Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons – Game #36
Devin Vassell and the Spurs will try to down the Pistons (Photo via Twitter)
On paper, this is the most winnable game of the season for the San Antonio Spurs. At 5-30, the Spurs are taking on the Detroit Pistons — the only team in the NBA with a worse record. Not only are the Pistons 3-34, they will be playing without their best player, Cade Cunningham.
On the season, Cunningham is averaging 22.8 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 34.5 minutes per game. He will sit out tonight’s game against San Antonio with a knee injury. Detroit might be without a second starter, as Isaiah Stewart is listed as doubtful with a toe injury.
The Pistons have lost five straight games after snapping their 28-game losing streak. The Spurs have also lost five straight games. The good news for both teams tonight is one of the two squads is guaranteed to come away with a victory.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
There’s not much news on the Spurs injury front. Charles Bassey remains out for the season with a torn ACL. Zach Collins could be out until the end of the month with an ankle injury. Sidy Cissoko also won’t play against the Pistons due to an ankle injury.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
The latest starting lineup for head coach Gregg Popovich features Tre Jones at point guard, Devin Vassell at shooting guard, Julian Champagnie at small forward, Jeremy Sochan at power forward and Victor Wembanyama at center. Malaki Branham had been starting at point guard but after returning from an ankle injury, he came off the bench.
The main players off the bench for the Spurs will most likely be Keldon Johnson and Cedi Osman.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Pistons
The Spurs are favored by 3.5 points and the over/under is at 238 points. The smart money is on the Spurs to win by four or more points. San Antonio is relatively healthy, had an extra day to prepare for this game and will obviously be motivated to avoid what would be an embarrassing loss. Yes, the Spurs will be playing on the road — but the Pistons are only 2-15 at home this season. San Antonio, to compare, is 3-15 on the road.
Detroit, on the other hand, will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back. They’ll be without their best player and possibly two starters. Nothing for the 2023-24 Spurs will be easy but this looks like a game they need to win — if only for morale purposes.