It’s a brand new 12 months for the San Antonio Spurs, and an opportunity to get a contemporary begin in opposition to a Western Convention foe. The Silver and Black shall be headed to Graceland for a matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Spurs have misplaced two straight, their final coming in a blowout in opposition to the Boston Celtics. When San Antonio and Memphis met earlier this season, the Spurs jumped out to a 19-point lead however couldn’t maintain off the Grizz in a 120-108 loss.
That was earlier than star level guard Ja Morant returned from his suspension. With Morant again, the Grizzlies have appeared a lot better, however nonetheless are losers of their final three video games. San Antonio has struggled to comprise perimeter scorers like Jayson Tatum, Malcolm Brogdon and Damian Lillard in earlier outings. They’ll as soon as once more be examined by Morant and the Grizzlies.
San Antonio Spurs (5-27) at Memphis Grizzlies (10-22)
January 2, 2024 | 7 PM CT
Watch: BSSW | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (left knee,) Dominick Barlow – Questionable (G League,) Zach Collins – Out (proper ankle,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League,) Mamadi Diakite – Questionable (G League,) Keldon Johnson – Possible (low again)
Grizzlies Accidents: Steven Adams – Out (proper knee,) Brandon Clarke – Out (left achilles,) Jacob Gilyard – Out (G League,) GG Jackson – Out (G League,) Jake LaRavia – Out (G League)
What to look at for
Matching up with Morant
The Grizzlies level guard creates a singular matchup downside for the Spurs first 5. He’s recognized for his pace and talent to get to the basket. Morant is averaging 25.2 factors and seven.8 assists in his 6 video games this season. San Antonio has hassle containing perimeter gamers, partly as a consequence of their incapacity to defend on the level of assault. Additionally they quit 22.8 factors in transition per sport. On paper, it is a nice matchup for Morant.
The query is who shall be tasked with stopping Morant? Jeremy Sochan usually will get the hardest defensive matchup, however with the Grizzlies beginning Bismack Biyombo and Jaren Jackson Jr., San Antonio will want Sochan to protect one of many bigs together with Victor Wembanyama. Devin Vassell has been enhancing on the defensive finish, and might be choice. The Grizzlies are the second-worst three level capturing workforce within the NBA – this may be a sport we see the Spurs run a heavy does of zone protection.
Enjoying by way of Wembanyama
Over the previous few video games, the Spurs have made a concerted effort to seek out their rookie huge man within the paint and in transition. The outcomes have been optimistic, and given the Spurs a transparent offensive identification. Over his final 5 video games, Wembanyama is averaging 18 factors, 7.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists whereas capturing 34.8% from deep. He’ll be in for a tricky matchup with the Grizzlies entrance line.
Jackson Jr. and Biyombo are robust paint defenders who will compete with Wemby inside. Nonetheless, the Spurs would profit from a sport extra tailor-made to Wembanyama’s expertise. His capability to not solely generate attractiveness across the rim, however create alternatives for different along with his passing are two of the perfect weapons San Antonio has. In opposition to an enhancing Grizzlies protection, the Spurs ought to unleash these weapons.
Lineup math
Wanting on the Spurs lineup knowledge today isn’t fairly. But, one three-man mixture rises above the remaining. When Tre Jones, Vassell and Wembanyama share the ground collectively, the Spurs have a +21.9 web score in 155 minutes. They’ve an offensive score of 116.4 and a defensive score of 94.5. San Antonio needs to be taking part in these three collectively way more usually than they at present do. Add in Keldon Johnson and the web score will increase to +23.6. San Antonio’s finest five-man lineup is when Sochan is added into that blend, but they’ve solely shared the ground collectively for 27 minutes.
San Antonio has an actual shot of stealing on the highway in opposition to a struggling Grizzlies squad. An prolonged take a look at this lineup might assist them get the win in Memphis.
