Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – Game #67
Keldon Johnson might not play tonight due to an injury (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs will attempt to follow up what was arguably their best win of the season with another victory when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the AT&T Center. The Spurs kicked off their six-game homestand with a bang, defeating the top seeded Denver Nuggets by a final score of 128-120. Keldon Johnson led the way for San Antonio with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals (see the Grades).
With the win, the Spurs now have the third worst record in the league at 17-49. The two teams below them in the standings are the Houston Rockets (15-52) and Detroit Pistons (15-53).
The Thunder, who enter tonight’s affair with a record of 32-35, have been more competitive than expected this season. Although they’re below .500, the Thunder are only a half game behind the tenth seeded Utah Jazz and one game behind the ninth seeded Los Angeles Lakers. If Oklahoma City wants to make the play-in tournament in the Western Conference, there’s definitely an opportunity.
This is the third and final meeting between the Spurs and Thunder this season. The previous two contests took place in Oklahoma City and the Thunder won both.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
For the game against the Nuggets, the injury report for the Silver and Black was clean. Unfortunately, that appears to have been only a one game fluke. For tonight’s contests, there are a number of injuries to report.
First of all, Tre Jones is out. The point guard, who came off the bench against the Nuggets, is dealing with an illness. The Spurs haven’t given specifics other than to say that he doesn’t have COVID-19.
Two key players for the Spurs are questionable: Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan. Johnson has foot soreness, while Sochan has knee soreness.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
We can safely say that head coach Gregg Popovich will start Malaki Branham, Devin Vassell and Zach Collins. If Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan can play, they will both start. If one of them misses the game, expect Keita Bates-Diop to step in as the replacement starter.
If both Johnson and Sochan are out, expect Bates-Diop to start along with either Devonte’ Graham, Romeo Langford or perhaps even Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Blake Wesley Recalled from the Austin Spurs
With Tre Jones out, the Spurs decided to fortify their guard depth by recalling Blake Wesley from the G League. In Wesley’s latest game with the Austin Spurs, he had a big night. He finished the contest with 30 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in an Austin victory.
On the season, Wesley is averaging 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 11 games with Austin in the G League.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Thunder
The Thunder are favored tonight by three points and the over/under is 237 points. Considering that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss the game for Oklahoma City, the smart money is actually on the Spurs. The Thunder have lost five of the last six games in which SGA hasn’t played. Add in the fact that San Antonio is coming off of an impressive victory and this game tonight should at least be close.