Harrison Barnes saves the Spurs against the Grizzlies

San Antonio can thank Harrison Barnes for this one! Involved in a complicated away game Victor Vembanyama and Stephon Castle, the Spurs were able to pick up the win by finishing with a cannonball spurt by the unstoppable Harrison Barnes to win 111-101.

Because if the Grizzlies are still orphans of Ja Morant, and are still waiting to see their rookie Ty Jerome in action in an official match, Tuomas Iisal’s men delivered 45 coherent minutes before breaking down in the final. With the return of Zach Eddy and the contributions of Jock Landale, Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. (victim of an early-game left ankle injury), Memphis was able to use Wemby’s absence to deal with the Texans in the paint.

“Windmill” for De’Aaron Fox!

Enough to allow the Grizzlies to stay in the game at halftime (49-47) and even take the lead after three quarters thanks to hot shooting by Cam Spencer and three 3-pointers by Cedric Coward (86-87). The first trigger came from Harrison Barnes midway through the fourth quarter, when he boosted Devin Vassell’s counter on Jock Landale with an authoritative dunk in transition to give his team a boost (97-93).

Two 3-point baskets in quick succession by Vince Williams and Cedric Coward put Memphis back in the lead for the last time (100-101). Because he continued his show behind Harrison Barnes with a layup, a mid-range stepback and a 3-pointer to leave the Grizzlies KO! De’Aaron Fox took care of the final bouquet with a sublime “windmill” on the counterattack, and San Antonio won its 10th victory of the season!

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=mivCzGGhIls

WHAT TO REMEMBER

De’Aaron Fox leaves his “Mr. Clutch” costume to Harrison Barnes. If the Spurs leader was worthy of his 26 points, the hero of the game was Harrison Barnes, his former Kings teammate, who in turn assumed the mantle of “Mr. Clutch” to save San Antonio from a misstep. Apart from his drive and dunk which boosted the morale of the troops, his final was almost breathtaking!

No Wembies, no soucia. We could have feared that the Spurs would dominate the game without their leader to protect the rim, and that was the case, especially in the rebounding battle (59 shots to 38). Mitch Johnson’s men, however, were able to get things right throughout the match on both ends of the court and the late action showed it, between Devin Vassell’s counter and Harrison Barnes’ three inside baskets, including his dunk that started this somewhat crazy end to the match.

Cruel for Memphis. In a rather delicate situation, the Grizzlies were not far from returning to victory. In the absence of several key players, Tuomas Iisal’s men were in the game for a long time and all looked mobilized, until Harrison Barnes gave them everything. Upon arrival, it was the ninth defeat in ten matches which was very damaging to morale.

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.