ESPN

San Antonio's smothering defense on Zach Randolph worked to perfection in Game 1 as the Spurs clogged the middle and dared the Grizzlies to fire away from the perimeter. One player on Memphis who took advantage, though, was reserve forward Quincy Pondexter.

Will Pondexter's team-high 17 points, which included 5 three-pointers, help him move into the starting lineup tonight? There's reason to believe it could.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Though his four-year, $19.5 million deal was greatly trumped by that given to fellow DE Mario Williams by the Buffalo Bills last offseason, Mark Anderson was seen as a substantial free agent flop in 2012, as he played in just five games before a season-ending knee injury. There was some thought that the Bills would cut ties this offseason, but have elected to move forward with him instead. However, it could be a make-or-break campaign for the man who managed double-digit sacks for the Patriots in 2011.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

With contending clubs such as the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox running into injury problems with their bullpens, one expectation is for them to hit the trade market and seek such a fix. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com asked one executive how that market is looking: "Non-existent," was part of the response.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

As long as Eric Gordon is in New Orleans, trade talk could very well follow him. It's no secret that Gordon was unhappy when the team matched Phoenix's offer last summer, ensuring that Gordon would be back in a New Orleans uniform. Today, one report shoots down the the latest trade whispers that involved Gordon heading to Boston for Avery Bradley.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

One of the biggest question marks -- both figuratively and literally -- surrounding USC's offense the past year and a half is who would man the blindside. Aundrey Walker has held down the left tackle position during the aforementioned time, but USC has never appeared truly happy with his performance. And the questions swirling around Walker will continue into fall camp.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Though the engine of the Jacksonville Jaguars' offense will likely be the running game -- provided that Maurice Jones-Drew is healthy enough to handle the rigors of being the club's lead RB -- 2013 is an important season for the team and for Blaine Gabbert. Despite rumors in the pre-draft season that the club was considering taking a QB at No. 2 overall (and again in the second round), the team is now reportedly looking to see what the Missouri product can do before potentially making an addition next offseason. With the club having been through a round of OTAs, it's time to take the temperature of the situation again.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The Seattle Mariners may have endured a lost weekend with three straight losses in Cleveland, but the club has managed to remain around the .500 mark this season, which should be considered a surprise. In fact, ESPN Insider’s Jim Bowden wrote last week that the Mariners have what it takes to remain in the race for a wild card berth.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

It isn't as though Memphis doesn't know how to come from behind to win a series. They did it against the Los Angeles Clippers, though Blake Griffin's injury certainly made it easier for the Grizzlies to do so.

But the San Antonio Spurs are a different animal. One with three future Hall of Fame players and a one future Hall of Fame coach. History shows that falling behind 0-2 against the Spurs would give the Grizzlies little better than a 6 percent chance to win the series.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

While the Baltimore Ravens were able to secure their franchise QB to a new long-term deal this offseason, they said goodbye to one of his favorite targets, No. 2 WR Anquan Boldin. Replacing Boldin in the spot opposite Torrey Smith may wind up being accomplished with a committee approach, but there is a case to be made for some of the individuals on their own merits.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The New York Mets appear to have a bright future overall, starting with All-Star third baseman David Wright and right-hander Matt Harvey. The club also boasts one of the top pitching prospects in baseball in Zack Wheeler, who could make his big-league debut sometime in 2013. Once position that's up in the air moving forward -- even in the present tense -- is first base.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Last month, Arizona freshman Grant Jerrett raised more than a few eyebrows when he declared for the NBA draft after a disappointing season where he averaged just 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. Jerrett, as you know, was a top 10 recruit in 2012 who failed to make a huge impact and just like that, he was gone.

Going pro seemed a little far-fetched at the time, but following an impressive shooting display at the NBA Draft Combine, that sentiment may have changed. Here's the latest on Jerrett and where he could be picked on draft day.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Stash this note in the "good problem to have" department. With the signing of Wes Welker this offseason, the Denver Broncos provided another elite weapon for Peyton Manning's usage, and one wonders how No. 18 is going to manage to keep all of his targets happy this season (Demaryius Thomas had 94 catches in 2012, while Eric Decker added 85).

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

There are always ups and downs in baseball and just as there are struggling hitters this month, some have hit their stride and are putting up gaudy numbers over the first three weeks of May. Let's take a look at five of the hottest bats in the sport. Three of them are household names, but the other two may surprise, including the top name.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

By using multiple high draft picks on the defensive tackle position this offseason, the Carolina Panthers are operating with the belief that a solid front line of the defense will be able to make up for issues in the defensive backfield. As of now, there are a lot of questions back there.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider