Simply when it appeared just like the San Antonio Spurs season was teetering on the brink, they got here out with a powerful 126-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. They’ll have to experience that momentum into their subsequent two video games, as they host the Memphis Grizzlies for a house stand.
The Grizz have utterly bounced again from an underperforming season final 12 months and seem like top-of-the-line groups within the NBA. Jaren Jackson Jr. is taking an enormous leap whereas Ja Morant and Desmond Bane proceed to be one of many league’s strongest back-court duos. San Antonio may have its fingers full with the crew scoring essentially the most factors within the NBA proper now.
As powerful as Memphis is offensively, they’re simply nearly as good on protection. Jackson Jr., Bane, and rookie Jaylen Wells are issues on the defensive finish. The Grizzlies are fifth in defensive score. San Antonio might want to deliver extra of the offensive versatility and aggressiveness they confirmed in opposition to the Lakers in the event that they wish to defeat Memphis at dwelling.
San Antonio Spurs (19-19) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (25-15)
January 15, 2025 | 7 PM CT
Watch: FanDuel Sports activities | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Jeremy Sochan – Out (again), Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League), Riley Minix – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League)
Grizzlies Accidents: Jay Huff – Possible (knee), GG Jackson – Out (G League), Marcus Good – Out (finger), Cam Spencer – Out (thumb), Vince Williams Jr. – Out (ankle), Zyon Pullin – Out (G League)
What to look at for:
The battle inside
Groups hardly ever have the expertise and dimension to match up with Victor Wembanyama. The Grizzlies have simply that. Jackson Jr. is a defensive participant of the 12 months caliber participant who can guard inside and outside. The rookie, Zach Edey, is a 7-foot-4 big who is hard to protect and preserve off the glass, regardless of his slower ft. Wembanyama is as much as any problem and simply had an excellent sport in opposition to the Lakers’ famous person large man, Anthony Davis. San Antonio will want a giant sport from him that may set up some kind of tone to win the battle on the inside.
Can Stephon Fort and Devin Vassell stick with it
Wembanyama lastly bought some scoring assist in opposition to the Lakers. Devin Vassell and Stephon Fort had been nice within the Spurs’ newest win. Each guards had been aggressive getting downhill and did an excellent job ending on the basket. Vassell lastly discovered his bounce shot, hitting 5 of his 9 three-pointers. San Antonio wants constant offensive performances from their guards, particularly with out Jeremy Sochan. These two shall be key on Wednesday evening.
The non-Wemby minutes
Memphis is a deep crew with expertise up and down the roster. Their participant improvement employees has executed some unimaginable work filling out the crew prior to now few seasons. They received’t be pushovers when their starters go to the bench. San Antonio must be aggressive when Wembanyama isn’t on the ground. Both Charles Bassey or Zach Collins should step up taking up Edey and Santi Aldama. Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones might help the Spurs keep afloat by aggressively attending to the basket and maintaining the strain on the defensive finish. The bench minutes shall be large.
