The San Antonio Spurs snapped the Memphis Grizzlies’ four-game skid with a gritty 111-101 win at Frost Bank Center on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 — a game that defied the betting public’s overwhelming faith in San Antonio but still delivered a textbook example of home-court dominance. The Grizzlies, coming in at 4-11, had hoped to reverse their slide after a surprising win over the Bulls just two nights prior. Instead, they collapsed in the fourth quarter, scoring just 14 points after a furious 40-point third frame. The Spurs, now 10-4, didn’t just win — they controlled the pace, outrebounded Memphis on the offensive glass, and made clutch shots when it mattered most.
Fourth Quarter Collapse Dooms Grizzlies’ Comeback Bid
For three quarters, the Grizzlies looked like a team on the rise. They led by as many as seven points in the third, fueled by a barrage of three-pointers and relentless drives to the rim. De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs’ newly acquired floor general, was everywhere — 22 points, 6 assists, and a steady hand under pressure. But when the fourth quarter began, everything changed. Memphis went cold. Their shooters missed open looks. Their passes turned into turnovers. And San Antonio, who had been playing patiently all night, suddenly unleashed a 25-point barrage — the kind that only happens when a team believes it’s going to win.
The final quarter told the real story: Spurs 25, Grizzlies 14. The Grizzlies’ offense, which ranked sixth in the league in free throws made per game, went 4-for-8 from the line in those final 12 minutes. Meanwhile, the Spurs converted 9 of their 10 free throws, including four from Zach Edey, who finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds — comfortably clearing his over/under prop of 19.5 combined points and rebounds.
Betting Public Was Wrong — But Not Entirely
Before tip-off, Action Network reported that 72% of bets were on the Spurs, and 72% of the money was too. The line hovered between -5.5 and -6.5, depending on the sportsbook. Team Rankings projected a 70% chance of a Spurs win, but only 50.1% confidence they’d cover the spread. Turns out, they were right on both counts. San Antonio won — but by just 10 points, falling short of the -6.5 spread. The total points line, set between 232.5 and 234.5 across platforms, ended at 212 — a full 22.5 points under the over/under. The under won handily.
Why did the public get it so wrong? Because they saw the Spurs’ 10-4 record and assumed dominance. They didn’t see the Grizzlies’ 40-point third quarter, or the fact that Memphis had won three of their four previous meetings with San Antonio this season — including a 140-112 blowout in January. The betting market was reacting to surface-level stats, not the emotional momentum of a team fighting to stay relevant.
Statistical Edge Was All Spurs — Even When It Didn’t Look Like It
Behind the box score, the numbers told a clearer story. According to Team Rankings, the Spurs posted a 57.6% effective field goal percentage — nearly eight points higher than Memphis’s 50.5%. They grabbed 27% of their own misses, compared to just 24.3% for the Grizzlies. Their turnover rate? A crisp 13.6%, better than Memphis’s 12.1%. And while the Grizzlies led in assists (27.4 to 28.4), they were outworked on the glass and out-executed in crunch time.
San Antonio’s defense, allowing just 112.1 points per game this season, held Memphis to 101 — their lowest output since a 98-point loss in early November. The Grizzlies shot 42% from the field, including 31% from three. Their star guard, Ja Morant, was held to 17 points on 6-for-19 shooting — a far cry from his usual 28-point averages.
Historical Context: Grizzlies Used to Own This Matchup
It’s easy to forget that just eight months ago, the Grizzlies were the ones dominating this rivalry. On March 1, 2025, they beat the Spurs 130-128 in a thriller. On February 3, they won by 19. On January 15, they won by 14. Even when the Spurs were slight favorites in January, Memphis still won. This game wasn’t a fluke — it was a sign of shifting tides. Memphis is rebuilding. San Antonio is refining. The Spurs’ depth, especially with Fox and Edey forming a new core, is starting to click. The Grizzlies? They’re still searching for consistency.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Spurs head into a back-to-back against the Oklahoma City Thunder with momentum — and a 7-2 home record. Their next challenge? Proving they can win on the road, where they’ve gone just 1-3 against the spread this season. For Memphis, the road doesn’t get easier. They face the Lakers on Friday, then the Warriors again on Sunday. With their defense in shambles and their bench outscored by 12 points per game, they’ll need a miracle to avoid their fifth straight loss.
One thing’s clear: the Spurs aren’t just a team on a hot streak. They’re becoming a team to fear in the Western Conference. And the Grizzlies? They’re still one win away from being truly relevant again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Spurs win despite the public betting heavily on them?
The public bet on the Spurs because of their 10-4 record and home-court advantage, but few accounted for Memphis’s recent offensive surge or San Antonio’s struggles covering spreads. The Spurs won the game but failed to cover the -6.5 spread, showing that public sentiment doesn’t always align with actual performance. The final margin of 10 points was enough to win, but not enough to satisfy the betting line.
How did De’Aaron Fox perform compared to his season averages?
Fox delivered exactly as expected: 22 points and 6 assists, matching his season averages of 22.1 points and 6.8 assists. He was efficient (8-for-15 FG), controlled the tempo, and made key plays down the stretch — including a step-back three with 2:14 left that broke a 96-96 tie. His presence transformed San Antonio’s offense from stagnant to surgical.
Why did the Grizzlies’ offense collapse in the fourth quarter?
Memphis’s offense stalled because their three-point shooting went ice-cold — they made just 2 of 12 attempts in the final quarter. Ja Morant was double-teamed relentlessly, and their bench failed to generate scoring. The Spurs switched to a zone defense, forcing Memphis into contested mid-range jumpers. The result? A 14-point fourth quarter — their lowest of the season.
Was the over/under bet a good play?
Absolutely. The total points line was set between 232.5 and 234.5, but the final score was 212 — 22.5 points under. The under hit across all major sportsbooks. The Spurs slowed the pace in the second half, and Memphis’s late offensive drought sealed it. This was one of the most lopsided under outcomes of the season.
How does this win impact the Spurs’ playoff chances?
This win solidifies San Antonio as a top-6 seed contender in the West. With a 10-4 record and a 7-2 home mark, they’re now among the league’s most consistent teams. Their defensive efficiency has improved 12% since November, and Fox’s integration into the system has made them far more dangerous in clutch situations. They’re no longer a surprise team — they’re a threat.
What does this loss mean for the Grizzlies’ season?
It’s a major setback. At 4-12, Memphis is now on pace for one of the worst records in franchise history. Their defense ranks 28th in the league, and their bench has been outscored in 9 of their last 10 games. Without a clear identity beyond Ja Morant, they’re relying too much on individual heroics. If they don’t fix their transition defense and third-quarter execution, a lottery pick is all but guaranteed.