Grizzlies win season-high eighth straight game, sweep two-game home series with Spurs
The Memphis Grizzlies (28-13) defeated the San Antonio Spurs (13-29) 135-129 for their season-high eighth straight victory. Memphis owns the longest active winning streak in the NBA.
Ja Morant scored 38 points in 32 minutes in his return after missing the previous two games with right thigh soreness. Jaren Jackson Jr. posted his fifth double-double of the season with 21 points and a career-high tying 12 rebounds, and Steven Adams notched his 12th double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds to go with a team-high five assists. Desmond Bane added 18 points, while Tyus Jones had 16 points off the bench.
Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 24 points after he was sidelined Monday against the Grizzlies with left hamstring tightness. Tre Jones registered 22 points. Jakob Poeltl had 17 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, while Zach Collins tallied 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Memphis outscored San Antonio 44-25 in the second quarter, setting a new franchise record for points in any second quarter. The Grizzlies, averaging 39.2 second quarter points in seven January games, had 43 in the second period on Jan. 5 at Orlando and Jan. 8 vs. Utah. The Grizzlies scored the first 11 points of the second frame after trailing by five at the end of the first quarter and led 76-62 at halftime.
The Grizzlies, who recorded their second-highest point total of the season, shot 51.5 percent from the field and 60.9 percent from 3-point range. Memphis scored 30 second chance points and converted 12 of its 15 second chance opportunities.
San Antonio whittled a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit down to 130-127 with 2:41 remaining, but Adams blocked a Doug McDermott finger roll and finished the ensuing possession with a putback to put Memphis back ahead by two possessions.
Memphis moved to 15 games above .500 and recorded its second-best start in franchise history at the halfway point of a season.
Including Monday’s win over San Antonio, the Grizzlies earned their eighth straight victory in the overall series with the Spurs, their longest active winning streak over any single opponent.
The Grizzlies will play the Indiana Pacers for their first matchup of the season at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Fans can tune in on Bally Sports Southeast or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.