San Antonio Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies
Mostly because of their blowout loss to Golden State, Memphis is the rare 11-8 team with a minus-3 net rating, a number that's surprisingly low considering the statistical crevasse they had to claw out of to start the year.
That 50-point defeat likely represents the nadir of the Grizzlies season, as they've recovered from a 3-6 start to once again grit and grind against the dying of the two-ball (a cause that, as we know, the Spurs have joined, as well).
One thing that Memphis has done well is use their physicality to get to the free-throw line. They lead the league not only in attempts per game but percentage (84%). Of course, the Spurs have been superb at keeping teams off the charity stripe, with opponents averaging less than 17 attempts a game (easily tops in the league). Something's gotta give, and we can expect a home call or two to tilt things in Memphis' favor.
The Spurs' strengths and better offensive efficiency should give them the advantage tonight, although we saw against Chicago what happens when San Antonio's bench struggles (and what a difference a Gasol makes). A road SEGABABA and the fact that San Antonio hasn't been as good away from the AT&T Center make me lean ever so slightly to a Memphis win.
Matchup to watch: The battle in the paint. Zach Randolph sat out the first game and, though he's still nursing a knee injury, the idea of four solid bigs all fighting to occupy the same small space and put a ball in a hoop is titillating. Passing out of the post (The Spurs and Grizz lead the league in post-up frequency) could be an important key to deciding who wins.
Remember when:
Note: Edited out the bit about Mario Chalmers coming over in late November and not playing in their first matchup. Was way off there.
|
||
San Antonio Spurs (15-4) |
Memphis Grizzlies (11-8) |
|
December 3, 2015 |
||
FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee |
||
8:30 PM CST |
||
TV: TNT |
||
Starters |
||
Tony Parker |
PG |
Mike Conley |
Danny Green |
SG |
Tony Allen |
Kawhi Leonard |
SF |
Jeff Green |
LaMarcus Aldridge |
PF |
Zach Randolph |
Tim Duncan |
C |
Marc Gasol |
Game prediction: Grizzlies by 4.
For the Grizzlies fans' perspective, visit Grizzly Bear Blues.
As always Tony must dominate Fisher.