January has been a sort month to the San Antonio Spurs. Whereas nonetheless taking part in under-.500 basketball, the younger workforce has turned a nook, wanting extra assured and aggressive within the first month of the brand new 12 months. An unsightly loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday night time has put a damper on these efforts. The Spurs have an opportunity to reply and end this month on a optimistic observe in opposition to the Orlando Magic.
The Magic began the season sturdy, however have faltered currently – going 3-7 of their final 10 video games. Nonetheless, the Magic are an up-and-coming younger workforce led by their star wing duo, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando is a playoff contender within the East, however are nonetheless a workforce San Antonio can stack itself up in opposition to when gauging the power of its younger core. A win on Wednesday would give the workforce the enhance essential to cary them by way of the All-Star break.
January 31, 2024 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: BSSW | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (left knee,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Mamadi Diakite – Out (G League,) Dominick Barlow – Questionable (G League,) Zach Collins – Questionable (proper ankle,) Keldon Johnson – Questionable (left ankle)
Magic Accidents: Gary Harris – Out (proper calf,) Kevon Harris – Out (G League,) Jett Howards – Out (G League)
What to look at for
Orlando’s protection
The Magic are among the finest defensive groups within the NBA. They’re 4th in defensive score at 112.4. Jalen Suggs, Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and Jonathan Isaac are all fierce defenders who can disrupt San Antonio’s offense. Jamahl Mosley has gotten his younger workforce to buy-in on the defensive finish of the ground.
The Spurs have been up and down offensively this season. Due to their lack of constant shot creators, the offense depends on getting the ball inside to Victor Wembanyama, or hitting pictures from deep. The Magic permit groups to make round 12 threes per sport, twenty fourth within the NBA. San Antonio will want their main offensive playmakers to step up in opposition to a stout Orlando protection.
Tempo of play
Opposite to their final sport in opposition to the Wizards, this sport may tackle a slower tempo of play. The Spurs wish to get out and run for straightforward baskets in transition, as they’re 4th within the NBA in tempo. The Magic play a extra methodical type of basketball (nineteenth in tempo,) working within the half courtroom with main offensive choices like Banchero and Wagner. They may hammer groups inside, very like the Wizards did on Monday night time. No matter workforce can management the tempo of play will give themselves a bonus.
Successful the battle on the perimeter
Orlando is the worst three-point capturing workforce within the NBA, hitting simply 34.1% of their deep balls. The Spurs are twenty ninth capturing 34.6%. Neither of those groups are identified to scorch the nets, however whereas the Magic maintain groups to simply 36.1% capturing, the Spurs permit opponents to hit 38.8% on threes. The Magic will punish groups on the inside. San Antonio has gotten bumped and bruised within the paint a couple of instances this season, together with their most up-to-date loss. Making up for that with a scorching night time from three may give the Spurs the sting they want.
