Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers – Game #79
Sandro Mamukelashvili and the Spurs continue their road trip (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs face another difficult challenge tonight when they travel to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. This is the second game of San Antonio’s four-game road trip, which is the final trip of the season for the Spurs. On the season, the Silver and Black have a record of 32-46. The Clippers enter this contest at 46-32.
The Spurs have won only one of their last eight games. Their lone win during that stretch was over the Denver Nuggets. After tonight’s game, the Spurs have three more games this season: at the Golden State Warriors, at the Phoenix Suns and versus the Toronto Raptors.
In San Antonio’s latest outing, they lost by a final score of 120-109. Stephon Castle led the way with 22 points. The rookie chipped in seven rebounds and five assists.
The Clippers, conversely, have been red hot lately. They’ve won six of their last seven contests. Going back further, L.A. is 14-3 in their last 17 games.
In the three previous battles between these two teams this season, the Clippers have two wins. Their latest game was back on Jan. 29 and Los Angeles won that one by a final score of 128-116.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Jeremy Sochan remains out for the Spurs. The 21-year-old hasn’t played since Mar. 30 due to back spasms. On the season, he’s averaging 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists, while shooting 53.5% from the field, 30.8% from three-point range and 69.6% from the charity stripe.
With Sochan sidelined, expect interim head coach Mitch Johnson to start Bismack Biyombo at center.
Los Angeles Clippers Injury Update
A pair of former San Antonio Spurs players headline the injury report for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard is out in order to rest his knee. Leonard is averaging 21.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 30.9 minutes per game this season. In 19 games since the All-Star break, Leonard has been great. In 34.8 minutes per game, he’s averaging 24.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in those contests.
Also on the injury report for the Clippers is Patty Mills. The 36-year-old is listed as questionable due to an unspecified illness. In 12 games with the Clippers this season, Mills has hit 9-of-18 three-point attempts.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Clippers
The Clippers are favored by 12.5 points and the over/under is 228.5 points. The smart money is on the under. The Spurs have been in low scoring affairs lately and Kawhi Leonard being out could limit how much the Clippers score tonight.