Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns – Game #71
Victor Wembanyama will try to beat the Suns once again (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs have only two games left in their eight-game home stand. Both of those contests are against the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs play the Suns tonight and then again on Monday night.
San Antonio is only 1-5 during the home stand so far. In their latest game, the Spurs suffered a disappointing loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, 99-97, to drop their record on the season to 15-55. Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell played well but didn’t get enough help (see the Grades).
At 41-29, the Suns are tied with the Dallas Mavericks for the 6th seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix is only a half-game up on the Sacramento Kings for the 8th seed, so it goes without saying that the Suns desperately need to win as many games as they can down the stretch of the regular season.
Victor Wembanyama Against the Suns Once More
The Spurs played the Suns all the way back on Oct. 31 and Nov. 2. Both games took place in Phoenix and the Spurs won both contests. San Antonio won the first one 115-114 on Halloween and then followed that up with a 132-121 victory a couple days later.
In the second game, Victor Wembanyama stole the show with 38 points and ten rebounds in 34 minutes. He was 15-of-26 from the field, 3-for-6 from three-point range and 5-for-6 at the free throw line. When it was money time, the rookie was at his best.
That was quite a performance for the rookie in the fifth game of the season. The 38 points he scored still represents a career-high.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
The Spurs don’t have any injuries to report. Going into last game, Zach Collins was probable with concussion-like symptoms but he was able to play.
However, with this being a back-to-back for the Spurs, don’t be surprised if a couple players are on a minutes restriction — including Victor Wembanyama and maybe even Devin Vassell.
That said, expect head coach Gregg Popovich to still start Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, Julian Champagnie, Vassell and Tre Jones.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Suns
The Suns are favored by 10.5 points and the over/under is 232 points. This home stand has featured a number of relatively low scoring affairs, so the smart money is on the under. San Antonio’s defense has been better and their offense has struggled with consistency, which makes the under look even better.