Spurs and Grizzlies Face Off In Key Western Conference Battle
The San Antonio Spurs take on the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Sunday afternoon.

The Spurs (28-36) come into the contest with a chance to put a dent in their current three-game deficit behind the eighth-seeded Grizzlies. San Antonio got their scrimmage games off to a good start by toppling the Sacramento Kings, 129-120, on Friday night. DeMar DeRozan paced the Spurs with a 27-point, 10-assist double-double that also included five rebounds. Derrick White supplied 26 points, eight boards, five assists, one steal and one block. Rudy Gay finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one block. Lonnie Walker managed 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Dejounte Murray collected 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Spurs will be without Bryn Forbes (quadriceps) for Sunday's contest. Patty Mills (rest) is likely to take the floor after sitting for Friday's restart opener against the Kings. Marco Belinelli (foot) will be listed as doubtful. Trey Lyles and LaMarcus Aldridge both opted out of the restart and are not in Orlando.

The Grizzlies (32-34) didn't get the defense of their No. 8 seed off to a good start Friday, as they lost their first scrimmage game by a 140-135 margin to the Portland Trail Blazers in overtime. Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 33 points, adding three rebounds, one steal and one block. Ja Morant forged a 22-point, 11-assist double-double that also included five rebounds and one steal. Brandon Clarke followed with 21 points and also provided seven boards, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas recorded 16 points, four boards and one assist. Dillon Brooks supplied 15 points, four boards, four assists, one block and one steal.

The Grizzlies will continue without Tyus Jones (knee) for Sunday's contest.

Sunday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Grizzlies hold a 2-1 series lead, having notched 113-109 and 134-121 wins on Nov. 11 and Jan. 10, respectively.
Posted on: 8/1/2020 7:48 PM