Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers – Game #80
Blake Wesley and the Spurs play a home game in Austin tonight (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs play a home game tonight versus the Portland Trail Blazers. However, this isn’t a normal home game for the Spurs. Tonight’s contest will take place in Austin, Texas, at the Moody Center.
This will be the first of two games in Austin for San Antonio. Following the game against the Blazers tonight, they’ll host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Moody Center on Saturday night. After that, the Spurs have one final game of the 2022-23 regular season: a road contest in Dallas against the Mavericks.
Currently, the Spurs have a record of 20-59 — the second worst record in the Western Conference. The Blazers, at 33-46, have the third worst record in the West. Only the Houston Rockets (20-60) are beneath the Spurs and the Blazers.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
The Spurs have six players listed as out for the game against the Blazers. Devin Vassell is out due to left knee injury management. Jeremy Sochan is out with right knee sorness. Two key bench players will also miss the game: Doug McDermott and Devonte’ Graham. McDermott has a right ankle sprain and Graham as a left adductor strain.
The two other players who will miss the game are centers Charles Bassey and Khem Birch, who both have season-ending knee injuries.
Three Spurs players were previously listed on the injury report but are now listed as available: Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins and Romeo Langford.
Dominick Barlow left the game against the Phoenix Suns early but it appears like he’ll be able to play. McDermott and Graham also left the Suns game early. There’s no word yet regarding whether we should expect McDermott or Graham to play again this season.
Portland Trail Blazers Injury Update
The Blazers are out of the playoff race so they’re sitting most of their competent players. Key players who will miss the game for the Blazers include Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant and Jusuf Nurkic. Other players who might miss the game against the Spurs include Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle, Kevin Knox II and former Spurs center Drew Eubanks.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
The Spurs will most likely start Tre Jones at point guard, Malaki Branham at shooting guard, Keldon Johnson at small forward, Keita Bates-Diop at power forward and Zach Collins at center. Off the bench, expect Julian Champagnie, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Dominick Barlow and Blake Wesley to get plenty of playing time.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Blazers
The Spurs are favored by 5.5 points and the over/under is 228.5 points. The smart money tonight is actually on the Spurs winning by six or more points. The Blazers are completely tanking right now. Anyone with a pulse who plays basketball for Portland is sitting out this game.
On the other hand, the Spurs will actually have three of their five starters. Additionally, Malaki Branham and Keita Bates-Diop have a lot of experience starting. The fact that this game is in Austin should also help the Spurs by providing a new, exciting atmosphere.