Spurs 109, Grizzlies 98

If the Memphis Grizzlies could put four quarters together they might finally end their losing streak.  They went a long way toward doing that Friday at San Antonio, but faded in the fourth quarter of a 109-98 loss.

The Grizzlies (4-12) began the third quarter strong and while they allowed a run by the Spurs in that period, an 8-0 spurt that stretched their lead to double figures, the Grizzlies recovered for a 10-0 run of their own.  They played well out of halftime before running into trouble about four minutes into the third, just as they had against Utah.  The Spurs (9-6) led by as many as 14 in the third before the Grizzlies began their charge, primarily due to the play of Roger Mason, Jr., who scored 14 in the period.

Still, these Grizzlies don't know how to quit when they are facing a deficit.  O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay each hit big baskets in the fourth after the Spurs looked like they would put the game away again.  Unlike the other night when they could never get the deficit under five points, the Grizzlies made some progress.  They got to within three points this time.

Mayo scored 32 and Gay continued his recent resurgence with 26 points, but they couldn't offset the effect of Tony Parker's return for the Spurs, as he scored 15 and provided an emotional lift to the Spurs.  It was the third straight game in which the Grizzlies had faced an All-Star making his return from injury, after facing Utah's Deron Williams on Wednesday and the Spurs' Manu Ginobili on Monday.

The Grizzlies really need to start thinking about defending the perimeter.  It's not completely their fault because their opponents are setting solid screens and making it difficult to get through the lane, but they still need to make sure they know exactly where the shooters are.  It was especially frustrating to see Mason get open looks after what he did to the Grizzlies on Monday.  Mason finished with 20 points, making 4-of-6 from 3-point range.

The Grizzlies should have a much better chance of winning tonight when they host Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City.  The Thunder have struggled to only two wins so far in their first season since relocating from Seattle.  The Grizzlies need to take advantage of the home court and play solid defense to take the Thunder out of the game early.  Durant leads the team in scoring at 22.4 ppg, while Jeff Green adds 14 ppg and Russell Westbrook adds 12.1.  Green and Nick Collison represent the Thunder's post presence and will challenge Darko Milicic and Marc Gasol.  I think the Grizzlies will be able to use their transition offense and stingy defense to get a much-needed win over the Thunder.