Most of the talk after the Spurs’ November 21st loss to Memphis circled around a series of controversial late-game calls that sealed their fate and sent them below .500 for the first time on the season. They made sure Saturday’s rematch didn’t come to that, racing out to a big first-half lead and beating Memphis, 108-88, providing another reminder of how much things have changed since Thanksgiving.
Consider LaMarcus Aldridge’s dramatically improved shooting: 40.6% in the first 17 games through that Memphis loss, and 57.8% since. The Spurs’ big man had 18 points (5 of 9 from the field, 8 of 10 from the line) on Saturday and regularly worked to get deep position against a physical Grizzlies frontcourt.