The Grizzlies opened a six-game homestand on Wednesday night, only to be dealt a brutal 123-98 loss by the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs closed out the season series 3-1, and held the Grizzlies to fewer than 100 points for the fifth time this season.
Let’s get into it, I guess.
This game felt more than a little like the kind of beatdowns the Tim Duncan/Tony Parker/Manu Ginobili-era Spurs used to give the Grit-and-Grind-era Grizzlies in seasons past, but way less fun to watch.
For all intents and purposes, San Antonio led the game wire-to-wire, sans one moment in the first quarter where Memphis managed to tie the score for a few seconds.
As has been the case many times this season, the Grizzlies started digging themselves into a hole early in the first quarter and never recovered. The Spurs, going on a 30-9 run in the quarter, coupled with the Grizzlies only scoring 19 points, did Memphis no favors.
Leading the charge for San Antonio, Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama scored 19 each, and Wembanyama casually pulled down 15 rebounds, plus seven blocks, and yet another double-double (his 37th of the season) —because apparently gravity doesn’t apply to him.
He’s now blocked a shot in 102 straight games, the third-longest such streak in NBA history.
The Spurs had firm control of the boards and the paint, outscoring the Grizzlies 56-34 in the paint and outrebounding them 59-33.
We won’t dwell too much on turnovers because even without giving up those 18 points, the Grizzlies wouldn’t have won. I’ve written a lot about turnovers this season, and I’m tired, boss.
By The Numbers:
GG Jackson led the team with 20 points, his 18th consecutive game scoring in double figures.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 17 points and five rebounds.
Cedric Coward put up 12 points in his return after missing the previous three games for personal reasons.
Playing on his second 10-day contract with the Grizzlies, DeJon Jarreau scored a career-high 15 points.
Walter Clayton Jr. added 10 points, two rebounds, and six assists.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will continue playing through their last homestand of the season with a pair of games this weekend. Friday, March 27th, they will host the Houston Rockets, and Saturday night, they will host the Chicago Bulls. Tip-off is 7 PM CDT for both games.