Game Thread: San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies

Yesterday at 09:00 PM

If San Antonio can play two competitive halves of basketball, they can split the series with Memphis

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Wednesday night's game was a tale of two halves, and they second one was a horror show, as the Spurs let the Grizzlies walk all over them and outscore them 78-52 in the final 24 minutes. The Silver and Black will have to play better defense tonight to even up the series, and it starts with getting back on defense and stopping the ball.

Playing the same team back to back is like a mini playoff series, and the Spurs split the series the last time this happened, against the Nuggets on January 3-4, although that series involved travel and a back-to-back, so maybe it's not that similar. The Spur need to adjust and try to limit Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jason Bane in addition to Ja Morant. Morant is listed as questionable with foot soreness, but I would be surprised if he doesn't play tonight, because he has always played well against the Spurs. Devin Vassell has been inconsistent this year, and he needs to improve on his defense in tonight's contest. Victor Wembanyama has looked tired at the end of games, and Mitch Johnson needs to figure out how to manage rotations to keep him fresh while keeping the opponent from crushing the bench. Maybe Blake Wesley will have to be unglued from the bench in a non-garbage time situation?

The Spurs will be in Paris next week, but they still have tonight's game and a game at the Miami Heat on Sunday before they travel to France, and they don't want to overlook those games before they go the City of Lights. Let's go Spurs!

Game Prediction:

Unlike Wednesday's game, Victor Wembanyama will not be assessed a foul in the first second of play. Mitch Johnson will almost get a technical foul for sarcastic clapping.

One final word:

Go Spurs GOOOOOO!!

San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies
January 17, 2025 | 8:30 PM CT
Streaming: League Pass
TV: ESPN, Fanduel Sports Southwest

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