Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets – Game #59
Charles Bassey will play his first game after getting a new contract (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs are the owners of a 13-game losing streak. In their sixth game of the Rodeo Road Trip and their final game before the All-Star break, the Spurs will look to get back on the winning track tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. San Antonio is 14-44 and only the Houston Rockets (13-44) have a worse record in the NBA.
The Hornets are coming off of an impressive 144-138 victory versus the Atlanta Hawks. However, Charlotte hasn’t exactly been tearing it up this season, either. That win over the Hawks snapped a seven-game losing streak and the Hornets are 16-43 this season, which is the fourth worst record in the league.
This is the second and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Hornets destroyed the Spurs in the first game of the season by a final score of 129-102. All the way back on Oct. 19, Keldon Johnson had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Joshua Primo had 10 points and five assists off the bench in the losing effort.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Injuries continue to be a sore subject for the Spurs. Devin Vassell remains out following an arthroscopic knee procedure. Tre Jones will miss a second straight game due to a foot injury. Romeo Langford will miss a 12th straight game due to an adductor injury. Khem Birch hasn’t been cleared to play yet following the Jakob Poeltl trade due to a knee injury.
The newest addition to the injury report is Isaiah Roby. He’s out tonight due to a sprained ankle. Doug McDermott, who has missed the last two games, is questionable against the Hornets due to achilles soreness.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Gregg Popovich will likely go with the same starting lineup that he used last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In that game, Zach Collins started at center, Keita Bates-Diop started at power forward, Jeremy Sochan started at small forward, Keldon Johnson started at shooting guard and Malaki Branham started at point guard. Branham isn’t a natural point guard but he played well against the Cavs in that role (see the Grades).
Spurs Convert Charles Bassey’s Contract
Yesterday, Charles Bassey had his contract converted from a two-way contract to a standard NBA contract. According to reports, Bassey got a four-year contract worth $10.2 million, of which $5.2 million is guaranteed. It’s speculated that the final two seasons of his contract are unguaranteed.
Bassey is averaging 4.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 blocks in 13.6 minutes per game. The 22-year-old is shooting 67.1% from the field and 69.2% from the free throw line. He’s also 2-for-6 on three-pointers so far this season.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Hornets
The Hornets are favored by seven points and the over/under is at 243.5 points. The Spurs have allowed 128 points during their 13-game losing streak. The Hornets have allowed 122 points over their last eight games. With these two defensively-challenged teams facing each other tonight, the smart money is on the over.