The Memphis Grizzlies found ways to overcome impressive stat lines from the stars of the San Antonio Spurs on their way to a huge home victory over one of the NBA’s elite teams.
How did Memphis do it?
Together.
From the roster to the sell out crowd in FedExForum on Wrestling Night, it was one of those games where it felt like the city and team were one.
Six Grizzlies scored in double figures, led by Mike Conley with 19 points. Memphis had seven different players make a three point basket, four of them while converting more than 40% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Marc Gasol (16 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) continued his stretch of terrific all-around play, Zach Randolph (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Troy Daniels (11 points, 3 made threes) were quite productive off the bench, and Memphis took advantage of the Spurs having an especially off night from three (9-28).
The best part of tonight’s victory? San Antonio was only without their rookie point guard Dejounte Murray. So the Spurs were essentially at full strength- no resting players from Gregg Popovich, no banged up Kawhi Leonard, no out indefinitely LaMarcus Aldridge (which is great, glad he is doing better). While you may not have seen all San Antonio has to offer, you at least saw their best players in action.
If the playoffs started today, these two teams would play in a 2-7 matchup. And after this win, Grizzlies fans should be more optimistic than ever that this team could make a run. You defeated the mighty San Antonio Spurs.
And Memphis, you beat them together.
The Grizzlies are now 40-30 and remain a half game behind the Thunder for the six seed out west. They will try to extend their current winning streak to five games Tuesday night in New Orleans as they take on the Pelicans.