After a blowout loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs will look to get again on monitor with one other matchup with the Portland Path Blazers. San Antonio break up a double-header with the Blazers earlier this month, taking part in one sport with Victor Wembanyama, and one other with out him. Wembanyama torched the Blazers for 30 factors, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and seven blocks within the final matchup.
San Antonio can be tasked with stopping the Blazers veterans, who gave them issues in prior matchups. Jerami Grant, Malcolm Brogdon, Scoot Henderson and DeAndre Ayton are all threats to attain. The Spurs will should be clicking defensively to safe a win at house.
January 26, 2024 | 8:30 PM CT
Watch: NBA TV | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (left knee,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Mamadi Diakite – Questionable (G League,) Dominick Barlow – Questionable (G League,) Tre Jones – Questionable (left ankle)
Hornets Accidents: Malcolm Brogdon – Questionable (proper knee,) Moses Brown – Out (left wrist,) Shaedon Sharpe – Out (decrease stomach,) Robert Williams III – Out (proper knee)
What to look at for
Three-point taking pictures
The Spurs are one of many worst three-point taking pictures groups within the NBA. They’re hitting simply 34.4% of their deep photographs (twenty ninth within the NBA,) and changing on simply 31.6% of their open threes. Even worse, they’re making simply 36.9% of their “vast open” threes. Deep taking pictures was one in every of their weaknesses within the loss to Oklahoma Metropolis wherein they shot 28.1% from deep.
The Blazers are among the finest groups at defending the three-point line. They permit opponents to shoot simply 34.8% from deep (fifth within the NBA.) San Antonio might want to make the most of the open photographs they do have. Shooters like Julian Champagnie, Doug McDermott and Devin Vassell getting sizzling may open the offense for drivers to get inside.
Bench output
The bench had a tough sport towards the Thunder on Wednesday. Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham and Zach Collins all struggled to maintain up with OKC. If Tre Jones comes again, shifting Blake Wesley again to the bench ought to assist with the defensive depth of the second unit. Johnson has traditionally performed properly towards Portland, dropping 29 factors in his final matchup. This is a chance for the bench to bounce again.
Wembanyama’s streak
In his final six video games, Wembanyama has scored greater than 24 factors in every sport. He’s averaging 24.7 factors a sport in January. The Spurs are working offense for him, and he’s capitalized by being assertive inside. Portland had no solutions for the massive man of their final matchup. Wembanyama may have one other large sport on Friday night time.
