Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Brooklyn Nets – Game #37
Josh Richardson and the Spurs take on the Nets (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs go against the NBA’s hottest team tonight when they travel to Brooklyn to battle the Nets. The Spurs enter the contest with a record of 12-24, while the Nets have improved to 24-12 after winning 11 straight games. In fact, Brooklyn has won 15 of their last 16 games.
In San Antonio’s latest game, they lost by one point to the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs were led by Luka Doncic, who poured in 51 points and nine assists. Despite the 126-125 loss, the Spurs actually played really, really well. Keldon Johnson led the way with 30 points, while Jakob Poeltl chipped in 19 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. Johnson and Poeltl were two of the many players who performed well for the Silver and Black (see the Grades).
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have powered the attack for the Nets this season. Durant is averaging 29.7 points per game to go along with 6.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks. Irving is posting averages of 26.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
Both players are also shooting the ball extremely well this season. Durant is shooting 56.1% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range and 92.9% from the line, while Irving is shooting 49.1% from the field, 36.5% from three-point range and 91.5% from the line.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
After missing the last two games with knee soreness, Devin Vassell will return to the Spurs tonight against the Nets. Vassell is averaging 19.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season.
Unfortunately, the Spurs aren’t completely healthy, as Keita Bates-Diop will miss tonight’s affair due to an illness. The Spurs have said that Bates-Diop doesn’t have COVID-19 but haven’t given a time frame for his return to the court.
Blake Wesley, Dominick Barlow and Charles Bassey are out tonight due to being with the Austin Spurs in the G League.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
San Antonio’s starting lineup isn’t as much as a sure thing as it may appear at first glance. We know that Keldon Johnson will start at small forward, Jeremy Sochan at power forward, Jakob Poeltl at center and Tre Jones at point guard.
What we don’t know is who will start at shooting guard. Typically, Devin Vassell starts at shooting guard. However, the Spurs have been cautious with Vassell this season after he has missed games due to knee soreness and have opted to bring him off the bench. Vassell could start against the Nets — or the Spurs could play it safe and have him come off the bench.
If Vassell isn’t starting, expect Romeo Langford or Josh Richardson to get the start at shooting guard.
Betting Guide: Spurs at Nets
The Nets are favored tonight by 12 points and the over/under is set at 237 points. Although it may be tempting to put money on the Spurs, the smart money is on the Nets to cover. While 12 is a big number, the Nets have been dominant in their last two home games. First, they beat the Golden State Warriors by 30 points. Then, Brooklyn followed up that thrashing by pounding the Milwaukee Bucks by 18 points. The Spurs have been playing really hard lately but tonight they run up against a buzzsaw.