Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers – Game #14
Zach Collins and the Spurs will try to top the Clippers (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs have lost eight consecutive games. They will try to stop that losing skid tonight when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs have a record of 3-10 and they’re only 1-6 at home this season. San Antonio’s latest loss was to the Memphis Grizzlies, a game where the Spurs led early but fell apart in the fourth quarter (see the Grades).
The Clippers have also been struggling lately. L.A. is 4-7 on the season. The Clippers went on a five-game losing streak after adding James Harden before winning their previous contest against the Houston Rockets. Overall, the Clippers have lost six of their last seven games.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
For the third game in a row, Devin Vassell is out with an adductor strain. This is the same injury that caused him to miss two games earlier in the season. In games he has been able to play, Vassell is averaging 17.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while shooting 49.6% from the field and 43.1% from beyond the three-point arc.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Even though Devin Vassell is injured, we can be confident about the fivesome that head coach Gregg Popovich will use as his starting lineup. Expect Jeremy Sochan at point guard, Julian Champagnie at shooting guard, Keldon Johnson at small forward, Victor Wembanyama at power forward and Zach Collins at center. Sochan, Johnson, Wembanyama and Collins have all started every game they’ve played in so far this season.
Scoring Down for Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is averaging only 21.0 points per game this season. His scoring rate hasn’t been this low for the 32-year-old since the 2014-15 season with the Spurs. His rates for assists and rebounds are also lower than we’ve come to expect.
Will Leonard’s numbers return to normal? It’s quite possible, as he has only played 11 games so far this season. Then again, with the acquisition of James Harden, Leonard will likely get less touches than usual. Especially considering that Paul George and Russell Westbrook are also on his team.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Clippers
The Clippers are favored by 8.5 points and the over/under is 230.5 points. The smart money is on the over. During San Antonio’s eight-game losing streak, they’ve allowed 126 points per game. In their last three home games, the Spurs have had really good stretches offensively. Combine those two facts and the over is very tempting tonight.