MADRID, 12 Jan. (.) –
The Spanish power forward Santi Aldama contributed with a more than correct performance in the eighth consecutive victory of the Memphis Grizzlies, who are still launched and continue at the top of the Western Conference, against San Antonio Spurs (135-129), while Usman Garuba added minutes, although without scoring, in the loss (135-115) of the Houston Rockets against the Sacramento Kings.
The player from the Canary Islands came off the bench and was on the court for almost 23 minutes, to turn around a game that the Spurs began by winning in the second quarter. Aldama participated in the climb -with a key run of 20-7 at the start of the second match- with two triples and finished his contribution with 7 points (2/4 from field goals, 2/2 from three-pointers and 1/2 from free throws), 5 rebounds and 1 block.
The point guard Ja Morant was again decisive with 38 points, shielded by the ‘double-double’ of Jaren Jackson (21 points and 12 rebounds) and Steven Adams (11 points and 18 rebounds). The Grizzlies share the West lead with the Denver Nuggets, while the Spurs are next to last. Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones, both over twenty, were the only ones holding up San Antonio, which fizzled out before halftime.
Finally, Garuba barely enjoyed 6 minutes of play, in which he was left without scoring, although he added 2 rebounds and 1 block. His Rockets lost again – it is already the eighth consecutive defeat – to continue at the bottom of the West, while the Kings remain firm and maintain the leadership in the East.
–SPANISH PLAYERS STATISTICS:
SANTI ALDAMA: 7 points, 5 rebounds and 1 block.
USMAN GARUBA: 2 rebounds and 1 block.
