Memphis Grizzlies drop ninth game in a row in San Antonio
The Memphis Grizzlies entered Wednesday nights contest with a new coach, looking to show pride and to end an eight-game losing streak, but fell to the San Antonio Spurs 104-95.
Memphis Grizzlies Starting Five:
Tyreke Evans
Ben McLemore
Dillon Brooks
JaMychal Green
Marc Gasol
First Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies began the game with two quick points, but LaMarcus Aldridge had other plans, scoring the Spurs first eight points of the game. Those eight points went unanswered, and the Grizzlies were forced to call a timeout 9:41 remaining in the first quarter.
Andrew Harrison and James Ennis were the first subs for the Grizzlies at the 5:49 mark in the first quarter. No substitution seemed to slow Aldridge down, as he had 17 points in the first seven minutes.
Despite a quick 17-point outburst from Aldridge, the Grizzlies were only down six with 3:19 left in the first quarter.
Former head coach David Fizdale would’ve been proud of this first quarter performance, as the team should fight through adversity. The Grizzlies trailed the San Antonio Spurs 21-28, despite 17 first quarter points to Aldridge.
Second Quarter:
The Grizzlies bright a nice rotation onto the floor to start the second quarter.
The five of Kobi Simmons, Tyreke Evans, Jarell Martin and Deyota Davis trimmed the lead to four with 9:03 remaining in the second quarter.
In Simmons’ first two minutes of NBA action, he drew an offensive foul call on Tony Parker and score two points. Not bad for a G-league call up.
Marc Gasol and Evans started building chemistry on entry passes off of pick-and-rolls which was huge. The Grizzlies cut the lead down to four, but then Aldridge entered for the first time in the second quarter and picked up where he left off.
Aldridge and Spurs built the lead back up eight with 4:49 remaining in the second quarter. The second quarter ended with the Grizzlies trailing the Spurs 58-49.
First Half Summary:
The Grizzlies weathered a quick storm by Aldridge of the Spurs which came in 17 quick first quarter points. Memphis opened up the second quarter with a fun lineup of Evans, Simmons, Davis, Ennis and Martin. This lineup was a good bench unit for the short-handed Grizzlies. I
looked forward to seeing this lineup late into the third quarter and beginning of the fourth. This lineup could’ve gotten the Grizzlies over the hump.
Third Quarter:
The third quarter began just like the last eight third quarters began-horrible. Gasol lacked defensive leadership, and there was no communication or chemistry on both ends of the floor.
Memphis started picking it up with the entrance of an aggressive Andrew Harrison, the Grizzlies went from being down 15, to being down by nine. A lineup of Martin, Gasol, Ennis, Harrison and Brooks made a big run around the 4:30 mark in the third to bring Memphis within seven of the Spurs.
Memphis trimmed what was a 15-point lead to six at the end of the third quarter. Harrison continued to be catalyst for the Grizzlies in that third quarter, pushing tempo and driving the lane. Memphis felt like they were starting to find something at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
Memphis started the fourth quarter with a ton of momentum. The bench unit, minus Simmons, brought this team back into the game.
The Grizzlies trailed the Spurs by just four points after falling behind by as much as 15 points. Just like the last eight games, the Grizzlies couldn’t get over the hump in the fourth quarter. Memphis trimmed the ead down to four, and that was as close as it.
Next: Mike Conley out another 2-3 weeks
Game Summary:
Perhaps Gasol should have started out guarding Aldridge, instead of waiting until the second half to take aim at the head of the Spurs snake.
Aldridge still played incredible as he scored 41 points in 36 minutes of play — 17 points of which came in the first quarter. The Grizzlies did show a lot better fight for 48 minutes and will find their way out of this nine-game losing streak.
The third quarter was a lot better than last five or so. Energy was there, but the team just couldn’t get over the hump and trailed in the nine-to-10 point range for majority of the game. The Grizzlies will have another crack at the Spurs on Friday night in Memphis.