Preview and Prediction: San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers

The San Antonio Spurs are currently riding a seven-game losing streak. Tonight, they play in Philadelphia against the 76ers, who are a perfect 5-0 at home. The game, which will be broadcast on national television on ESPN, is San Antonio’s most difficult contest of their current four-game road trip. 

Derrick White Injury Update

Yesterday, Derrick White was listed as questionable for the Sixers game. Today, the Spurs announced that White is out with a sore left foot and will miss tonight’s affair.

After the game against the Washington Wizards, White told reporters that he was hopeful to play in Philadelphia. That fact, combined with his questionable status yesterday, points to the Spurs being confident that White should be able to return quickly from this injury.

Even if White is healthy enough to play, it probably makes sense for him to get an extra day of rest because Dejounte Murray will be forced to sit out tomorrow night’s game against the New York Knicks, as he hasn’t yet been cleared to participate in back-to-backs. With Murray out tomorrow, the Spurs having the services of a rested White would be helpful, especially since that would be a winnable game against the Knicks.

San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup

Last game, Gregg Popovich switched up the starting lineup, going with Patty Mills, Bryn Forbes, DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jakob Poeltl. That will likely once again be the starting lineup for the Spurs, unless Pop has second thoughts about the defensive shortcomings of that arrangement. 

Given the size of the Sixers, Poeltl makes sense at center. But that same size could potentially convince Pop that Mills and Forbes wouldn’t be able to defend Philadelphia’s backcourt of 6-foot-10 Ben Simmons and 6-foot-5 Josh Richardson. If that size worries San Antonio’s coaches, Murray could find his way back into the starting lineup.

Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineup

The Sixers will hope to start Simmons, Richardson, Tobias Harris, Al Horford and Joel Embiid. However, Richardson is listed as questionable due to a hip injury. If he is forced to sit, expect three-point specialist Furkan Korkmaz to start in his place.

Spurs vs. Sixers – Prediction

Oddsmakers are favoring the 76ers by 7.5 points and see a final score of 114-107. Assuming that Pop continues to go with Mills and Forbes in the backcourt, I think this will be a higher scoring game than the oddsmakers are predicting. While I don’t think the Spurs will end their losing streak tonight, it could be more exciting than expected.

San Antonio Spurs – 122
Philadelphia 76ers – 129