Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets – Game #27
Jakob Poeltl will start again for the Spurs versus the Hornets (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs play their second game of the 2021 Rodeo Road Trip tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. The Spurs will hope that their second game of the road trip is as successful as their first one was. On Friday night, San Antonio smashed the Atlanta Hawks, as the starters were especially outstanding.
At 15-11, the Spurs are currently in the sixth spot in the Western Conference. Even though the Hornets are just 13-14, they are the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
LaMarcus Aldridge Injury Update
The only injured Spurs player is LaMarcus Aldridge. The 35-year-old hasn’t played since February 1st against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a hip injury and he’s out again tonight. The team says he’s schedule to meet with the doctors soon after receiving a pain-relieving injection recently.
Starting in Aldridge’s place will once again be Jakob Poeltl. In his last five games, all of which he started, Poeltl is averaging 10.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. His fantastic play has been a big reason why the Spurs are 4-1 in those games.
Gordon Hayward Injury Update
The Charlotte Hornets will be without their leading scorer in tonight’s game against the Spurs. Gordon Hayward, who is averaging 22.3 points per game, is out with a back injury.
Charlotte is sure to miss Hayward’s shooting. The 30-year-old is shooting 48.6% from the floor, 42.2% from three-point land and 86.4% at the line.
Expect Terry Rozier to take up the scoring slack. He has 75 points in his last two games, including 41 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
It appears as if Derrick White will now start in place of Lonnie Walker IV. Walker began the year as the starter but White started last game and Walker hasn’t started either of the two games since his return from a stomach illness. Considering that the Spurs gave White a big money extension, it’s not surprising that they want him to start.
Joining White and Poeltl in the starting lineup will be DeMar DeRozan, Keldon Johnson and Dejounte Murray.
Spurs at Hornets – How the Spurs Can Win
The Spurs were outstanding in the first three quarters again the Hawks. Their lead grew to as high as 42 points before the garbage time lineup dropped the ball. Tonight, if the starters can play anywhere close to as well as they did in the first 36 minutes against Atlanta, San Antonio should have a very good chance of winning the game.