Just a couple of weeks removed from their triple-overtime thriller, the Spurs and Grizzlies are back at it for (at least) four more quarters of fun basketball action. Both teams have been struggling over the last few weeks and will be keen not to lose any more ground in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Which Western power will grab that much-needed win? You decide, with the help of our preview below.
Get ready for another stacked Tuesday night of NBA action by checking out our previews of the Raptors vs. Blazers and Cavs vs. Hawks.
[sc:NBAArticles ]San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Preview
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis
When: Tuesday, December 30, 8:00 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies – view all NBA lines
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
The injuries are taking their toll on the San Antonio Spurs’ early-season record. Still without two former Finals MVPs in Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs have gone just 3-7 in their last 10 games and are a perilously close to exiting the playoff picture. They did get a big win on Sunday by bringing down the Josh Smith-infused Houston Rockets, 110-106, at home.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Spurs’ defense has uncharacteristically let them down over the last 10 games. They’re giving up a league-worst 109 points per game in their last 10, which is a little inflated due to back-to-back triple-overtime losses to the Grizzlies and Blazers.
But even when adjusting to points per possession, the Spurs are still giving up 1.074 PPP, the sixth-worst mark in the league during that stretch.
The offense has been merely middle-of-the-pack at 104.7 points per 100 possessions, but they could get an added boost with the return of backup point guard Patty Mills, who had eight points off the bench against the Rockets.
Danny Green also resumed his sweet-shooting month with 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field against Houston. Green is averaging 20 points and already has 10 made threes in two meetings against the Grizzlies this season, including seven in their most recent triple-overtime marathon.
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Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
The combination of a very tough schedule and a Zach Randolph knee injury has sent the Grizzlies crashing to their first prolonged rough patch this season. Memphis is just 1-4 (including 0-3 at home) since escaping with that triple-overtime win at San Antonio, with losses to the Bulls, Cavs and Rockets.
With Randolph out of the lineup, the Grizzlies offense – a top-10 offense per Offensive Efficiency this season – has been scoring a fairly ordinary 103.9 points per 100 possessions over the last five games. Meanwhile, the defense has fallen off a cliff, posting the worst Defensive Rating besides the Knicks and Kings in the last week or so.
The Grizz finally bounced back with a 103-95 road win against the Miami Heat last Saturday. Marc Gasol continued his MVP-caliber play with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Gasol will be keen to put up more impressive numbers against San Antonio. He’s averaged 27 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 53 percent in their first two meetings this season.
Meanwhile, the return of wing stopper Tony Allen to full speed could spark some improvement on their defense against San Antonio, Green in particular.
Writer’s Prediction
The Spurs extend the Grizzlies’ misery by winning on the road.
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