Now that's more like it. After a painful loss against the Mavericks in Dallas in the front end of a road back-to-back, the Spurs came out looking for blood and were able to out-execute and out-hustle the Grizzlies en route to a 83 - 73 road win in the battle of South West Division teams missing their best players. The final score doesn't really reflect accurately the dominance with which the Spurs handled a Memphis team coming off a 3-game losing streak. Matt Bonner led the Spurs with 15 points (5-9 from 3 ) while Kawhi Leonard played one of the best games of his young career chipping in 12 points to go with his 10 rebounds and 2 steals. O.J. Mayo was the game's leading scorer with 17. Analysis after the jump.
It was clear that the Spurs had come to play from the 1st quarter. While they struggled containing Marreese Speights to start the game, the good guys' aggresive defense and solid offense resulted in a 17- point lead in the 2nd quarter. After a mini Memphis run, the Spurs went into halftime leading by only 10 points, but were able to manage that lead in the 3rd, never allowing the Grizzlies to close the deficit to less than 9 points. Memphis proceeded to implode under the pressure of San Antonio's defense and some adverse calls by the officials and the Spurs were able to pounce at the right time and secure a 20-point lead going into the final quarter.
I guess the easy way to explain how the Spurs won this one would be to point out to two stats: Offensive rebounding and 3-point shooting. The Spurs dominated the Grizzlies on the boards in the first half, getting 11 of their 14 offensive boards on that time period. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 4 and Danny Green and DeJuan Blair joined the party getting 2 offensive rebounds each. Those extra possessions allowed a hot shooting Spurs team (5-10 3-pointers in the first half) to get that 17- point lead they would go on to use as a buffer against the Grizzlies' charges. The other big factor was defense. The Spurs packed the paint and dared Memphis to beat them from mid-range. Duncan handled Gasol well and the perimeter defenders did a good job of denying easy dribble penetration while forcing turnovers. Kawhi Leonard in particular was fantastic on D, harassing Rudy Gay into one of the worst games in his career by not allowing the Grizzlies small forward to get to his spots.
Speaking of Leonard, the rookie from San Diego State had probably his best game as a Spur. The boxscore can't really show how big Kawhi was on this win. As I mentioned, his defense on Rudy Gay was fantastic even when the bigger Grizzly forward tried posting him up, but Kawhi made his biggest mark on this game by hustling for every loose ball on both sides of the court and showing off his ability to get offensive rebounds. Leonard's shortcomings as an offensive player are well documented, but if he keeps crashing the boards like he did tonight his bad ball-handling and shooting won't hurt the team as much. Kawhi also deflected at least 5 passes on defense and had almost a Manu-esque omnipresence for long stretches of this game. After a bad couple of games it's great to see the rook getting his groove back. He even smiled in the 3rd quarter!
Danny Green was also his disruptive self on D, deflecting passes, pressuring ball handlers and simply being a pest. He did struggle with O.J. Mayo in the second quarter but both he and Kawhi led a Spurs' defense that allowed only .370 FG% and a total of 73 points to a Memphis team that was averaging 94.3 points per game on .452 % from the floor. Part of the Grizzlies offensive woes in this game can be attributed to unusually bad nights from Mark Gasol and Rudy Gay, but make no mistake: the Spurs played some of the best defense I've seen from them in this current incarnation in what could be called a "must win" game, if there was such a thing so early in the season. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter are providing the length and athleticism that was lacking last season and performances like this one make me believe that the Spurs can become a top ten defensive team if they are committed to it.
PtR's favorite whipping boy, Matt Bonner, also had a good game. The +/- Wizard did it again, this time finishing with a team-leading +21. Matty also hit some big shots: a buzzer-beating, high-arching 3 after what can only be described as an embarrassing attempt to drive to the basket and a banked 3-pointer to stop the bleeding after a Grizzlies run cut the lead to 13 at the beginning of the 4th quarter come to mind. What surprised me about Bonner in this one was his ability to find the right place to be on the secondary break. He had a couple of open shots simply by trailing the fastbreak and waiting for the Grizzlies to hurry back and pack the paint to avoid penetration. He probably does it all the time, but tonight is when I first noticed it. He also had this otstanding quote after the game:
"Firing them up as always. It's all about the shooter's mentality. You treat every shot independent of what happened to the last shot, whether it went in, it didn't go in, whether you banked it in. It doesn't matter ... step in and fire."
