Preview: Spurs at Heat – Preseason Game #4
The Spurs will have to lean on Chris Paul again tonight (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs have won two consecutive games in the preseason. Tonight, the Spurs will try to extend their preseason winning streak to three games when they take on the Heat in Miami. This will be San Antonio’s first road game of the exhibition season.
The Heat enter this game with a preseason record of 1-1. Their only win was a home game versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
The Spurs are as healthy as they’ve been all preseason. Only Devin Vassell and David Duke Jr. will miss this game in Miami. Vassell had foot surgery and will remain out for the rest of the month. Duke is dealing with an undisclosed injury and hasn’t been able to play at all in preseason.
Last game, Zach Collins returned to the lineup after missing the first two preseason games. Tonight, it’s Charles Bassey’s turn to make his preseason debut. Bassey tore his ACL last December and hasn’t played since undergoing surgery.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
The starting five head coach Gregg Popovich uses tonight will likely be the one he goes with to begin the regular season. With that in mind, expect Popovich to start Chris Paul at point guard, Julian Champagnie at shooting guard, Harrison Barnes at small forward, Jeremy Sochan at power forward and, of course, Victor Wembanyama at center.
Not only will the starting lineup be of interest, the entire rotation — particularly in the first half — will be important. Popovich will likely test out his regular season rotation tonight … in the first two quarters at least.
Who will be in the rotation? Expect to see rookie Stephon Castle, Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson among others.
Spurs Trade for a Second Round Pick
Since the last time the Spurs played a preseason game, the front office made a deal. San Antonio traded a protected second round pick to the Sacramento Kings for Jalen McDaniels, cash and an unprotected 2031 second round pick. The Spurs will release McDaniels and their second round pick to the Kings is very unlikely to convey.
Thus, when the smoke clears, the Spurs will basically be getting a 2031 second round pick for doing the Kings the favor of eating McDaniels’ contract.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Heat
The Heat are favored by three points and the over/under is 211 points. The smart money is on the over. While both of these teams are trying to be good defensive teams this year, expect plenty of points to be put on the board in this exhibition affair.