This is the first time since the 2016-2017 season that the Spurs have won the Southwest Division.
SAN ANTONIO — After a dominant win in Miami and a Rockets loss to the Bulls Monday, the Spurs have officially won the Southwest Division for the first time in nine seasons.
The Spurs made quick work of the Heat, going up by as many 30 points and ultimately winning 136-111.
Victor Wembanyama had 26 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked five shots. Stephon Castle tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Off the bench, Keldon Johnson finished with 21 points and six assists.
With 10 games left in the regular season, the Spurs are on a roll, winning 22 of their last 24 games, including six victories in a row. They sit comfortably in the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference at 54-18, trailing the Thunder (themselves riding a 12-game winning streak) by three games. They also lead the No. 3 seeded Lakers by eight games.
The win also secured the Southwest Division, making this San Antonio’s first time winning it since the 2016-17 season. Back then, they were in a stretch of seven division championships in eight seasons.
San Antonio looks to continue their hot streak against another Southwest Division foe, the 24-47 Memphis Grizzlies.
It’s been a forgettable season for Memphis, who have lost 11 of their last 12 games, their most recent a 39-point defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. Memphis currently sits at the No. 12 seed in the West with no chance at a playoff berth.
This hasn’t been the Grizzlies team of old, either; Ja Morant has only played 20 games this year, averaging just 19.5 points and 8.1 assists. Former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline.
Their starting lineup for their last game, where they were mauled by the Hawks: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells, Ty Jerome and Rayan Rupert. Those are names many casual NBA fans have never heard of.
The Spurs are 2-1 against the Grizzlies this season, the last meeting being a 106-105 win for Memphis on Jan. 6.
Wembanyama came off the bench that game and scored 30 points in 21 minutes. Julian Champagnie made five 3-pointers en route to 21 points. Other than those two, nobody on the team scored more than 15 points.
For Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 21 points in one of his last games as a Grizzly, Jock Landale had 21 points with nine rebounds, and Cam Spencer had 21 with eight rebounds and eight assists. Spencer also hit the game-winning jump shot with 36.5 seconds left.
De’Aaron Fox’s shot with about five seconds left was blocked by Santi Aldama, securing the 106-105 win for Memphis.
For what it’s worth, none of those guys mentioned will be playing for the Grizzlies in this game, as they’re either injured or traded.
The two Spurs wins, coming in November and December, respectively, were 10 and 7-point games. Wemby played in neither matchup.
The Spurs’ next five games are against teams with a record of .500 or worse (Memphis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Golden State and LA Clippers), so it’s very possible they’ll get their second double-digit win streak of the season.
How to watch
The game will be televised on FanDuel Southwest at 7 p.m. Wednesday. You can also listen to game action on WOAI 1200 and KXTN 1350.
Team stats leaders (as of Tuesday night)
- POINTS: Victor Wembanyama (24.3), De’Aaron Fox (18.9), Stephon Castle (16.5)
- REBOUNDS: Wembanyama (11.2), Luke Kornet (6.3), Julian Champagnie (5.7)
- ASSISTS: Castle (7.1), Fox (6.3), Dylan Harper (3.8)
- BLOCKS: Wembanyama (3.0), Kornet (1.0), Champagnie (0.4)
- POINTS: Ty Jerome (19.7 in 15 games), Ja Morant (19.5 in 20 games), Santi Aldama (14 in 43 games)
- REBOUNDS: Aldama (6.7), Cedric Coward (6.2), GG Jackson (4.2 in 48 games)
- ASSISTS: Morant (8.1), Jerome (5.7), Cam Spencer (5.4)
- BLOCKS: Jackson (0.8), Aldama (0.7), Coward (0.4)
Injury report
As of Tuesday evening, De’Aaron Fox (back) and Luke Kornet (knee) are listed out on the injury report.
For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant (elbow), Ty Jerome (ankle) and Jaylen Wells (toe) are all out. Javon Small (back) and Jahmai Mashack (ankle) are questionable.
Five more things to know
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In three games against the Grizzlies, Harrison Barnes has averaged 18.7 points a game, including a 31-point game on Dec. 2.
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The Grizzlies allow the seventh-most points a game at 119.1. Ironically, the Spurs average 119.2 points a game, third in the league.
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Memphis allows the fifth-most 3-pointers a game at 14.1. The Spurs make 13.6 a game, 14th in the league.
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Twenty-nine different players have suited up for the Grizzlies this season, more than any team this season.
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The only two players to have played more than 60 games for Memphis is Jaylen Wells (69 games) and Cam Spencer (67 games).