Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Orlando Magic – Game #52
The Spurs will try to get their first win on the Rodeo Road Trip (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs face a difficult challenge tonight against the Orlando Magic. The Spurs are on a five-game losing streak and play the Magic tonight on the second night of a back-to-back. Tonight’s contest is the second game of San Antonio’s nine-game Rodeo Road Trip.
The Spurs kicked off the 2023-24 Rodeo Road Trip with a 116-104 loss to the Miami Heat. San Antonio was in the game until getting outplayed in the fourth quarter. Victor Wembanyama had 18 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes (see the Grades).
Orlando has played well recently. They’ve won three of their last four games. Their latest game, however, was a 121-95 loss at the hands of the Heat.
The Spurs and Magic played a little over a week ago. The Spurs almost pulled off a miraculous victory in that game but ended up losing to the Magic by a final score of 108-98. Orlando was led by Paolo Banchero, who totaled 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Spurs Trade Doug McDermott
At the trade deadline, the Spurs traded Doug McDermott to the Indiana Pacers. In return, the Spurs essentially received a 2029 second round pick. McDermott was averaging 6.0 points on 44.2% shooting from the field and 43.9% shooting from three-point territory. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Even though the Spurs have lost five straight games, expect head coach Gregg Popovich to stick with a starting five of Victor Wembanyama at center, Jeremy Sochan at power forward, Julian Champagnie at small forward, Devin Vassell at shooting guard and Tre Jones at point guard.
Jones continues to thrive as a starter. In 17 games in which he was in the starting lineup, the point guard is averaging 13.1 points, 7.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game. In those contests, he’s shooting 55.5% from the floor, 38.6% from three-point land and 89.5% from the free throw line.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Magic
The Magic are favored by 10.5 points and the over/under is 224.5 points. The smart money is on the Magic to win by 11 or more points. The Spurs look like a tired team with the All-Star Break around the corner. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, will they have the energy to compete? It’s difficult to have confidence that they will.