Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat – Game #26

The San Antonio Spurs finally ended their losing streak in their last outing. This afternoon, the Spurs take on the Heat in Miami. Following their 11-game losing skid, the Spurs will now try to win their second straight.

The Heat, 12-14, have had a relatively disappointing season so far. They’ve lost two of their last three games, including a 116-96 blowout loss at home against the lowly Detroit Pistons. However, Miami responded in their last outing with a 115-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

San Antonio, 7-18, are only 2-16 after beginning the season 5-2. In their win over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, Keldon Johnson led the way with 32 points. In his last outing, Johnson has a total of 59 points.

San Antonio Spurs Injury Update

The Spurs are still without a lot of bodies. Jakob Poeltl is out with a bone bruise of his right knee and Jeremy Sochan is out with a bruised right quad. Keita Bates-Diop is also out, as he’s dealing with a sprained left foot. The Spurs haven’t said when any of these three big men are expected to return to action. When Poeltl and Sochan were initially injured, reports indicated that the injuries weren’t serious.

Also unavailable for today’s game against the Heat are Blake Wesley and Dominick Barlow. Wesley suffered a torn MCL at the end of October but he is back practicing on a limited basis once again. He could be ready to return within a couple weeks. Before we see him in San Antonio, expect Wesley to spend time in the G League with Austin. Speaking of Austin, Barlow in in the G League right now and that’s why he won’t be in uniform tonight.

There is some good news on the injury front. After missing the contest against the Rockets, Devin Vassell is listed as questionable for the game in Miami. He’s dealing with soreness of his left knee.

San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup

With the Spurs down multiple starters, it isn’t easy to predict what head coach Gregg Popovich will do. We know he’ll start Tre Jones at point guard, Keldon Johnson at one of the forward spots and Zach Collins at center. If Devin Vassell is able to play, you can pencil him in as the starting shooting guard. If he can’t play, Malaki Branham could start in his place.

Who will be the other starting forward? Against the Rockets, Popovich started Romeo Langford at forward next to Johnson. He could do that again this afternoon. The other option is starting Isaiah Roby at power forward and sliding Johnson to small forward.

Off the bench, we know that Josh Richardson, Doug McDermott and Charles Bassey will be in the rotation

Betting Guide: Spurs at Heat

As expected, the Spurs are major underdogs. Even though San Antonio is coming off of a win, oddsmakers expect them to lose big tonight. The Heat are favored by 12 points and the over/under is at 223 points.

Considering the Spurs are on the road and could be without as many as three starters, the smart money is on the Heat to win and to cover the 12-point spread. San Antonio might be able to keep it competitive but that will be a difficult task for the Silver and Black.