Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers – Game #58
Malaki Branham will play a big role again tonight against the Cavaliers (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs have lost 12 consecutive games overall and 14 straight on the road. In the fifth game of the Rodeo Road Trip, the Spurs will try to reverse their losing ways against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In San Antonio’s latest loss, Dejounte Murray and the Atlanta Hawks prevailed by a final count of 125-106 (see the Grades).
The Cavaliers enter tonight’s affair with a six-game winning streak. At 37-22, Cleveland is currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs are five games behind the top-seeded Boston Celtics.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
The Spurs are still dealing with a number of injuries. Devin Vassell remains out following a surgical procedure on his left knee. He isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break.
Tre Jones, who returned from a four-game absence against the Hawks, is back out. He’s dealing with left foot soreness. He’ll be joined on the sidelines by Romeo Langford, who’s out with left adductor tightness. Khem Birch, who the Spurs acquired in the Jakob Poeltl trade, also won’t play due to a knee injury.
Doug McDermott and Charles Bassey are questionable. McDermott has right achilles soreness and Bassey has left lower leg soreness.
The Spurs have two starters listed as probable: Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan. Johnson has been battling a sore left ankle recently, while Sochan is working his way back from back tightness that kept him out for four games.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Head coach Gregg Popovich will start Zach Collins at center and Malaki Branham at shooting guard. If Jeremy Sochan can play, he’ll start at power forward. If Keldon Johnson can play, he’ll start at small forward. If either player needs to sit out, expect Keita Bates-Diop to start.
At the other guard position, the two most likely possibilities to start in place of Jones are Devonte’ Graham and Blake Wesley. Graham was acquired in the Josh Richardson trade.
Stanley Johnson Released by Spurs
In a little bit of a surprising move, Stanley Johnson has been released. According to reports, the Spurs made the move in order to give Charles Bassey a full-fledged NBA contract. Previously, Bassey was on a two-way contract.
In his time with the Spurs, Johnson averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while shooting 53.3% from the field and 45% from three-point range.
Danny Green Signs with Cavaliers
Former Spurs championship starter Danny Green has signed with the Cavaliers. On the trade deadline, Green got dealt from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Houston Rockets. Green and the Rockets agreed to a contract buyout and he subsequently decided to sign with the Cavs.
The 35-year-old has played with the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Grizzlies since being traded away from San Antonio. Green, a three-time champion, also won championships with the Raptors and Lakers.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Cavaliers
The Cavaliers enter the game against the Spurs as a 15-point favorite. The spread is 224.5 points. While 15 points is a lot, the smart money is on the Cavs. The Spurs are dealing with injuries and the two teams are streaking in opposite directions. A big win by Cleveland is the likeliest outcome tonight.