NBA Game Prediction: Spurs vs Grizz

San Antonio, destined for a bottom-four playoff spot, needs to learn to win on the road. Luckily for them, they’re facing a Memphis team that’s lost seven straight at home.

San Antonio Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies

Saturday, March 6th – 8:00 PM EST
FedEx Forum, Memphis

The Week That Was: Spurs

San Antonio won a pair of games earlier in the week, both big wins against teams that are not easy to beat. The first came on Sunday against the Suns, breaking Phoenix’s five game winning streak in a 113-110 victory. San Antonio got incredible production from their bench, outscoring their Phoenix counterparts 55-17. Although, when you feature Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson on the bench, that sort of offensive output is expected.

Jefferson, who had recently been relegated to bench play because of a poor season, had his best game off the twine, scoring 20 points. The Spurs were dealt a scare in the third period; Antonio McDyess, who was enjoying a 12 point/9 board game, left the game with a knee injury and did not return.

McDyess did not play the next night, but the Spurs didn’t need him, disposing of the New Orleans Hornets 106-92. Instead, San Antonio received the bulk of their offense from George Hill, who had one of his most efficient games of season on his way to a team-high 23 points. Hill went 9-for-13 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The Spurs as a team shot over 50% from the field for the second straight game. 

 to start winning some cash today!

The Week That Was: Grizzlies

 Memphis had a busy week, starting in New York last week where they beat the Knicks 120-109. Zach Randolph ran wild on the Knickerbockers, scoring 31 points and grabbing a career-high 25 rebounds. The Grizzlies dominated around the basket, outrebounding New York 52-32 and outscoring them in the paint 62-40.

The Grizzlies followed that with a 103-93 loss at home against Portland, their seventh straight ‘L’ at the FedEx Forum. Memphis blew a 12-point halftime lead, allowing the Blazers to score 41 points in the third quarter. Portland had a The Grizzlies could only manage 40 points combined in the second half.

The Grizz were back on the road on Wednesday, edging the Hornets 104-100. It was Memphis’ fifth straight road win, a new franchise record. The Grizzlies were down by nine in the fourth quarter before making the comeback, sparked by point guard Mike Conley, who scored nine of his season-high 26 in the final frame.

The road win streak continued in Chicago, where Memphis rallied back from a 17-point first half deficit to beat the Bulls 105-96. Randolph had another big game, scoring 31 and recording 18 rebounds. The double double was his 43rd of the season, breaking the franchise record. Not bad for a guy labeled as a locker-room cancer when the season began.

Outlook & Pick

The Spurs play two games this weekend, and it’s unknown if Antonio McDyess will be available for either of them. They’ll especially need him in this road game against the Grizzlies; the Spurs are already a poor team on the road, and losing one of their best players won’t help them change that.