A pair of Western Conference teams trying to stay within the top of the standings square off when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. The Spurs and Grizzlies, along with the Trail Blazers, all sit with 16 wins on the season, with San Antonio sitting in eighth in the West thanks to fewer losses.
It is very surprising that at the nearly-halfway point of the season, these teams have the same number of wins. San Antonio has been starting to get into the swing of things over the last few weeks, as it looks to move closer to .500, and it comes into this one having won two straight.
The Spurs’ offense, which does not regularly get hot from beyond the arc, has vaulted up to No. 6 in the league in points. But, they are No. 25 in points allowed and not playing the kind of defense we have come to expect from them.
Memphis is pretty similar to its opponent in this game, ranking No. 10 in points allowed but No. 27 in points allowed. Six different players on this team are averaging in double-figures in what is a relatively-balanced scoring attack.
It is unclear if Josh Jackson will ever actually join them, but he’ll be a welcome addition if/when he does. Andre Iguodala continues to be away from the team and sit on the bench as he awaits a trade to another team, with the buyout seemingly never coming.
Memphis is a one-point favorite for Friday night’s game, while the over/under is set at 231.5.
Looking To Keep Rolling
Coming off an impressive win over the Celtics, San Antonio is now looking to move to within three games of .500. Prior to this season, the Spurs had a losing record for a total of 65 days in the past two decades combined, far and away the most impressive mark in the league.
It has not quite gone the same this year, but they have continued to claw and fight, and if the playoffs started today, they would find themselves in. As a No. 7 seed last year, the Spurs very nearly took the Nuggets out in the opening round. This team is full of hard-workers, with some budding stars coming along like Lonnie Walker IV.
San Antonio has started to find effectiveness from beyond the arc, now ranking fourth in percentage from deep. As long as DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are drawing the attention of defenders, other guys will continue to get good looks. Dejounte Murray even made three triples the other night.
Hoping For An Edge At Home
Going against Murray will be a good test for Rookie of the Year front-runner Ja Morant. He has had an impressive rookie campaign and can get to the rim and score at will. He is passing as well as any other young player in the league.
Jonas Valanciunas and Jaren Jackson Jr. have both been playing some good basketball this year, protecting the paint, grabbing rebounds and also knocking down the three. The Grizzlies have gotten some solid play off the bench from Grayson Allen and DeAnthony Melton this year as well.
The key for Memphis will be to make sure it has the pick-and-roll going. When it’s working, it gets the job done well.
San Antonio Gets The Road Win
It will be a good night for San Antonio as it knocks off Memphis in a must-see game. Go with the Spurs.
Free Play: SAS +1
