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Banged-up Clippers visit rested Spurs for Game 1

May 15, 2012 - 2:44 PM (Sports Network) - The storyline was going to be an easy one -- redemption.

The San Antonio Spurs, the top seed in the West for the second consecutive season, were going to get their chance at revenge against a Memphis team that unceremoniously knocked them out of the playoffs in the first round last year.

Chris Paul and the Clippers, however, had other ideas, becoming just the 22nd team since 1948 to win a Game 7 on the road, defeating the Grizzlies 82-72 on Sunday.

So, it's that bruised and battered "other team" from Los Angeles headed to the Alamo City for the Western Conference semifinals after the franchise's first Game 7 win and just its third playoff series victory in a 42-year history.

Paul, despite a balky hip, set the pace in the clincher against the Grizzlies with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in what was an extremely physical Game 7.

"We just played with heart," Clippers guard Randy Foye said. "It was do or die, and we knew it was do or die and we came in and we handled our business."

With Blake Griffin limited due to a sprained left knee, the Clippers' reserves were critical down the stretch, posting all but two of the team's 27 fourth quarter points. Kenyon Martin, Mo Williams and Nick Young combined to finish with 33 points and 12 rebounds.

"Our bench is the MVP of this series," Foye said. "Even when we [starters] came out played well, they still came out and continued to change the tempo with Eric Bledsoe, Mo Williams making shots, Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans playing defense and rebounding. Our bench won this series for us."

Down in South Texas, there was no embarrassing first-round exit for the Spurs this time around.

A year after its spectacular collapse to the Grizzlies, San Antonio looked like a machine in the Western Conference quarterfinals, completing a sweep of the overmatched Utah Jazz with an 87-81 victory at EnergySolutions Arena back on May 7.

"We didn't lose our composure. That was great. We used the clock when we could. We took advantage of plays when we had to and found a way to close it out," Spurs star Tim Duncan said.

San Antonio was especially dominant in the paint against Utah. After outscoring the Jazz 58-44 inside during Game 1, the Spurs followed it up by doubling up Utah 62-36 in Game 2, matching a franchise playoff-high. Game 3 was more of the same with San Antonio holding a 50-28 scoring advantage in the paint. The Jazz finally had an edge (34-30) in Game 4 but by then it was too late.

Another key has been the Spurs' experience. Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have now played 126 playoff games as teammates, the most among any active trio in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Game 4 victory was the 112th career postseason one for reigning NBA Coach of the Year Gregg Popovich, third all- time behind Phil Jackson (229) and Pat Riley (171).

Meanwhile, Duncan and coach Popovich have experienced 180 playoff games together over 15 seasons and will set a new NBA record tonight for the most postseason games by a player/coach tandem. They are currently deadlocked with Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson.

"They know that if they just stick with each other and the system that often times things are going to turn your way," Popovich said of his star trio. "That experience they have gained over a long period of time and I guess they feel comfortable with each other when they're in a tough environment."

Griffin is playing at about 75 or 80 percent but has said he will play in Game 1, although his coach Vinny Del Negro has left open the possibility of sitting the dynamic power forward since the Clippers will be playing for the sixth time in 11 days.

"I don't know yet," Del Negro said Monday when asked if his All-Star would play. "I'll make that decision tomorrow after shootaround, after I talk to the trainer."

San Antonio, which has won 14 straight games dating back to the regular season and has had eight days off since topping Utah, took two of three from the Clippers in 2011-12. The lone L.A. win came in the Alamo City on March 9 but Popovich rested Duncan, Parker and Ginobili in that contest.

These two clubs have never met in the postseason previously.