The Memphis Grizzlies were questioned about where or not they were "tanking" in the final few games of the regualr season because if they finished as the 8th seed in the Western Conference they would draw the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. "Who would do that" you ask. Head Coach Lionel Hollins (who became the franchise's all-time winningest coach this season) denied doing it but as is the case in the playoffs it's about matchups and Hollin's had to have known that is 8th seed Grizzlies matched up well with the one seeded Spurs. Hollins and his players went down in the history books in the first game by defeating the Spurs for the franchies first ever playoff win. The Grizz weren't done there as they made more franchise history while adding a chapter to NBA History.
The Grizzlies defeated the Spurs 4-2 in the first round series for their first ever franchise playoff series win and became only the fourth eigth-seed to defeat the one-seed in playoff history. Since the NBA expanded the first round series to seven games in 2003, the Golden State Warriors in 2007 were the only eight-seed to defeat the one-seed in the first round. The Denver Nuggets (defeated Seattle Supersonics 3-2in 1994) and New York Knicks (defeated Miami Heat 3-2 in 1999) accomplished the feat in a five game first round series.
Save a Gary Neal game tying three-pointer in Game 5- Memphis would have been the first ever eight-seed to defeat the one-seed in 5 games, but that didn't happen.
Beale Street has never seen basketball in May but that will change come Saturday night. What a way for a franchise to celebrate their 10th Anniversary in their current city. The Grizz moved to Memphis from Vancouver Canada after the 2000-2001 season. Prior to this years playoffs the Grizzlies were last in the playoffs in 2006 and made three consectuive playoff appearances from the 2003-2004 season to the 2005-2006 season.
