Can San Antonio do the unthinkable and take the top seed from Golden State? We're continuing to head in that direction as the Warriors have lost their tight grip on the Western Conference. However, Memphis has accounted for one of the Spurs' recent losses and are attempting to become a solidified playoff contender. They're currently six games clear of the eighth seed heading into Thursday night's action. Tipoff is set for 8:30 PM Eastern time, and it will be broadcast on FSN Southeast and FSN Southwest.
Grizzlies (40-31, 3rd Southwest, 36-35 ATS)
Memphis had their four-game winning streak snapped by new orleans last time out, 95-82. While they had a better field goal percentage than their opponent, making seven less free throws and being outrebounded 51-42 were the biggest differences in the contest. They'll hope to avoid stringing together a long losing skid again -- before winning four consecutive, and they lost five straight.
Tony Allen (9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) didn't play against New Orleans after suffering a left knee injury in the latest meeting with San Antonio. He had eight points in that contest, and he appears likely to play in this one. Mike Conley (20 ppg, 6.3 apg) led the team in that previous meeting with 19 points.
Spurs (54-16, 1st Southwest, 37-32-1 ATS)
San Antonio hopes that the third time is a charm against Memphis -- they haven't been able to beat them in two attempts this season. Going 4-3 in their last seven is still stable as we head to the finish line, but they'll have to be kicking themselves for not gaining more ground on Golden State.
Giving up 3-pointers has been an issue as of late -- opponents have shot 42.4 percent from downtown in their last five games.
David Lee (7.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg) didn't play in their last game against Minnesota with a foot injury but should be back in this contest. He was limited to just two points and three boards in the previous meeting with Memphis.
San Antonio is a big 8.5-point favorite, and the total O/U is set at 198 points. Despite getting the straight-up wins recently, the Grizzlies are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five meetings with the Spurs.
