NBA playoff scores 2016: Not only can the Spurs grind, they can run you out of the gym

The Spurs dominated the Grizzlies to take a 2-0 series lead on the same night that the Hawks defense stifled the Celtics in Game 2.

by Liam Boylan-Pett

Apr 20, 2016, 12:00 PM UTC

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs are steady, whether it's making the playoffs for 19 consecutive seasons or winning five titles in that span. It shows on the court, too, where San Antonio squads are a consistent bunch, playing a crisp, exacting style that wears down opponents.

This year's version of the Spurs is one of the best ever. They're showing how championship-ready they are against the injury-depleted Memphis Grizzlies in their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Spurs dominated Game 2 on Tuesday, winning 94-68 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. They're handling the Grizzlies by playing the same sort of basketball that built their dynasty.

The Spurs showed that, along with playing consistent basketball, they can also run opponents off the court. They have the tools to win in a number of different ways, and it's the reason they're expected to give the Golden State Warriors all they can handle as long as both teams advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Against the Grizzlies, the Spurs have shown the ability to not only grind, but to throw up points in bunches. They ended the first quarter on a 9-0 run. Then, after letting the Grizzlies climb back to within six in the second quarter, they spouted off a 17-5 run. From there, the Spurs extended the lead again and again with scoring spurts.

The usual suspects like Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan always produce, but the Spurs also have high-energy scorers like Patty Mills -- who led the Spurs in scoring with 16 points on Tuesday -- coming off the bench. Those components combine for beautiful basketball.

That ball movement tho... pic.twitter.com/MV3iLY8wNC
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 20, 2016

The early Tim Duncan Spurs were thought to be boring, but there’s no denying just how much fun the later 2000s and 2010s teams have been. They haven’t lost that defensive prowess that defined the early 2000s, but now they pack a scoring punch. That’s what makes the Spurs so great.

It’s also why a potential series between the Spurs and the Warriors is so enticing. The Spurs seemingly have the ability to run with the Warriors, but they had their most success when forcing the Warriors to match their pace.

There’s one possible problem for the Spurs, however. The Warriors can grind, too. Barring injury or a major upset, the Western Conference Finals can’t come soon enough.

1 other thing

The Atlanta Hawks defense separates them from last year's team

Sure, the Boston Celtics could have used Avery Bradley, but the Hawks defense was stifling Tuesday. It held the Celtics to an NBA playoff-record low seven first quarter points and never let up en route to an 89-72 win.

The Hawks had the second-best defensive rating in the NBA behind the Spurs this season, giving up 98.8 points per 100 possessions. It was even better down the stretch of the season -- the Hawks had a league-best defensive rating of 96.8 after the All-Star Game. Last year, the Hawks’ defensive rating was 100.7 and it jumped up to 101.5 after the All-Star break. Not only is this year’s team playing better defense, it’s improving.

The Hawks limped into the playoffs last season, but have sprinted through the first two games this postseason. As long as they hold serve and take care of the injury-depleted Celtics to advance to the second round, they'll have a chance for redemption against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swept them in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2015. With a defense that's holding its own, the Hawks are much better equipped to challenge the Cavs this season.