San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan waits in a hotel elevator after talking with reporters Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Memphis, Tenn. The Spurs lead their first-round NBA basketball playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies 3-0. AP
MEMPHIS, Tennessee—The San Antonio Spurs know finishing off a playoff series is challenging. Being a win away from sweeping an opponent is even harder.
The Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers are on the verge of advancing in in the postseason and setting themselves up for a little extra rest.
The Spurs can cap off their fifth series sweep in the past five postseasons Sunday, and their second in that stretch against Memphis. San Antonio hasn’t swept a first-round series since ousting the Lakers in 2013, and the Spurs’ last sweep came against these Grizzlies in the 2013 Western Conference finals.
“This is the hardest, especially on the road,” Spurs guard Tony Parker said Saturday of completing a sweep.
The Cavaliers can also knock out feisty Detroit.
Golden State seems to be in total control against Houston, but the Warriors are up 2-1 against the Rockets. There has been a lot of talk about the NBA’s announcement that James Harden should have been whistled for an offensive foul on his game-winner in Game 3. But despite the chatter, the Rockets can even the series with a win at home.
The Boston Celtics are also looking to even their series against the Atlanta Hawks, though they may need another Herculean effort from Isaiah Thomas.