Tim Duncan on Grizzlies: ‘They’ve Outplayed Us in Every Facet’

Following a miserable team and individual performance in Game 4 (just 6 points and 7 boards, on his 35th birthday), Tim Duncan knows his team is in major trouble, but maintains a sense of hope. From the Commercial Appeal: “The first three games, we tried not to gamble as much,’ said Griz point guard Mike Conley, who had 15 points and seven assists Monday. ‘We love to gamble, play the passing lanes and get deflections. But it got to the point where we’ve studied them enough to where we can go out aggressive and be loose.’ So much so that with the Grizzlies leading 94-74 with 5:43 left to play, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sent up the white flag. He pulled his entire starting lineup, resting his starters for another day. ‘We were down 20 points and we weren’t making shots,’ said Spurs’ center Tim Duncan. ‘(The Grizzlies) really have it dialed in. They got a game plan that’s working and they are sticking to it. They are being ultra-aggressive and we’re not making shots to make them pay for it. From top to bottom, they’ve outplayed us in every facet.’ … But Duncan is still keeping the faith that the Spurs, one game away from elimination, aren’t dead heading home to San Antonio for Wednesday’s Game 5. ‘It’s an old cliché, got to take it one game at a time,’ Duncan said. ‘We’ll go home, then step back in this building (assuming the Spurs win Game 5 to force Game 6) and figure it out.'”