Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs Game Preview

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (41-27, 13-22 away) at San Antonio Spurs (18-51, 12-51 home)

WHEN: 7:00 PM CT

WHERE: AT&T Center — San Antonio, TX

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: Bally Sports Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Steven Adams (Out – RT Knee PCL Sprain), Brandon Clarke (Out – LT Achilles tear), Ja Morant (Out – Suspension), Vince Williams Jr. (Out, Shoulder), Jake LaRavia (Out, Back)

SAN ANTONIO:

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

MEMPHIS: Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman

SAN ANTONIO: Devonte Graham, Tre Jones, Romeo Langford, Keldon Johnson, Sandro Mamukelashvili

The Memphis Grizzlies conclude a 3-game road trip by traveling to The Alamo against the San Antonio Spurs. As we embark near the end of the season, these are two organizations with seasons off their usual scripts for the most part, especially given their long list of battles over the years.

For the first time since the inception of the “GrzNxtGen” era, and really since the 2016-17 season, there was an expectation for the Memphis Grizzlies to be a contender, getting their first huge dose of adversity in the process. Despite all the noise around this team — a slump towards the end of January and start of February, as well as Ja Morant’s off-court actions — they’ve maintained a top-3 seed in the Western Conference, holding the 2nd seed for a big bulk of the season. In addition, they sport a top-5 net rating (+3.9), best in the Western Conference.

After serving as a Western Conference juggernaut for years, the San Antonio Spurs are leaning in with their youth movement. Coincidence with the Victor Wembanyama draft looming? After all, they have a storied history with Hall-of-Fame big men, and the generational prospect plays for the French club owned by Tony Parker. Nonetheless, Gregg Popavich has been given a roster full of prospects looking for long NBA careers — what better coach to learn from, though.

What should we expect for tonight’s matchup?

Don’t take this game lightly

One thing about Gregg Popavich teams, they are feisty. Despite holding the worst net rating in the league by almost 2 points (-9.6), there isn’t a shortage of effort, more so talent. They play hard, move the ball, and look for the best shot — a foundation of a “pesky underdog” team.

They’ve played the Grizzlies tough all season long, as every game has been within single digits. The Grizzlies have won all 3 games by a combined 16 points — 2, 6, 8. Given the Grizzlies’ road woes, this game is one that could easily slip away if there’s a shift in their defensive focus.

If the Grizzlies lock in on their execution and maintain their success to start games, they should build a comfortable margin to put this team away.

Grizzlies Defense since the All-Star Break:

1st in DEF Rating
2nd in OPP PPG
2nd in OPP FG%
3rd in OPP 3P%
7th in TOV forced

Grizz have NBA's best point differential (+91) over qtrs 1, 2, and 3 combined since All-Star Break.

They have worst (-41) 4th qtr pt differential.

— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) March 14, 2023

Secondary Takes

• Keep feeding 13. It seems like a focal point each game preview, but Jaren Jackson Jr. needs to be featured heavily in this game. By dealing Jakob Poetl, the Spurs don’t have a NBA-level threat down low with Jackson. Last game, he led the team in points (25) and shot attempts (15), while also knocking down 4 three’s. He’ll be the best player on the floor, and the Grizzlies’ coaching staff needs to recognize it and attack this mismatch.
• Take more 3’s to make more 3’s… with your best shooters. The Grizzlies have hoisted the 10th-most 3-pointers per game since the All-Star break at 37.5, but they’re 25th in accuracy (34.2%). In this span, Desmond Bane is shooting 6.9 attempts from downtown, and Luke Kennard is at 4.3. So these two elite 3-point shooters are accounting for 11.2 of their 37.5 attempts (29.8%) from deep since the All-Star break. You’d like this number to creep closer to 35-40% of the distribution, given their potency from deep. Granted, Bane has struggled shooting the ball from deep since the break, by his standards — shooting 34.2% from 3. Kennard though is shooting 48.8% from 3 since the All-Star break. To found success in the halfcourt, they need to feature their 2 prolific shooters more often.

Prediction: The Memphis Grizzlies have a happy flight home before another meeting against the Golden State Warriors. The starters get some extra rest to play less than 30 minutes. Grizzlies 124, Spurs 107.