The Memphis Grizzlies (27-13) held off a fourth quarter rally from the San Antonio Spurs (13-28) to record their season-high tying seventh consecutive victory, the NBA’s longest active winning streak.
Memphis’ last six victories in the streak have come as a result of sweeping three straight back-to-back sets. The Grizzlies swept a home back-to-back with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings from Dec. 31-Jan. 1, won consecutive road matchups with the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic from Jan. 4-5 and turned back the Utah Jazz last night.
Tyus Jones started his second straight game in place of Ja Morant (right thigh soreness) and led the Grizzlies with 24 points and six assists, reaching 20 points in his fourth straight start. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 16 points and five blocks, setting new franchise records for consecutive games with at least two blocks (11) and consecutive games with at least three blocks (6).
Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks scored 15 points each for Memphis, which placed seven players in double figures. Steven Adams recorded his 11th double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Tre Jones, like his older brother, also led his team in points (18) and assists (7). Josh Richardson had 16 points and Malaki Branham chipped in with 12 points to lead a 52-point effort from the Spurs’ bench.
Memphis is off to the second-best 40-game start in franchise history, behind only their 29-11 record to start the 2014-15 campaign. The Grizzlies improved to 17-3 at home, the NBA’s best home winning percentage (.850).
The Grizzlies carried a five-point lead into the fourth quarter but found themselves down five after the Spurs opened the period on an 11-2 run. With the game tied at 109, Memphis went on a 7-0 burst to wrestle away the lead for good and keep San Antonio winless this season when trailing entering the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies limited the Spurs to 1-of-10 shooting from 3-point range in the fourth quarter after San Antonio shot 45.5 percent from deep in the first three frames.
Memphis earned its eighth straight win in the head-to-head series with San Antonio, the Grizzlies’ longest active winning streak over a single opponent.
The Grizzlies will finish their stretch of three home games in four nights when they host the Spurs again at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at FedExForum. Fans can tune into Bally Sports Southeast or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.
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