As for the Grizzlies, it's clear that the team misses Zach Randolph. With Rudy Gay struggling and Mark Gasol in foul trouble, the team had to depend on Mike Conley, Marreese Speights and O.J. Mayo for offense. That's not going to cut it in the Western Conference. If Randolph is out for the season as was rumored, the kind of home loss they suffered in the hands of the Spurs will be one of many.
Well that about covers it. It's hard to get too excited about a win against a Grizzlies team coming off a 3-game losing streak, missing Zach Randolph and getting a combined 8 points on 3-18 from the field from Gay and Gasol, but this are the types of wins the team needs right now: convincing victories on the road, based on hustle and solid defense.
Random thoughts:
Three Stars:
3 - Tony Parker: 5 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds
Tony kept everything copacetic, as Pop would say. He didn't score the ball well but any time the Wee Frenchman has a 10+ assist game, he gets a place on the Three Stars from me.
2 - Matt Bonner: 15 points, 5-10 from 3
Winter Shoes hit his shots tonight and had an overall positive influence in the outcome of the game. His timely 3-pointers helped the team resist Memphis' comeback attempts. If he could only play like this in the playoffs.
1 - Kawhi Leonard: 12 points, 10 rebounds (4 offensive), 2 steals
The rook was everywhere tonight and his aggressiveness on defense seemed to rub off on his teammates. Let's hope he can build on this performance and continues to shine. If he develops a 3-point shot, he could be a franchise cornerstone going forward.
Up next: the Rockets are visiting the AT&T Center. Another win against a division rival is just what the team needs to start the string of 3 home games.
1 recs | 69 comments
Good win tonight. The Grizz couldn’t find a basket, and turned the ball over a lot, but these are their problems. Bonner and RJ shot behind the arc well, and KLeo and Danny hustled as usual. Our youngsters became comfortable on the road, which spells trouble for the rest of the league.
Kondor - January 31, 2012
It does if they can keep it up, to be sure.
Big50 - January 31, 2012
I think that win or loss. Pop showing his confidence in them in Dallas gave the young bench a huge boost. CIA Pop at it again. Sometimes when you lose, win you do.
Spurs Yoda - January 31, 2012 via mobile
We win the battle of offensive Rebounds thanks to Kawhi and Green … Both play Great defense
cuentaluis1 - January 31, 2012
I juuuust finished watching the game. Wasn’t pretty but a win is a win. KL was fantastic. Even the Memphis broadcaster was shocked, he got himself on some many deflections and rebounds, that was nice to see. In the 3rd, the Spurs finally caught a break from the refs, especially after the DAL game.
In this recap i am missing a good work on Pop. The Bench Comeback against the Mavs was written all over this game, with the effort and hustle. The spurs outrebounded and out-stole a team that does it the best in the NBA. We beat them in their own game
ironm8 - January 31, 2012
The team definitely showed a different attitude last night. I just hope it wasn’t a mirage and this kind of performance, especially on D, becomes the norm instead of the outlier.
Edg5 - January 31, 2012
Tiago was more revered than Marc Gasol was when both players played in the Europe. I’m even quite surprised that some people here are doubting Tiago’s offensive prowess.
Reylan - January 31, 2012
Yup.
Fred Silva - January 31, 2012
Doggydogg is still arguing with me about this on my Mavs recap. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Fred Silva - January 31, 2012
Marc has showed that he can excel in the NBA while Tiago is just starting to figure it out. On defense I think Gasol is the better shot blocker and post defender but Tiago is already a better at defending the pick and roll. The next step for Splots is contributing consistently and not fouling so much.
Edg5 - January 31, 2012
I agree. We need him to stay out of foul trouble. When he picks up the two early ones, not only does he have to come out but it forces Pop to play the Blair/Bonner combination. It’s a lose, lose.
Fred Silva - January 31, 2012
I think playing in the NBA a couple of years earlier than Tiago has served Marc well. Hopefully Splitter can catch up from a stats and contribution standpoint.
silverandblack_davis - January 31, 2012
Gasol was fat and weak when he played in Europe.
doggydogworld - January 31, 2012
Marc Gasol has never been weak. He still isn’t a trim human.
