Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns – Game #5
Keldon Johnson and the Spurs will try to beat the Suns again (Photo via Twitter)
After a miraculous win, the San Antonio Spurs will try to make lightning strike for a second time. The Spurs trailed by as many as 20 points against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night before escaping with a 115-114 victory. Tonight, San Antonio takes on the Suns once again.
To complete their comeback, the Spurs got a midrange jumper from Victor Wembanyama and a follow-up dunk by the big rookie to cut the deficit to one point. With only seconds remaining, Keldon Johnson stole the ball from Kevin Durant and then converted a layup at the rim to give the Silver and Black their first lead of the game. When Durant missed a jumper at the buzzer, the Spurs had completed their unlikely comeback victory.
Wembanyama didn’t play well in the first half but came up big in the second half. Johnson not only hit the game-winning layup for the Spurs, he also led San Antonio with 27 points and played particularly well in the third quarter (see the Grades).
The win moved the Spurs to 2-2 on the season. After the loss, the Suns now also sport a record of 2-2.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
The Spurs have remained healthy this season, which means their starting lineup is easy to predict. Head coach Gregg Popovich will start Zach Collins at center, Victor Wembanyama at power forward, Keldon Johnson at small forward, Devin Vassell at shooting guard and Jeremy Sochan at point guard.
Off the bench, Popovich will mostly lean on Tre Jones and Cedi Osman. Also expect Charles Bassey and Malaki Branham to get playing time. On Tuesday, Popovich gave Julian Champagnie three minutes — so he may get a cameo role again tonight.
Phoenix Suns Injury Update
Kevin Durant will eventually get a lot of help. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are both nearing a return and will eventually form Phoenix’s Big Three. Tonight, Beal remains sidelined due to injury. However, Booker is now being listed as questionable. Prior to Tuesday’s game, Booker was listed as doubtful.
In the one game Booker has played this season, he poured in 32 points. San Antonio’s chances of winning will obviously take a hit if Booker suits up for the Suns. If he plays, he’d start in place of either Grayson Allen or Eric Gordon.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Suns
While the Spurs are coming off of a win over the Suns, the smart money tonight is on the Suns. They are favored by 9.5 points but it’s safe to say they will be motivated after letting one slip out of their hands on Tuesday evening. Expect Phoenix to win by ten or more points. If Booker is able to play, that bet will become even smarter.
That said, with how scrappy the Spurs have been in three out of their four games so far this season, it’s not unfathomable that San Antonio will be able to put up a fight in tonight’s rematch.