Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets – Game #76
Sandro Mamukelashvili leads the Spurs into Denver (Photo via Twitter)
After seeing their three-game win streak come to an end on Sunday night, the San Antonio Spurs will be back in action tonight on the road against the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs, who sit with a record of 18-57, have the third worst record in the NBA. The Nuggets have the third best record in the league at 52-23.
San Antonio was short-handed when they fell to the Golden State Warriors in the latest game. Despite many of his best teammates being on the sidelines, Victor Wembanyama was still really, really good. The rookie center finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks in 31 minutes. He was 10-for-22 from the field, 3-for-10 from three-point range and 9-for-10 at the free throw line. Wembanyama almost led the Spurs all the way back in the fourth quarter but San Antonio fell just short (see the Grades).
The defending NBA champions lost three games in a row back in February. Since then, the Nuggets are 16-4. Denver is led by MVP-favorite Nikola Jokic. The native of Serbia is averaging 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.0 assists in 34.5 minutes per game.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Updated
Sadly, injuries have really hit the Spurs hard in recent days. In fact, San Antonio will be without two starters for the rest of the 2023-24 regular season. Devin Vassell suffered a stress reaction in his foot, while Jeremy Sochan required ankle surgery.
The Silver and Black will be without two other players tonight. Keldon Johnson and Dominick Barlow, who like Vassell and Sochan missed the game versus the Warriors, will remain out against the Nuggets.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Head coach Gregg Popovich went with a new starting lineup against the Warriors. With the same four players out tonight, expect Popovich to start the same five in Denver. That would be Tre Jones at point guard, Malaki Branham at shooting guard, Cedi Osman and Julian Champagnie at the forward spots, and Victor Wembanyama at center.
Off the bench, expect to see Sandro Mamukelashvili. Versus the Warriors, the big man had a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Mamukelashvili was 4-for-6 from the floor and 2-for-2 on free throws.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Nuggets
The Nuggets are favored by 16 points and the over/under is 223.5 points. The smart money is on the under. The Spurs are missing a lot of offensive talent, which will likely make it difficult for them to put up points on the road.