Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons – Game #54
Jeremy Sochan and the Spurs will try to dunk the Pistons (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs play a back-to-back game tonight against the Detroit Pistons. The Spurs will be playing their second and final game in Austin, Texas, in what is technically a home game for the Silver and Black. San Antonio enters with a record of 24-29, while Detroit stands at 29-26.
The Spurs are coming off of a surprise win over the Phoenix Suns last night. De’Aaron Fox sparked San Antonio down the stretch as the Spurs ran away with a 120-109 victory.
Victor Wembanyama News Dominates Headlines
The Spurs announced yesterday that Victor Wembanyama will be out for the season after a blood clot was found in his right shoulder. The franchise is optimistic that the tall Frenchman will be ready to play by the start of next season.
Considering that blood clots have ended the careers of NBA players before, this was devastating news for San Antonio. Thankfully, though, the team believes that this is a one-time event and won’t slow down what promises to be a very successful career for Wembanyama.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
The Spurs did get some good news on the center front today. Charles Bassey, who has been sidelined since February 3rd with a sprained MCL, is probably for tonight’s affair versus the Pistons. The 24-year-old is averaging 4.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game this season.
In other center news, the Spurs also announced that Bismack Biyombo has been re-signed to a second ten-day contract. Biyombo started against the Suns and did very well. In 16 minutes, the veteran big man had eight points, three rebounds and two assists while connecting on all four of his field goal attempts.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Without Wembanyama, the Spurs starting lineup will look different the rest of the way. For now at least, we can be confident that De’Aaron Fox and Chris Paul start at the guard positions and the forwards will be Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes.
Who will start at center for the Spurs going forward? The two most likely candidates are Biyombo and Bassey. Since San Antonio is coming off of a win, don’t be surprise if Biyombo gets another start tonight against the Pistons.
Sandro Mamukelashvili could eventually enter that starting center conversation but he didn’t even play last night.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Pistons
The Pistons are favored by 4.5 points and the over/under is 236.5 points. The smart money is on the Pistons winning by five or more points. The Spurs are on the second night of a back-to-back and the tangible and intangible toll of losing Wembanyama will likely be more obvious tonight.