memphis. They could have easily rolled over and conceded the series, but they fought as hard as they could and played to the best of their abilities. It took about 15 quarters of basketball before the final concession.

Because of that doggedness and fight, this was a dream first round for the Spurs. Get the easy wins, finish it off in four games, but have every game be physical and hard fought, be forced to execute on both ends of the floor. Then, when it’s over, get a week off for rest. They were able to stay sharp and focused without getting overextended or pushed too hard too early.

Now we wait. The series against the Thunder starts on Saturday.

We’ll get to the next series eventually. In the meantime, the Spurs get to practice, rest, and prepare, while the Clippers get tested by a resolute Blazers team, and the Warriors perhaps face the most questions with a potentially serious Curry injury.

Enjoy the week off and root for tough playoff games out West while the Spurs get rested and ready.

Go Spurs Go.