Tag: Griz beat Spurs

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Edge Spurs in 124-122 OT Win

Ja Morant moves up the court after a basket. (Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)

The years of the Spurs being the Grizzlies’ most feared matchup are in the rearview, with Wednesday night’s seventh consecutive victory over San Antonio.  

Let’s get into it.  

This game had lots going for it – Ja Morant and Desmond Bane each dropping 32 points, Steven Adams feasting on the boards with 19 rebounds, good production from the bench, free basketball, and the Grizzlies’ play-by-play crew ready to square up against the refs.  

Yes, my friends, Ja and Des did the heavy lifting on the offensive end, but the game MVP award goes to announcers Brevin Knight and Pete Pranica.  

In the final 20 seconds of the extra period, the clock never restarted once the Spurs gained possession, resulting in a San Antonio fastbreak and bucket on the other end, all with the game clock stopped. The mishap allowed the Spurs to cut a five-point lead to one point.  

How three officials didn’t notice that the clock had not in fact started is beyond me, but our fearless heroes Pete and Brevin were not ready to let this go quietly, resulting in a very heated exchange with the refs.  

Thankfully, the Grizzlies were still able to come away with the win. But turnovers were not Memphis’ friend in this matchup, with the Grizzlies committing 20 turnovers and giving up 18 points off those turnovers.  

By The Numbers:  

Ja Morant and Desmond Bane each had a game-high 32 points, with Morant putting up 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Bane with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

Their performance marks the first time in franchise history that two Grizzlies players had 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the same game.

 

If you need a bucket, 12 will get you a bucket

Dillon Brooks scored 13 points, and had 5 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 3 of 5 from three-point range. 

Tyus Jones finished the night with 11 points and 3 assists, also while shooting 3 of 5 from three-point range. Once again, Jones showed precisely why the Grizzlies were correct to pay him in the offseason.  

Steven Adams closed out with 7 points and NINETEEN rebounds. Adams is currently fourth in the league in total rebounds but leads the league in total offensive rebounds.  

Who Got Next?  

The Grizzlies return home to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night. The team will be wearing their newly unveiled city edition uniforms. Tip-off is at 8:30 pm CST 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

After Slow Start, “Slow Mo” Keeps Things Moving

CREDIT: Larry Kuzniewski

Larry Kuzniewski

Kyle Anderson defends against the Spurs, Wednesday night.

I’ll preface this by saying that I am probably the last person to expect to write something about Kyle Anderson without being biased. I’ve had a strange fascination with him, dating back to the summer before the 2014 NBA draft, when he was taken eight spots behind the Grizzlies’ pick at 30th overall.

Tayshaun Prince was the team’s starting small forward, and I welcomed the prospect of having a play-making small forward that actually showed the ability to make three-pointers in college — shooting 48 percent in his final season. And Anderson was crafty around the basket and found ways to get to the rim in spite of his obvious lack of athleticism.

And then he was “Spurred.” Or should I say “Popped”?

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is known for shaping his players to fit his system and philosophy and he made no exceptions with Anderson. Gone were Anderson’s days of being on the ball and being the primary ball handler. Instead, Popovich used Anderson as more of a power forward with limited on-ball usage. While Anderson’s offensive game was forced to change, he also developed a knack for being a high-level on-ball defender.

Anderson’s signing with the Grizzlies was a bit of a surprise, and his tenure with the home team started off a little rocky. After an early achilles injury that limited him in the preseason, Anderson found himself coming off the bench in a reserve role. He would struggle to find his way with the team even after gaining the starting spot after the now-departed Chandler Parsons began to experience knee soreness.

As of late, Anderson has picked up his game, and despite his nickname, “Slow Mo,” he has quickly become a necessary component of lineups that lead to success. He is far from being a great shooter — especially from three-point range, only shooting 27 percent on the season — but Anderson has a knack for scoring around the basket and has been much more assertive since being allowed to be on the ball more this season.

Defensively, he has been outstanding. Though he’s Limited athletically, Anderson’s high basketball IQ, combined with his elite-level hand instincts and reactions, allows him to work angles and create turnovers. He was one of the team’s best rebounders during a crucial period where rebounding was a prime need, and his ability to find and feed rookie stud Jaren Jackson Jr. is unmatched among his team-members. (Not to mention, it brings cheer to the fanbase that wants to see Jackson emerge as more of a scoring threat.)

In Wednesday night’s 96-86 victory over his former Spurs team, Anderson didn’t have a monster game, or even a revenge game, but he had the type of Kyle Anderson game that we have come to expect — one that’s relatively low scoring, mixed with timely plays and defensive highlights. This was most evident in a highlight-reel lob pass and finish by his favorite target, Jackson Jr., late in the second quarter, and an insane block of a Bryn Forbes shot with 4:47 remaining in the game.

That sequence was typical Kyle Anderson, as he missed a free throw on one end, got back on defense for a chase down block, and started off a break that led to a Mike Conley layup that made the score 91-77, basically sealing the deal on the victory.

Anderson will never be a knockdown shooter, he won’t blow by anyone on his way to the basket or amaze you with his offensive aesthetics, but he does things that pass the eye test — and fill the spreadsheet — that contribute to winning. When the Grizzlies are making a run and playing good basketball, it’s more than likely that Anderson will be on the floor. Regardless of his deficiencies, he’s looks to be a player you would want to keep throughout this transitional season and the imminent rebuild.

His game won’t wow you, although you will get a kick out of noticing that he actually appears faster during slow motion replays than in real time. Go look it up. It’s a real thing and it’s low-key awesome. Sort of like what he brings to the table for this team.

Don’t blink, (well you actually might have time to blink a lot) because Slow-Mo is making things happen faster than you think!