Game is on FSSW
http://www.nba.com/games/20130111/SASMEM/gameinfo.html
Spurs-Grizzlies Preview
By TAYLOR BECHTOLD
Posted Jan 10 2013 5:17PM
Still searching for answers as they try to end their road slump, the San Antonio Spurs might have a tough time finding them in a showdown at Memphis.
While the Spurs hope to avoid their seventh loss in nine road games, the Grizzlies look for their fourth straight win as the top two teams in the Southwest Division meet on Friday night.
Memphis (23-10) has a chance to gain ground, entering this game trailing San Antonio (28-10) by 2 1/2 games.
The Spurs, however, have beaten the Grizzlies five straight times, including a 99-95 overtime win on Dec. 1, since Memphis stunned top-seeded San Antonio in the first round of the 2010-11 playoffs.
"You never forget those kinds of series," Spurs guard Tony Parker said. "Memphis is playing well so it's going to be a tough game."
San Antonio captured its 11th straight victory at home with a 108-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, but has struggled to find the same success on the road.
Eight of its 10 losses have come there, the latest a 95-88 defeat at New Orleans on Monday that snapped the Hornets' seven-game home losing streak.
San Antonio ranks among the top three in the NBA in scoring at 104.9 points per game, but has averaged just 85.5 in its last two road games compared to 112.0 in its last six at home.
Guard Manu Ginobili, though, has given the team a spark, averaging 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists in his last three games.
Tim Duncan and Tony Parker combined for 57 points to lead the Spurs past the visiting Grizzlies in December. Duncan is still posting big numbers against Memphis, averaging 24.7 points and 14.7 rebounds in the last three meetings.
While the Spurs made 12 of 25 (48.0 percent) from beyond the arc against the Lakers, they've hit on 15 of 55 (27.3 percent) in their last two road games.
It doesn't figure to get any easier against a Memphis team leading the NBA in scoring defense (89.1). The Grizzlies have held opponents to just 82.6 points per game over their last seven contests.
"We're just going to have to play a little bit better," Parker said. "That's the NBA season, you're going to have ups and downs."
The Grizzlies return home, where they're 13-4, after sweeping a three-game West Coast road trip. Memphis won for the fourth time in five games with a 94-87 victory at Golden State on Wednesday night.
"We've been going through some ups and downs and had some lapses, some kind of lapse games," guard Rudy Gay said. "We had to come out here for ourselves to get three out of three."
After outscoring the Warriors 60-34 in the paint, the Grizzlies rank near the top of the NBA in points in the paint at 43.8 per game. That could be a factor against the Spurs, who rank in the bottom third of the league this month with an average of 42.4 paint points allowed.
Forward Zach Randolph has made a major impact inside, leading the NBA with 23 double-doubles. He had 17 points and 15 rebounds in last month's loss at San Antonio despite shooting 5 for 21.
Center Marc Gasol has scored 18.7 points per game on 23-of-39 (59.0 percent) in his last three against the Spurs.
The Grizzlies would like to improve their efficiency from the outside after hitting a season-low 2 for 17 (11.8 percent) from 3-point range on Wednesday.
The Spurs have one of the toughest perimeter defenses in the league, ranking second in opponent 3-point percentage (32.7).
The Spurs have beaten the Grizzlies 5 straight times since 2011.
Let the streak continue!
Meanwhile Coach Hollins continues to take shots at Hollinger
Lionel: "There's a lot to be said about stats but there's a lot to be said about heart, toughness, courage and bravery."
Lionel on analytics: "I'm trying to still figure out when the Oakland Athletics have won a world championship."
Chris with the buzzer beating save to keep the forum from melting down about Amuseddaysleeper's thread.
It's going to be a tough game imo. Memphis is at home and looking to gain ground, but the trade talks might prove to be a fortunate distraction for the Spurs.
let's just hope they play less "sloppy" and limit the turnovers...If the turn the ball over like they did against LA they loose by 20 tonight tbh
Amuseddaysleeper aint bout dis life smh
The Grizz have played FIVE less games than the Spurs? WTF, Stern?
BTW, this will be a loss, sorry.
Not trying to troll, but you guys are gonna have a tough time with Memphis. Possibly a blowout.
not trying to troll but i know for a fact the lakers will win tonight
Probably. If we come out with the same effort we have the last two games.
I don't think it matters that our schedule has been front loaded - that just means that we'll have more rest in the second half of the season. Everyone plays 82 games in the end.
On another note, Memphis is a team that I could get behind if it wasn't for the fact that they're in our division and beat us in the playoffs two years ago. I really like their style of play.
Not confident going into this game but it's certainly winnable
Spurs by 1
Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
Usual starters for both teams. Parker, Green, Leonard, Duncan, Splitter vs. Conley, Allen, Gay, Randolph, Gasol.
This is going to be a tough game to win but if the spurs come out focused and ready I can see them winning this one.
If the Grizzlies continue to play their usual crappy "leave everyone who can shoot open" 3-point defense and the Spurs shooters get hot, it's going to be a long night for the Grizzlies.
While the Spurs have definitely not been playing their best ball over the last week or so, the Grizz have been looking rather mediocre over their last 10 games or so. As long as we cut down on the mental mistakes, I think Spurs have a good chance to take this one.
Game time ladies and gents - GSG!
Big game today.
Spurs have been playing poorly of late - slack execution, not enough effort or consistency at either end. These are typical signs of the NBA doldrums - that part of the schedule when you've got a good record but it's still a long way to the ASB and things don't seem overly urgent or important. The team has slacked off for a few games, but do that against the Grizz and we'll be ground to dust.
Either this will be a turning point game where the team wakes up again and finds some of the execution and fire we saw before Christmas, or we'll get handed our heads.
We shall see...
I think Splitter just left SJAX hanging there, lol
Here we go!
Since the Grizz win with D, I doubt it'll be a blowout, but if Spurs don't come to play Grizz will win by 10 or 12.
nice!
GSG!
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