Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies – Game #39
Stephon Castle will once again start for the Spurs tonight (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs will play the Memphis Grizzlies in two consecutive games. The first contest will be tonight at the Frost Bank Center, with the second game taking place on Friday also in San Antonio. The Spurs enter this two-game series with a record of 19-19, while the Grizzlies are currently 25-15.
The Silver and Black are coming off of one of their better wins of the season. After struggling for the first half and part of the third quarter, the Spurs ran away from the Los Angeles Lakers. By the time the final buzzer sounded, San Antonio had a 126-102 victory. Victor Wembanyama led the way with 23 points.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Jeremy Sochan will miss another game due to a back injury. The Spurs haven’t given specifics about the injury but Sochan has dealt with back soreness for a couple weeks. On the season, the 21-year-old is averaging 13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while shooting a career-best 53.0% from three-point range.
In other Spurs-related injury news, Riley Minix is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Minix is on a two-way contract and had been playing for the Austin Spurs in the G League. In 19 games with Austin, the undrafted rookie out of Morehead State was averaging 19.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, while shooting 52.8% from the field, 42% from three-point range and 85.3% from the free throw line.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
With Jeremy Sochan out again with a back injury, you can safely assume that interim head coach Mitch Johnson will start Chris Paul at point guard, Stephon Castle at shooting guard, Devin Vassell at small forward, Harrison Barnes at power forward and Victor Wembanyama at center.
Castle has had most of his best games this season when playing in the starting lineup. Against the Lakers, he was really good once again.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are favorited by 2.5 points and the over/under for the game is set at 239.5 points. The smart money is on the under. The Spurs have been improving their defense as the season progresses and should be ready to put up a strong defensive performance in front of their home fans. While the Grizzlies have a lot of talented players, having Victor Wembanyama in the middle will fill a lot of potential holes in San Antonio’s defense.