After splitting a house stand towards its two in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs will hit the street to face a well-recognized foe. The Silver and Black had been led to a 126-122 extra time victory by their new star, Victor Wembanyama. On Sunday, they are going to face off towards an previous star who received a championship in San Antonio – Kawhi Leonard. The final time Leonard confronted the Spurs he dropped 27 factors and seven assists in a 138-100 win.
The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off a loss to the Utah Jazz the place Leonard and Russell Westbrook missed clutch pictures with time expiring. Los Angeles will likely be with out considered one of its starters, Terrance Mann, in Sunday’s contest. San Antonio will look to win two straight as they method one of many hardest stretches of their schedule.
October 29, 2023 | 8:00 P.M. CT
Watch: NBA TV/Bally | Pay attention: WOAI/KXTN
Spurs accidents: Charles Bediako – Out (G League task,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League task,) Sir’Jabari Rice – Out (G League task)
Clippers accidents: Brandon Boston Jr. – Out (left quadricep,) Terrance Mann – Out (left ankle,) Marcus Morris Sr. – Out (coach’s determination)
What to observe for
Defending Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
The Clippers have a two-headed monster on the wing. Leonard and George have scored over 20 factors in each of their outings this season. They’ll pose a risk to a Spurs workforce that has given up over 120 factors in two-straight video games.
Jeremy Sochan will doubtless get the matchup on one of many superstars, leaving Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell or Wembanyama to protect the opposite. Vassell has seemed improved on the defensive finish. Wembanyama has primarily guarded perimeter gamers. Somebody might want to step as much as defend one of many Clippers scoring wings.
Devin Vassell’s scoring streak
All eyes have been on Wembanyama by means of two video games, nevertheless it’s Vassell who leads the workforce in scoring. By way of two video games he’s averaging 24 factors on 53.3% from the sphere. He’s been efficient attending to his spots off the bounce, and recognizing up from vary. He’s even been aggressive coming off handoffs, attending to the rim greater than final season.
He’s going to attract a stiff matchup towards both Leonard, George or Robert Covington. This will likely be an ideal alternative for the up-and-coming wing to indicate off his scoring prowess towards among the finest perimeter defenders within the NBA.
Zach Collins bouncing again
It wasn’t Collins finest sport on Friday. He had a tricky evening capturing the basketball, but nonetheless was capable of impression the sport in different methods. He solely had 9 factors, however tallied 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. The middle has been extremely concerned with the Spurs offense within the first two video games, getting the ball on the low block and initiating offense from the excessive put up. He may have an exploitable matchup towards Clippers middle, Ivica Zubac.
