Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies – Game #12
Jeremy Sochan and the Spurs will try to get back on the winning track (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs (5-6) will attempt to get back to .500 tonight when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies (7-4) in the AT&T Center. The Spurs have lost four straight games, with the last two losses coming against the Denver Nuggets. Prior to losing four consecutive contests, San Antonio had won four of their previous five games.
The Spurs struggling right now isn’t surprising due to the difficulty of their schedule. In fact, this hard early season stretch is something we pointed out prior to the start of the regular season. This game against the Grizzlies is the tenth game in a 12-game stretch in which the Spurs face a team that was predicted to make the playoffs prior to the start of the season.
The Grizzlies have won three of their last four games. Their only loss was a 109-106 defeat against the Boston Celtics. On the season, Memphis’ two standout players have been Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Morant is averaging 28.5 points, 7.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds, while Bane is averaging 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Zach Collins received some bad news yesterday when he was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his left leg. That injury is expected to keep him out up to a month. He’ll be joined on the sidelines by Blake Wesley, who will likely be out until January with a torn MCL in his left knee.
Thankfully, there was some good news on the injury front. Romeo Langford is back after being sidelined with a toe injury. Additionally, Doug McDermott is good to go tonight. Previously, he was listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
Malaki Branham Sent to the Austin Spurs
With Devin Vassell and Romeo Langford back healthy, the Spurs have sent Malaki Branham to the G League. The rookie was the 20th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Expect him to play big minutes with the Austin Spurs.
In San Antonio, Branham got off to a slow shooting start. Over the course of four games, he was 8-for-28 from the field and 3-for-15 from three-point range.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Now that Devin Vassell is no longer limited by a minutes restriction, the Spurs starting lineup is back to how it began this season: Vassell at shooting guard, Tre Jones at point guard, Keldon Johnson at small forward, Jeremy Sochan at power forward and Jakob Poeltl at center.
With Collins out, Charles Bassey served as the team’s backup center last game and he played well (see the Grades). Joining Bassey off the bench will be Doug McDermott, Josh Richardson and Keita Bates-Diop.
Romeo Langford and Isaiah Roby are two other players who might see playing time in the regular rotation tonight.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are favored by 5.5 points and the over/under is set at 234.5. The smart money is on the under. In their last five games, the Spurs are only averaging 104.6 points. In their last two games, the Grizzlies are averaging 104.5 points. With neither team on a roll offensively, it looks like a safe bet to predict that the teams won’t total 235 or more points.