He has more Mark Eaton in him than David Robinson.
Bushka - January 31, 2012
It’s a wonderful life.
indiancharlie - January 31, 2012
They were 6-2 at home. I think that warrants excitement, especially given our troubles on the road this season.
Fred Silva - January 31, 2012
Fred, I must say that the optimism you’ve be throwing around of late is very….enjoyable. Keep it up friend.
Big50 - January 31, 2012
Don’t draw attention to it, Biggie! Just enjoy it quietly so as not to rock the boat.
Seriously though, I’m guessing that Fred’s only been in a bad mood the last few years because the defense has been so lousy. He’s a big subscriber to the Wilco Axim of Defense:
J.R. Wilco - January 31, 2012
Any road win is exciting this year. Love seeing it against Dr. Allen, especially.
SleepCrack - January 31, 2012 via mobile
This
Spurs Yoda - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Nice work Edg5. I think anytime Parker has less than 10 points and we win that is something to get stoked about. This team reminds me a bit of last year’s team in the fact that they look unbeatable when they play their game. The difference being this year’s team shows flashes of lock down defense that was no where to be found last year.
Also, Memphis, let the fans (like us) complain about the refs. That’s what we’re here for….among other things.
Big50 - January 31, 2012
Thanks 50. I think this year’s team simply has better perimeter defenders. Kawhi and Green were everywhere last night. The days of funneling guards on to Timmy and watching him solve everything are over. Guys need to stay with their man. Fortunately, this year the Spurs have guys capable of doing that.
Edg5 - January 31, 2012
I love the young talent on this team.
Good to see for the spurs.
westtxscrub - January 31, 2012
ESPN Rumor
Ed (dfjmed) - January 31, 2012
YEAHHHH
spursfan87 - January 31, 2012
Well, as lightly as he was clapping last night, I don’t know what “CLEARED” involves, but at least this isn’t BAD news.
J.R. Wilco - January 31, 2012
the glass is always half emtpy isnt it JRW? :-)
Spurs Yoda - January 31, 2012
Only when it comes to Manu’s health, SY. =]
J.R. Wilco - February 1, 2012
He didn’t have the wrap or split on his hand so that is great to see. he could be just tentative to clap hard or maybe he just likes to golf clap? LOL
gunnin' gervin - January 31, 2012
Since when does Manu do ANYTHING tentatively or politely where basketball is concerned.
J.R. Wilco - February 1, 2012
LMAO
True
gunnin' gervin - February 1, 2012
YES!
westtxscrub - January 31, 2012
Manu!!!!
Dark Black - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Rotoworld posted it this morning. Dont believe it is to be a rumor, but fact :-)t
Spurs Yoda - January 31, 2012 via mobile
SpursNation has it, quoting Pop. Manu’s out of the splint, shooting midrange shots lefty, likely to be cleared for one on one in a week or so. On track to return some time during the rodeo trip.
SpursColoredGlasses - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Good times. Too bad the team doesn’t really have any practice days in a compressed season. I hope he continues his utter annihilation of the league when he gets back.
Tim C. - January 31, 2012
T
Big50 - January 31, 2012
When I hear that he was going to be out 8 weeks …. I think that was wrong! is too much .. for that kind of injury
cuentaluis1 - January 31, 2012
--
DrumsInTheDeep - January 31, 2012
Good!
Ayatollah - January 31, 2012
Good news, the spurs have dipped down to 13th in pointa allowed
Dark Black - January 31, 2012 via mobile
According to basketball-reference.com, they’re 25th in FG% allowed, 18th in ORtg.
Tim C. - January 31, 2012
(I’m such a homer.) I think we should kick out all those games on the road where the teams made EVERY long, contested two. Those games should not count against us. We played good defense, we just kept running into ridiculous shooting.
Fred Silva - January 31, 2012
However, one gigantic improvement over last year is that they’re 13th in opponents 3-point percentage. You know, as opposed to 22nd last season.
Tim C. - January 31, 2012
Kawhi and Green recover well.
Fred Silva - January 31, 2012
And 22 was the highpoint. Most of the year they were 27-29.
Big50 - January 31, 2012
yup. Maybe that means they were doing a lot better job towards the end of the season, and that carried over to this season.
Tim C. - January 31, 2012
Kawhi Five-O and the Greensleeves gang haven’t hurt either!
