The Memphis Grizzlies will look to bounce back from an 0-2 deficit as they host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals at FedEx Forum on Saturday night. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN, ESPN3.com and here.
The Grizzlies will have to stay true to the moniker displayed on the thousands towels held by fans at their home arena: "Believe Memphis."
The slogan first printed on giveaway towels for fans in the 2011 playoffs, which they held up instead of waving, trying to will the Grizzlies to victory late in a game against Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies won that game in overtime and the catch-phrase since became a catch-phrase for the gritty, small market team.
"We're down 0-2 and we've got to take care of home just like they took care of home," Grizzlies guard Tony Allen told ESPN on Friday. "Simple as that."
Both teams have seen this scenario before. Memphis has trailed at one point in each series during the 2013 postseason. The Grizzlies bounced back from an 0-2 deficit in their opening round series against the Los Angeles Clippers before winning four straight games to advance.
The Spurs held a 2-0 advantage over the Oklahoma City Thunder last season before a disappointing collapse. San Antonio would lose the following four games as the Thunder advanced to face Miami in last year's NBA Finals.
The Grizzlies' confidence stems from a return to the arena they call the "Grindhouse." They set a franchise record winning 32 games there this season, and they are 19-1 at FedEx Forum since Feb. 8. Memphis also had lost three straight only twice this season, the last in mid-January.
The series took a three-day break after the Spurs won 93-89 in overtime Tuesday night in Game 2. The Grizzlies took off Wednesday after flying home and practiced Thursday and Friday. San Antonio practiced Wednesday and Thursday before taking off Friday.
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