Even though they had played the day before, and had lost for the seventh consecutive time, the Spurs were counting on receiving Grizzlies reduced to move forward at home.
The problem is that the teammates of Desmond Bane And Jaren Jackson Jr. (53 points in total) showed impressive strength of character, as well as great domination in the paint, to erase a 19-point deficit and win (120-108), at the cost of a high-flying second half: 69-40!
Even deprived of Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman or even Luke Kennard, Memphis was torn away and gradually overturned San Antonioled by “Wemby” (19 points at 6/17, 13 rebounds, 8 blocks, 4 assists), but also Keldon Johnson (22 points).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Victor Wembanyama wall. If his shooting success percentage (6/17) is still a clear area for improvement, “Wemby” especially stood out in defense last night, recording no less than… 8 blocks (!) to go with his 13 rebounds and 4 assists. A very dark sheet therefore, even if we will regret – like his entire team – his collapse in the second half. Because the Frenchman showed a different face in each half: one good, one less good. Perhaps the backlash of “back-to-back”.
– From +19 San Antonio to +12 Memphis. Two-speed meeting last night, between the Spurs who flew through the first half, causing a multitude of fouls and free throws or rolling collectively in the wake of Victor Wembanyama, and the Grizzlies who for their part rolled in the second half, relying on the aggressiveness of Jaren Jackson Jr, the skill of Ziaire Williams, the regularity of Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama or the efficiency of Bismack Biyombo. And Tennessee players have the last laugh.
– Grizzlies drop last place to Spurs. In the duel of the dunces of the Western Conference, between the 13th (San Antonio) and the 15th (Memphis), it is therefore the lower ranked of the two franchises which won, which earned it to exchange places with his evening opponent. Consequently, Victor Wembanyama’s teammates now occupy last place in the West and they also have the third worst record in the league (3-10). In addition to being the team that is “surfing” the second worst series in the NBA (eight defeats in a row)…
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
