Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings – Game #20

Keldon Johnson and the Spurs go against the Kings tonight (Photo via X)

The San Antonio Spurs will attempt to get back on the winning track tonight when they play in Sacramento against the Kings. San Antonio’s four-game winning streak was snapped in their last outing, a 119-101 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. At 10-9, the Spurs are currently the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

The Kings entered the season with playoff expectations but Sacramento is currently in the 12th spot in the West with a record of 9-11. Strangely enough, the Kings have been better on the road (5-5) than at home (4-6).

In the first meeting between these two teams, the Spurs posted a convincing 116-96 victory. In that game, Victor Wembanyama led the charge with 34 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

San Antonio Spurs Injury Update

It’s mostly good news for the Silver and Black on the injury front. Wembanyama, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, who all recently missed games due to injury, are ready to roll tonight against the Kings.

The only player who remains out for the Spurs is Jeremy Sochan. However, it’s expected that he will be able to make his return soon. In fact, he was recently able to begin practicing with his teammates as he continues his recovery from a broken thumb.

San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup

Once Sochan returns, it’ll be unclear how interim head coach Mitch Johnson will form his starting lineup. For now, though, everything is clear. Expect Johnson to start Wembanyama at center, Vassell at shooting guard, Chris Paul at point guard, Harrison Barnes at power forward and Julian Champagnie at small forward.

DeMar DeRozan Still Chugging Along

At 35 years old, DeMar DeRozan isn’t showing many signs of slowing down. In his first season with the Kings, the former Spurs guard is averaging 22.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists while hitting more than half of his shots from the field. He is one of three players on the Kings averaging at least 20 points per game on the season, joining De’Aaron Fox (27.7) and Domantas Sabonis (20.4).

Betting Guide: Spurs at Kings

The Kings are favored by six points and the over/under is 226.5 points. With the Spurs being healthy and rested, the smart move is to take the Spurs and the points. San Antonio blew out Sacramento early in the season, so it’s relatively safe to expect them to at least keep it close tonight.