Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns – Game #50
Jakob Poeltl will be a key for the Spurs versus the Suns (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs will look to snap their four-game losing tonight against the Phoenix Suns in the AT&T Center. The Spurs, who are 14-35 on the season, have lost 12 of their last 14 games. San Antonio has the second worst record in the Western Conference and the fourth worst record in the NBA.
In the Spurs most recent outing, they got demolished by the Los Angeles Clippers by a final score of 138-100. The silver lining for the Silver and Black was the play of Isaiah Roby, who finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists in only 21 minutes (see the Grades).
The Suns, who are 25-25 on the season, have won four of their last five games. Phoenix actually had a four-game losing streak snapped in their last outing, a 99-95 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs won even though Luka Doncic sprained his ankle three minutes into the game.
This is the second game between the Spurs and the Suns this season. Back in early December, the Suns annihilated the Spurs by a final count of 133-95.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Devin Vassell is still out after an arthroscopic knee procedure. He won’t be available until around the All-Star break at the earliest. In addition to Vassell, the Spurs have three players listed as questionable.
Romeo Langford is questionable with tightness of his left adductor. Langford has missed the last two games. Jeremy Sochan is questionable with a quad contusion. He missed the game against the Clippers due to the injury. Josh Richardson is questionable with left knee soreness.
Phoenix Suns Injury Update
Devin Booker remains out with a left groin strain. The Suns have struggled to win since Booker got injured.
Phoenix will be without Cameron Payne with a right foot sprain. Landry Shamet is also out versus the Spurs with right foot soreness.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Head coach Gregg Popovich will start Tre Jones at point guard, Jakob Poeltl at center and Keldon Johnson at small forward. If one of Romeo Langford or Jeremy Sochan miss the game, expect Keita Bates-Diop to get a start. If both miss the game, expect Bates-Diop and rookie Malaki Branham to start.
Against the Clippers, Blake Wesley was in the rotation. If the Spurs are short-handed due to injuries, Wesley will likely be in the rotation once again.
Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup
Expect the Suns to go with Deandre Ayton at center, Torrey Craig at forward, Mikal Bridges at forward, Cameron Johnson at guard and Chris Paul at guard.
The key matchups for the Spurs will be Jakob Poeltl defending Ayton and Tre Jones guarding Paul.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Suns
The Suns are favored by five points and the over/under is 231 points. The smart money tonight is actually on the Spurs. San Antonio is at home and they’ll be hungry for a win. The injuries add a bit of risk but the Spurs should have enough firepower to at least keep it close.