Grizzlies Manage Minutes as Edey and Coward Prepare for Spurs Clash
The Memphis Grizzlies are set to face the San Antonio Spurs, with center Zach Edey and rookie guard Cedric Coward both slated to take the court. However, their minutes will be closely monitored by head coach Tuomas Iisalo, reflecting a strategic approach to balancing performance and player health. This matchup promises to be a pivotal point for the Grizzlies, who are looking to turn their season around.
Injury Report
Spurs
Victor Wembanyama: Out – Left calf strain
Stephon Castle: Out – Left hip flexor soreness
Dylan Harper: Out – Left calf strain
David Jones Garcia: Questionable – G League (Two-way)
Jordan McLaughlin: Out – Hamstring tightness
Riley Minix: Questionable – G League (Two-way)
Grizzlies
Ja Morant: Out – Right calf strain
Ty Jerome: Out – Right calf strain
Scotty Pippen Jr.: Out – Right toe surgery recovery
Brandon Clarke: Out – Right knee surgery recovery
Javon Small: Out – Left toe soreness
Game Details
The game is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, at 7 p.m. CST, taking place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. This nationally televised event will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, while local fans can tune in on WMFS-FM.
Team Context and Recent Performance
The Grizzlies enter this contest with a 4-10 record, grappling with a four-game losing streak that has marred their recent road trip, which included defeats in New York, Boston, and Cleveland. This clash against the Spurs marks the first of four meetings between these two teams this season, with additional matchups set for December 2, January 6, and March 25.
Historically, the Grizzlies have dominated the Spurs, winning the season series for five consecutive years and boasting a 16-2 record against them since 2021. However, San Antonio did claim a narrow victory in their last encounter, edging Memphis 130-128 at FedEx Forum on March 1 of last season. In that game, Jaren Jackson Jr. delivered an impressive 42-point performance, but it was Stephon Castle’s 24 points off the bench that propelled the Spurs to victory.
Betting Lines
According to DraftKings, the betting line reflects a competitive matchup:
Spread: Spurs -5.5 (-115), Grizzlies +5.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Spurs -230, Grizzlies +190
Total: 233.5 (Over -108, Under -112)
Projected Starters
Grizzlies
F Jaylen Wells
F Jaren Jackson Jr.
C Zach Edey
G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
G Cedric Coward
Spurs
F Julian Champagnie
F Harrison Barnes
C Luke Kornet
G De’Aaron Fox
G Devin Vassell
Coach’s Perspective on Player Management
Reflecting on the strategy for Edey and Coward, coach Tuomas Iisalo emphasized the importance of managing their playing time. “It’s a challenging situation because both guys have done a great job for us. We would like to play them a lot,” he stated. “However, we have to be smart because their future is also very important for us.”
As the Grizzlies prepare to battle the Spurs, all eyes will be on Edey and Coward, whose contributions could be vital in breaking the team’s current slump.
