After five-straight losses, issues aren’t getting any simpler for the San Antonio Spurs. Not solely will they sq. off with the most effective younger groups within the NBA, however their damage report is crowded with key contributors. Tre Jones, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson all have damage designations heading into Tuesday’s matchup.
The NBA world will likely be watching two “unicorns” conflict below the brilliant lights (and above the brilliant courtroom) of the In Season Match. Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are two of the names talked about most continuously in far too early Rookie of the 12 months conversations. Each have been taking part in extraordinarily effectively to begin the season, and may have their first shot at taking part in one another because the preseason. Whatever the Spurs document, this can be a must-watch matchup for basketball followers who need to see two of essentially the most thrilling younger gamers within the sport.
November 14, 2023 | 6:30 P.M. CT
Watch: TNT | Hear: WOAI/KXTN
Spurs accidents: Charle Bediako – Out (G League,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League,) Sir’Jabari Rice – Out (G League,) Keldon Johnson – Questionable (proper knee soreness,) Tre Jones – Questionable (proper hamstring tightness,) Jeremy Sochan – Out (proper adductor tightness,) Blake Wesley – Out (G League)
Thunder accidents: Ousmane Dieng – Out (G League,) Keyontae Johnson – Out (G League)
What to look at for
Wembanyama vs. Holmgren
That is what everyone seems to be tuning in to look at. Two skinny, versatile bigs going at it. Though, it’s unlikely the 2 truly guard one another. Within the preseason, Wembanyama guarded Jalen Williams, whereas Holmgren was matched up with Zach Collins. The Spurs have run out Wemby on the 5 a number of occasions on the finish of shut video games. There’s a likelihood we see this matchup in crunch time.
The 2 bigs are main all rookies in scoring. Wembanyama is averaging 19.7 factors, 8.8 rebounds, and a pair of.4 blocks. Holmgren is averaging 16.4 factors, 7.6 rebounds and a pair of.3 blocks. Holmgren’s effectivity numbers have been spectacular for a rookie. He’s capturing 54.9% from the sector, 50% from three and 89.5% from the road. Wemby is capturing 45/30/77 splits in his first 10 video games.
One other shootout
The Spurs haven’t been nice defensively. They ratcheted it up of their final two video games in opposition to Minnesota and Miami, however are nonetheless permitting 124.2 factors per recreation, essentially the most within the NBA. The Thunder’s protection has not been top-class both. They’re nineteenth within the NBA in factors allowed, giving up 114.1 a recreation. With two porous defenses, we may very well be on our strategy to one other shootout.
The Thunder offense has been clicking of their first 10 video games. They’re eighth within the NBA in factors scored (115.9 a recreation.) They’re capturing the lights out from three, hitting 37.5% of their makes an attempt. Nonetheless, they don’t take loads of them, capturing simply 30.9 a recreation. San Antonio is permitting groups to shoot a league-high 40.5% from three. They’ll as soon as once more have to lock down the perimeter, or rating loads of factors in the event that they need to keep within the recreation.
Playmaking sources
The Spurs have confronted some playmaking issues to begin the season. Sochan is studying the purpose guard place and the remainder of the roster is adapting to Wembanyama. To make issues worse, most of their major playmakers are on the damage report for Tuesday’s recreation. Sochan, Jones and Johnson are all questionable. That leaves Devin Vassell, Malaki Branham and Cedi Osman because the group’s most dependable ball-handlers who’re positive to play.
It will be a shock to see all three of the questionable gamers sit out. Particularly with Blake Wesley becoming a member of the G League group. In the event that they do, count on to see the ball in Collins’ arms working out of the excessive and low put up. Branham will possible play a giant chunk of level guard minutes, with Devonte’ Graham probably getting some run. With each level guards probably lacking time, this is able to be an excellent likelihood to run some high-low motion with Collins and Wembanyama, in opposition to a Thunder group that likes to play small.
