Preview and Prediction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Hornets
Will Derrick White play more against the Hornets? (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs (21-26) will look to put together their second consecutive win, after an impressive win over the Utah Jazz. The Spurs have a home game against the struggling Charlotte Hornets (16-32) who have won just one of their previous ten games.
San Antonio is the heavy favorites in this one. Vegas has the Spurs favored by nine points, predicting a final score of 112-103.
LaMarcus Aldridge Injury Update – Injured Thumb
LaMarcus Aldridge has missed the last two games for the Spurs with an injured right thumb. For tonight’s affair, the star big man for San Antonio has been upgraded to questionable. He was able to go through shootaround this morning, which is a good sign that he’ll be able to play.
That said, head coach Gregg Popovich may opt to sit Aldridge one more game, especially with the Spurs facing a struggling Hornets squad. Even if his thumb is feeling better, letting it heal more game and avoid getting hit for another night may cause Popovich to lean toward sitting Aldridge.
Spurs Struggling Against Sub-.500 Teams
While this game may look easy on paper, it’d be unwise for San Antonio to get too confident. The Spurs are 2-4 in their last six games against sub-.500 teams, including losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls.
As of late, the Spurs have been much better against teams better than .500. The Wizards, on the other hand, have only one win against a plus-.500 team on the road this season (Jan. 4 at Dallas).
Hornets Dynamic Guard Duo
The Hornets are led by a pair of guards: Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. Graham has been the real story, as the 24-year-old is averaging 18.2 points and 7.6 assists per game. Rozier, signed in the offseason away from the Boston Celtics, is averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Spurs vs. Hornets – Key Matchup
Will Bryn Forbes be defending Graham or Rozier? Most likely it will be Rozier. If that’s the case, the Spurs may need to send help if Rozier gets it going.
The duo of Graham and Rozier beg for Popovich to counter with Murray and Derrick White — but that isn’t alignment the Spurs have used much this season.
Prediction: Spurs vs. Hornets
On paper, this looks like the Spurs should win in a blowout — even if Aldridge doesn’t play. However, San Antonio isn’t trustworthy against the bad teams in the league. I think the Spurs will win but that it’ll be a bit closer than the oddsmakers believe.
San Antonio Spurs – 109
Charlotte Hornets – 102