NBA 30.12

[Hosila]

10-5-1 after yesterday ...

Grizzlies vs Spurs

It is strange to even use these words in the same sentence, but the defending champions have been struggling over the last couple of weeks. Some of it is because of injuries, but Gregg Popovich`s tactics to rest his aging players also plays its part. Not only because the Spurs are not playing their best players every night, but they have also been unable to build any kind of team chemistry. And it matters, even for the Spurs, especially in the Western Conference. The Spurs are therefore only 2-6 over the last 8 games and to be honest, they are not playing good at all. Even in games they have won, they have been looking shaky. Gregg Popovich calling the Spurs “soft”, underlines their recent problems. The team not responding to that with a better performance is a worrying sign.

The Grizzlies are playing without Zach Randolph and have lost 3 home games in a row. Cosnidering that they just had a 22-game home game winning streak ending earlier this season, it is a shocking turn of events. One could see it as a trend that will continue, but we like to see it as a locker room bulletin board material for the Grizzlies, that will lead to extra energy and motivation to jump on the Spurs. Tony Allen is back after missing few games and he will help the Grizzlies to get back to their early season form.

The Spurs won`t have Tony Parker or Kawhi Leonard again tonight. You could argue they are 2 of the most important players in the Spurs lineup. Tony Parker is the engine of the Spurs offense and Kawhi Leonard just brings so much stuff at both ends of the floor. The Grizzlies are still an excellent home team and we expect them to win this game tonight. Take Memphis to cover -2.5 points with 3/5 units.

GL to followers!