San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks, Moneyline

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How to Watch San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies

Head-to-Head: San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies

SAS: Control Pace

The San Antonio Spurs, for all of their advancements, almost seems like a holdover from a different era of basketball. That’s not a bad thing though, it just means that the Spurs need to control the pace of the upstart Grizzlies.

Gregg Popovich’s team finds success by slowing the game down and controlling their opponents’ pace. In their victories this season, San Antonio has forced 13.4 turnovers per game.

The Spurs love to get in the paint and they have one of the league’s best pick-and-roll operators in Demar Derozan. If they can draw this into a half-court battle, they’ll have an excellent chance of advancing.

Spurs Key Player: (G-F) Demar Derozan

GOT EM! ?@DeMar_DeRozan working the patented double pump fake to perfection ? pic.twitter.com/chIfYFx5rb

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 13, 2021

Demar Derozan is one of the Spurs’ most experienced players. If they want to proceed in the Play-In, he’ll need to have a significant affect on the match.

Now in his eleventh year in the league, Derozan has averaged 21.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in his third year with the Spurs.

Few on the Grizzlies have the size or athleticism to match Derozan whether he chooses to attack from the perimeter or in the post.

MEM: Ball Movement, Conversion

The Memphis Grizzlies are still a young team, but in victories, they come together due to their fantastic effort as a unit.

The Grizzlies are fourth in assists, fourth in rebounds, and first in steals per game. When their play grows selfish, they struggle to find baskets and settle for difficult shots. Against an organized defense, the Grizz must create good opportunities to offset their average shooting.

Ja Morant and Kyle Anderson create a lot of Memphis’ opportunities due to either their penetration or being the point of distribution. The Spurs will surely key in on them.

Grizzlies Key Player: (G) Ja Morant

1⃣2⃣ didn’t even land before he hit ’em with the celebration ?@JaMorant | @memgrizz pic.twitter.com/n4PFPk2Tvl

— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) May 14, 2021

All eyes will be on Ja Morant in this Play-In matchup. He failed to lead his team to the playoffs last year, but he’ll be focused on making the next step in his career this season.

Morant has improved this season, averaging 19.1 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game on 44.9% shooting from the field.

The former Rookie of the Year has a lot of ability but will need to make the right decisions as to when to take it himself and when to find others. He’s a game-changing force though, with nearly unmatched speed in this matchup.