Both teams had starting bigs sitting out of this one; The Spurs without LaMarcus Aldridge and the Grizzlies without Zach Randolph. It was a pretty slow start with only 14 total points scored by both teams in the first six minutes. David West was able to get a couple of buckets to fall early, after sliding into the starting line-up for Aldridge.
The Spurs held the Grizzlies to only 19 first quarter points on 7-of-20 shooting. Manu Ginobili, back from his hip injury, was terrific for the second unit, as he consistently has been this season. He filled the stat sheet in the first half with 11 points (4-of-5 shooting), three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 12 minutes off the bench. His absence was a big reason for the lack of production from the second unit against the Pelicans on Friday.
Without Randolph down low, the Spurs were able to contain the Grizzles in the paint. Marc Gasol, who came off a triple-double in his last game, was virtually non-existent in the first half. The lack of an interior presence for Memphis also allowed Tony Parker to slice and dice through the lane and earn himself 18 first half points, with 12 in the second quarter. Despite Kawhi Leonard's shooting struggles, the Silver and Black led 53-39 at halftime.
A few sloppy possessions from the Spurs to begin the second half allowed the Grizzlies to cut it to single digits, which led to Coach Pop using two time-outs in two minutes. Kawhi continued to struggle from the floor, but was still getting it done defensively and getting to the free throw line.
Memphis did it's best to chip away, but the Spurs went into the fourth with a 13 point lead. Much like the first half, this was thanks to Manu and Tony.
Kyle Anderson got some time with the starters in the fourth quarter, and the group was able to maintain the lead. Tim Duncan had two straight floaters with about a minute left to seal the deal after the Grizzlies cut the lead to six. So, SA held off Memphis to earn it's sixth straight home victory, and improve to 10-and-3 overall.