It\u2019s round three for the Spurs and Grizzlies this season, and each team has slowly worked its way in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n
The Spurs, though currently scuffling a bit, are 2nd in the Western Conference since the last time these two teams met.<\/p>\n
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are desperately hanging onto the final play-in spot in the midst of a 4-game losing streak, with important players dropping like flies, and their fearless leader mired in a vacillation between poor performance and poor behavior.<\/p>\n
Still, the Grizzlies have given the Spurs trouble in both of their previous encounters, keeping it close with defense and rebounding, courtesy of a defensive rating as high as 8th before this recent run of bad luck, and a rebounding percentage that\u2019s in the top 10 (Memphis is still 4th in total rebounds).<\/p>\n
Of course, these teams have often played each other close, going back to the era of \u2018Grit and Grind\u2019 and San Antonio\u2019s Big Three.<\/p>\n
Still, that was before the Spurs roster returned to (almost) full health, and Memphis started to take a health-related beating of their own. Particularly key is the absence of Zack Edey, who has given the Spurs fits in any minutes without Wemby (and even some with him).<\/p>\n
The Grizzlies have begun to buckle offensively during this recent stretch, dropping just outside of the bottom 20 in offensive rating over the last four games. Unfortunately, the Spurs have done no better over that stretch either, ranking just two spots lower over the same span.<\/p>\n
The difference is likely to be on the defensive end in this one, as the Spurs are still sitting in the top half of defensive rating (14th) in that four-game run, and Memphis has fallen into the bottom third (23rd).<\/p>\n
Even so, it\u2019s very possible that the Spurs don\u2019t end up running away with this one, as the Grizzlies fight for their pride, and another shot at avoiding a season sweep at the hands of the Silver and Black. Certaintly it won\u2019t help that Victor Wembanyama won\u2019t be available to exploit Edey\u2019s absence from their lineup,<\/p>\n
If the Spurs manage to snap their recent shooting slump, though, it\u2019s all bets off for a shorthanded Memphis team. The Spurs are certainly due for an end to their drought.<\/p>\n