Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers – Game #41
Devin Vassell will play a bigger role for the Spurs versus the Clippers (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs will attempt to snap their two-game losing streak tonight when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs ended their five-game road trip with an understandable loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and then started their nine-game homestand with a deflating loss against the Charlotte Hornets.
At 22-18, the Spurs remain seventh in the Western Conference. San Antonio is half a game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and two games ahead of the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.
At 28-16, the Clippers are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed in the West. They are two games behind the Phoenix Suns and four games behind the Utah Jazz.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Rudy Gay and Lonnie Walker IV are out tonight for the Spurs. Gay has soreness in his left foot and Walker is dealing with a troublesome wrist injury that has been bothering him lately. The Spurs also play the Clippers tomorrow night but there’s no word yet regarding whether Gay or Walker might be available in that contest.
With those two players out, that opens up more playing time for others including rookie Devin Vassell. Without Gay to play power forward off the bench, Luka Samanic or Trey Lyles could enter the rotation.
Also out for the Spurs in Keita Bates-Diop and, of course, LaMarcus Aldridge. Bates-Diop is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Aldridge has been away from the team ever since it was decided that he’d be traded or bought out. Tomorrow in the trade deadline, so something should happen soon on that front.
Los Angeles Clippers Injury
The Clippers will be without two starters for both games against the Spurs: Serge Ibaka and Patrick Beverley. Ibaka is averaging 10.9 points and 6.7 rebounds, while the defensive specialist Beverley is averaging 8.3 points and 3.7 rebounds.
With Ibaka and Beverley out, expect the Clippers to go with a starting lineup of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac.
Kawhi Leonard Update Still Thriving
Leonard is having another great season for the Clippers. He’s averaging 25.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists, while boasting a 62.0% true shooting percentage — the highest mark of his career.
The Spurs are sure to throw a lot of looks at Leonard in an attempt to slow him down. Expect Derrick White and Keldon Johnson to get the first crack at him. Off the bench, don’t be surprised if Vassell spends time defending Leonard.