The Grizzlies 7 game win streak was in real jeopardy late in the 4th tonight. The Grizzlies hosted the San Antonio Spurs for the second time this week and they proved to be a scrappy team once again. The Grizzlies lead through the game, at one point by as much as 19 in the third quarter. The Spurs cut it down as close as 3 with under 3 minutes to go in the game. Once again Steven Adams aka “Aquamane” stepped in a big way late in the game with a big block on a drive by the Spurs and followed it up with a tap in for a lead the Grizz would not surrender. It is no secret that I am a huge Aquamane fan. He is such a Memphis player – gritty, scrappy, unappreciated by most outside of the franchise, but he steps up in the biggest moments. Steven Adams continues to play an intricate role time after time in clutch moments for the Memphis Grizzlies. Steven finished with 11 points, 17 rebounds, and a +13 net rating, in a night that needed all 48 minutes to put away the Spurs, 135-129. The Grizzlies have the league’s longest winning streak at 8 games.

Jaren Jackson Jr finished with a double double at 22 and 12 rebounds as his hot streak continues. On the defensive end he was stellar once again with 2 blocks and altering so many more in the lane as his Defensive Player of the Year award momentum continues to grow. He is now the odds on favorite to win it in Vegas. Ja, in his first game back after a few nights off for a sore thigh, scored 38 points, the last 2 coming off a put back on his own miss to ice the game. Ja said after the game that you have to have toughness to win games like this, and the Grizz showed that toughness tonight. He also continues to shine as an ambassador for the franchise, signing and giving away yet another pair of his Ja 1’s to a young fan court side, along with his signed jersey. Ja is a special player to watch and the impact he has on this city is bigger than any game.

The Spurs have been within 8 points of the Grizzlies in all 3 games this year. They were hot behind the arc late in the game, which allowed them to chew threw the 19 point lead the Grizz had late in the third quarter. In the end though, the Grizzlies persevered and found a way to hang on for the big win.

The Grizzlies are realizing that they are going to get every team’s best shot. Night in and night out they will have to prove their toughness, mettle, and resolve to be the best team in the league. For the last 8 games, even when not playing their best, they have shown that. This team is growing up before our eyes. Their best basketball lies ahead of them as they continue to show moxie in close games, winning as a team in games they have gone cold in. Ja said the team that wins is the team that “out teams the other one” and the team that plays at 191 Beale Street will be a tough out for that reason. The next man up mentality is so prevalent as guys like Xavier Tillman Sr., Tyus Jones, and Ziaire Williams step up time and time again when their number is called. This team is deep and only getting better as the season progresses.

The Grizzlies take on an Eastern Conference foe when they play at the Pacers Saturday at 7 pm eastern.