Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks – Game #60
Jeremy Sochan and the Spurs hit the road once more (Photo via Twitter)
The NBA All-Star break is over and the San Antonio Spurs head back out on the Rodeo Road Trip. Tonight, the Spurs go up against the Dallas Mavericks. San Antonio will be looking to snap their 14-game losing streak.
The Mavs enter the game with a record of 31-29, which is good enough for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Leading the charge for Dallas will be Luka Doncic. The Slovenian is averaging 33.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game.
While Doncic is still the head of the snake, the Mavs recently got him some help by trading for Kyrie Irving. Since the trade, Irving is averaging 28.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds in four games.
At 14-45, the Spurs have the second worst record in the NBA. Only the 13-45 Houston Rockets are beneath San Antonio in the standings.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Despite having more than a week off, the Spurs are still dealing with a lot of injuries. Most importantly, Devin Vassell remains out for San Antonio following an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee. There was hope that he’d be ready right after the All-Star break — but that’s not the case. The Spurs haven’t given an updated timeline for when fans can expect to see Vassell back in action.
Romeo Langford, who had been starting in place of Vassell, remains sidelined with left adductor soreness. This latest injury for Langford has kept him out for a month. Isaiah Roby suffered a sprained ankle shortly before the break and he remains out.
Tre Jones, San Antonio’s starting point guard, is doubtful against the Mavs due to left foot soreness. Jones missed four games with foot soreness, came back for one game and then missed the next two games. It sounds like he’ll miss another game tonight.
Jeremy Sochan is questionable tonight with left quad soreness. The rookie was able to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge during the NBA All-Star festivities — but there’s a chance he’s unable to play against the Mavs.
Khem Birch, who was acquired in the Jakob Poeltl trade, is out with a right knee injury. Julian Champagnie, who was recently claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia 76ers, is out due to being with the Austin Spurs of the G League. Champagnie is on a two-way contract.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
We know that Gregg Popovich will start Zach Collins at center and Keldon Johnson at forward. The rest of the starting five is unclear. If Tre Jones and/or Jeremy Sochan are healthy enough to play, they will be in the starting lineup. Rookie Malaki Branham has started the last seven games and is likely to start again.
If Jones or Sochan miss the game, expect Keita Bates-Diop to start. If both Jones and Sochan are out, other possible starters include Blake Wesley and the newly acquired Devonte’ Graham.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Mavericks
The Mavericks are favored by 14 points and the over/under is at 238.5 points. The smart money tonight is on the over. The Spurs are a bad defensive team and they’ll be missing a few of their best defenders. The new-look Mavs will look to exploit the Spurs early and often. On the other end, San Antonio should be well-rested enough to put enough points on the board to hold up their end of the bargain.