J.R. Wilco - January 31, 2012
While in the last two games they allowed 14th offense Dallas score 7 points more than their average and 18th Memphis was held to 20 below their average. Their next 4 games include Memphis again, along with #4 offense Houston and #3 Oklahoma City; with the 4th game against the league’s #29 offense in the Hornets. After that the Spurs finally start playing a number of the ten worst offensive teams.
Alamo - January 31, 2012
I think the next few games will provide a good opportunity to see if the team is really turning a corner in terms of defense. If the Spurs can keep the level of aggressiveness they showed last night, I think they could become a really good defensive team. I still want to see how well we handle post players, but if Kawhi and Green can keep playing at a high level, our perimeter defense should be vastly improved from last season.
Edg5 - January 31, 2012
Are we back in playoff contention?
spursfan87 - January 31, 2012
Yes. 6th seed, 2nd in the Southwest…today.
Ed (dfjmed) - January 31, 2012
Well, that means nothing. this is day-to-day situation.
ironm8 - January 31, 2012
Wait for it… wait for it…
Ed (dfjmed) - January 31, 2012
Too easy.
Tim C. - January 31, 2012
TWSS
SpursfanSteve - January 31, 2012
TWSS
SpursfanSteve - January 31, 2012
Leonard looked like Bruce Bowen Jr. out there last night!!! Rudy Gay was super frustrated and I was laughing the whole time at the way Leonard was getting under his skin
gunnin' gervin - January 31, 2012
Good stuff, Edg. I do think Leonard’s BBIQ is becoming an underrated part of his game. Teams most likely have scouted him after his string of nice games, leading to a new string but this time of bad games. He adjusted and now he’s contributing again.
/end of Leonard homerism
silverandblack_davis - January 31, 2012
Also, a ton of credit to the defensive scheme the team had going in. Looked like we wanted the Grizz to beat us outside (especially Conley), good thing their jumpers weren’t falling. I thought TP’s defense on Conley on the pick-and-rolls was great.
silverandblack_davis - January 31, 2012
Sebastian Pruiti has a nice little piece on Kawhi over on Grantland in his Rookie rankings.
If he can continue to improve his shot he could become really nasty on offense as well as on D.
:-D
Spurs Kiwi - February 1, 2012
Funny, how that’s one of his best assets, but he struggles with screens on defense……
grego21 - February 1, 2012
Fun game and the guys sort of surprised me with the effort!
Kawhi was fun to watch materializing everywhere for the rebound.
However, we didn’t score in the fourth quarter past the 6:00 minute mark!! :O Thats just bad and crazy even with a 20pt lead. We have to start doing better in fourth quarters.
LionZion - February 1, 2012
We stopped running the offense to milk the clock. It was the right move. We took the shot clock down to 8 seconds on every possession in the last 6 minutes, and ended up with lower percentage shots. Chalk it up to strategy, not a poor fourth quarter.
Fred Silva - February 1, 2012
Okay, I don’t remember. If that was the case, that makes it a little better.
Still a risk to not score at all for half the quarter imo, milking the clock or not. Well lets see tonight how our defense holds up against Scola and Rockets.
LionZion - February 1, 2012
There’s some kind of formula that works out when you have a big lead; at a certain point your opponent isn’t the other team anymore, it’s the clock.
Think Houston Oilers vs Buffalo Bills in ‘92. If they’d just started running the clock in the 2nd half and never made a single first down, the game would have ended before the Bills could have finished their comeback.
J.R. Wilco - February 1, 2012
Cleveland Cavs under Coach Fratello used to do this a lot, when they used to be decent.
grego21 - February 1, 2012
Yes, it’s a formula. It would be cool to get access to that. Hmm, with 6 minutes remaining, there are 360 seconds left. If we milk the clock and average 20 seconds per offensive possession, while they average 15, that gives each team about 10 possessions. If they came away with two points each possession, and we didn’t score at all, they have just enough possessions to tie the game, barring turnovers, etc. Given how ridiculously difficult it would be to average 2 pts per possession while holding your opponent to 0 over 20 possessions, milking the clock makes a lot of sense up 20 with 6 remaining.
Fred Silva - February 1, 2012
Well, didn’t you know that “Ridiculously Difficult” is my middle name?
J.R. Wilco - February 2, 2012
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