San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies: Predictions, Key Matchups, Injuries, More

The San Antonio Spurs head back home after a quick two game road trip to play the Southwest Division leading Memphis Grizzlies.

The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.

How will San Antonio fare against Memphis We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key matchups to predict the outcome of the game!

Recent Games

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs head into this game looking to bounce back from a loss in Portland against the Trail Blazers on Monday. The short-handed Spurs were taken down quite easily, failing to out-score the Trail Blazers in any quarter.

Overall, San Antonio has been struggling since going on an eight game winning streak. Since the streak was snapped the Spurs have played .500 ball, 4-4 in their last eight games, falling to fourth in the division.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies come into this game hot. After losing back-to-back games in early December, the team has strung together five straight wins.That win streak got even more impressive last night as the Grizzlies defeated the Western Conference leading Golden State Warriors.

Memphis defeated the Warriors at home 105-98, using a huge 33-19 second quarter surge to pace them to victory and snap Golden State’s 16-game winning streak. The Grizzlies have been on a tear this season at 20-4 and look to continue to keep pace with the Warriors tonight (a game behind Golden State in the Western Conference standings).

Injuries

San Antonio Spurs

Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward – Leonard is dealing with a bruised right hand and is listed as out. Look for Kyle and Anderson and Marco Belinelli to pick up the forward’s minutes.

Patty Mills, Point Guard – Mills is still healing from surgery on his torn rotator cuff. Expect his minutes to go to Cory Joseph.

Tony Parker, Point Guard – Parker is dealing with a mild hamstring strain that was suffered in the Spurs win over Memphis a couple weeks ago. He is listed as out for tonight’s game. Look for Cory Joseph to pick up another start in Parker’s place.

Memphis Grizzlies

Tony Allen, Shooting Guard – Allen is listed as questionable tonight after suffering a right corneal abrasion in the Grizzlies win last night over the Warriors. Look for Quincy Pondexter and Tayshaun Prince to pick up Allen’s minutes.

Key Matchups

Tonight’s key matchup is a battle down low between two of the best frontcourt players in the league. The San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan will face the Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol in a matchup that’s not to be missed. Both players have helped lead their respective teams to the top of the Western Conference standings and their gameplay tonight could determine the final result of this game between two Southwest Division powerhouses. The last time these two matched-up, it was one of the best battles down low of the season with Tim Duncan recording a triple-double and Marc Gasol picking up a monster 28 point, 12 rebound double-double.

PF. San Antonio Spurs. TIM DUNCAN. PF. Tim Duncan has not been playing like many would expect a 38-year-old to play. In his 18th season in the association, Duncan continues to be a powerful force for the Spurs. He is averaging an impressive 17.4 points and 10.8 rebounds while posting a 22.6 player efficiency rating. Duncan will be tasked in trying to contain center Marc Gasol tonight, who hs had quite a season himself so far. The last time Duncan matched-up against the Grizzlies, <a title=

C. Memphis Grizzlies. MARC GASOL. C. Marc Gasol has been putting his name in the MVP ballot this year with his excellent gameplay so far this season. Gasol has been averaging 19.6 points and 7.8 rebounds. He has played especially well over the past four games for Mempis, averaging 22.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in that span. Gasol will have his work cut out for him tonight against one of the best big men in the game in Tim Duncan. It will be even more difficult of a match-up as Duncan is coming in well-rested, his last game being a <a title=

Prediction

Two members of the San Antonio Spurs big three, Duncan and Ginobili come into this game well rested. That rest will allow the San Antonio Spurs to have the extra push necessary to defeat a very good Memphis Grizzlies team.

The game will definitely be close though, but, with the Spurs stars well rested and the game being at home, San Antonio will be able to eek out a close win in what figures to be a good defensive battle.

86. 211. . 93. 29

Next: Spurs Takeaways from Loss to Trail Blazers