GT: Spurs vs. Grizzlies

[Nolan]

When: Dec 1st, 2017 6:00 PM MT
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis TN

2nd game of a home and home against the Grizzlies and tonight should be a repeat performance of our last game against them.

If LMA has another huge game this should be another somewhat easy win!

Go Spurs!!

[ducler]

[G R E Y]

Missed the first Q, but we led the whole rest of the way, and improved on some key aspects lacking in the previous game, namely better tenacity and positioning in rebounding and much better overall D, with far more stingy shot contesting.

Tony's so crafty with his drives that he completely disrupts the D and in garnering the attention of three to four players, he passes out cleanly to where he knows Manu or LMA are, beautiful basketball. LMA with 22/6/1 on 7-17, with 3-5 from 3 and 5-6 on FTs. Slacker/jk. I love it when Gasol (8/8, 2 blocks) at the arc finds LMA down low. Rough O night for Green, but he contributed with rebounds, assists, steals. Very solid overall performances by Anderson, Mills, Forbes and Gay. Can we figure out how to clone Manu, please? It's ridiculous what he's achieving, never mind 'for his age'.

Looking at the game stats, were were pretty evenly matched in most categories, except the 18 point advantage in 3s and eight points more from FTs (ahem where we missed TEN shots...?! I had a HS coach who made us do suicide drills after missed FTs at the end of practice, so I get twitchy about stats like these. I'm sure Pop's a lot nicer).

My stream died for a couple of minutes when we got up 15, and by the time it worked again we were up by 23 with the reserves in, so with the final few minutes not being the cleanest basketball, I found myself wishing to have seen Pop's thought bubbles during that stretch.

I think those final minutes affected the overall stats being closer to those of the Grizz, but I don't know how to isolate stats that are based on what roster at a given time stretch gets whichever results. Anyway, the guys simply have to play, and it was good to have them get a more prolonged opportunity. Everybody got minutes. Murray is gifted physically and with raw talent, just a matter of how dedicated he is in putting it together. Feels like with more limited minutes, he's rushing to prove himself and plays outside of the team concept, more so on O tonight. I appreciated Lauvergne getting a shot early, thought he'd get more than his reb average, but it's good to have a big body to force Grizz to adjust to. How about that incredible pass?

It was a good road win, with better effort and attention to D and rebs, and a soul-destroying 16-1 rally that showed incisors to upcoming opponents. Spurs have improved to 5-5 on the road. Let's keep the away winning streak going.

We've got a challenging back-to-back coming up. No idea which OKC team will show up, but have to be prepared so as to not rely on their imploding. More dangerous is the steady improvement of the Pistons, this on the second night. We'll need consistent excellence and pride to defend home court.

I love this team. Go Spurs!

[Nolan]

Only caught the second half of this one but another solid performance against a team that isn't as bad as some people make them out to be.

Defensive effort was excellent, we were in their heads and all over the passing lanes.

Loved what I seen from Rudy last night on both ends. Made some great defensive plays both with his hops and his smarts. Attacked the rim at will and was just super effective from the floor.

Big guys looked great once. Loved the Gasol to LMA high low game, the Grizz refused to put Marc on LMA so we just continually abused whoever the Grizz threw at LMA in the low block.

[Nolan]

Also an interesting little LMA stat in his last two games he's 6/8 from three.

I know it's only 8 attempts but his stroke looks different, much more fluid and a lot quicker. I've also noticed the quicker shooting motion on his usual mid range shots. Looks like he's been working on eliminating that little hitch he has in his jumper and it really is helping his shooting touch.