The Memphis Grizzlies will attempt to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the also-struggling San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday in a Western Conference clash.
Both teams head into the contest coming off blowout losses.
The Grizzlies will try to bounce back after a 123-92 home shellacking at the hands of the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a team-high 18 points for Memphis, while Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard added 17 apiece.
Memphis lost the game in the first 4:28 of the third quarter, when it scored just one point while allowing Sacramento to build a 78-59 lead. The Grizzlies, who shot just 36.6 percent from the floor for the game, are now 4-3 since Morant returned from his season-opening 25-game suspension.
“We’re working some guys back in who have been out with sickness and stuff,” Bane said after Sunday’s loss. “We get our legs back under us, and we’ll be fine.”
Tuesday’s meeting will be the first of a home back-to-back for Memphis that finishes Wednesday when the Grizzlies host the Toronto Raptors. Memphis has just two wins at home, tied for fewest in the NBA with the Spurs and Detroit Pistons.
There’s little time for the Grizzlies to rediscover how to work together with Morant back in the fold.
“It’s going to be tough,” Morant said. “Around this time, it’s a lot of games. … It’s tough to be able to have that practice time. You don’t want to tear down the players’ bodies too much, so obviously it’s going to be a process.”
The Spurs head back on the road after losing 134-101 at home to league-leading Boston on Sunday. Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 22 points, Victor Wembanyama added 21 and Malaki Branham had 11 as the Spurs lost their second straight.
San Antonio finished the month of December 2-12, but that was an improvement after a 1-13 November. The Spurs are 5-27 and stuck at the bottom of the West standings.
“It’s difficult to play against (the Celtics) and it’s a good challenge,” Wembanyama said. “We learned (from the Boston game). They made very few mistakes and that’s inspiring. We haven’t been winning every game so far and it’s not a problem to try different things.”
San Antonio played without sixth man Keldon Johnson (back spasms) and starter Zach Collins (sprained right ankle). Collins could miss up to four weeks with his ankle injury.
San Antonio trailed by a dozen at the break but fell apart in a decisive third quarter in which it was outscored by 17 points.
“(Boston’s) a tough challenge at this particular time for our group,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “The effort was there. It helps to make shots, and we didn’t. But I was pleased with their effort and their ability to hang in the best they could.”
The Grizzlies beat San Antonio in the teams’ first meeting this season, 120-108, on Nov. 18 in the Alamo City.
–Field Level Media
