Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – Game #50
Malaki Branham and the Spurs go up against the Cavs tonight (Photo via Twitter)
After three disappointing losses in a row, the San Antonio Spurs will try to end their seven-game home stand with a bang. Tonight, the Spurs host the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs have a record of 10-39 on the season, while the Cavs are 30-16.
This is the final game before San Antonio embarks on the Rodeo Road Trip. This season, the Spurs play nine games on the trip — five games before the All-Star break and four after the break.
The Cavs enter tonight’s contest as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Cleveland has won four straight games and 12 of their last 13 games.
This will be the second and final time the Spurs and Cavs play this season. The Cavaliers won the first battle by a final score of 117-115. The Spurs had a couple chances to pull that game out in the final 20 seconds but came up short. Victor Wembanyama finished that game with 24 points, ten rebounds and five blocks in 25 minutes.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Keldon Johnson remains questionable for the game versus the Cavs. Johnson has missed the last two games due to an elbow laceration. With him on the sidelines, Cedi Osman and Malaki Branham have been getting the extra available minutes.
Zach Collins returned to the court against the New Orleans Pelicans and scored eight points (see the Grades). With Collins back in the rotation as the team’s backup center, Dominick Barlow was the one to lose his spot in the rotation.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Even though this is the second game of a back-to-back, expect to see Victor Wembanyama in the starting lineup at center. The doctors are no longer requiring him to avoid back-to-backs. Joining Wembanyama in the starting five will be Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie and Jeremy Sochan.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Cavaliers
The Cavs are favored by 10.5 points and the over/under is 229.5 points. Considering this is the second night of a back-to-back for the Spurs, the smart money is on the under. San Antonio has been playing relatively low scoring games recently and they will likely be a step slow tonight.
Additionally, the Cavs are a team that wins with their defense. They are second in the NBA in points allowed. Cleveland has talented offensive pieces but it’s their defense that could make them a contender in the Eastern Conference.