The San Antonio Spurs have stumbled of their final two video games to Japanese Convention opponents. Coming off a loss to the Orlando Magic, the Spurs will look to bounce again in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans within the sixth recreation of their residence stand. The final time these two confronted off in December, the Pelicans crushed the Spurs inside on the way in which to a San Antonio 121-106 loss.
Issues have modified fairly a bit for the Spurs since they final confronted the Pels. Tre Jones is a full-time starter, Victor Wembanyama has taken over because the beginning middle and Keldon Johnson has been requested to play a sixth man position. With Johnson and Zach Collins’ statuses up within the air, the Spurs might must go deeper into their bench once more on Friday evening. They’ll want a stronger inside recreation to snap their two-game dropping streak.
San Antonio Spurs (10-38) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (27-21)
February 2, 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 elbow)
Pelicans Accidents: Herbert Jones – Questionable (proper adductor,) Malcolm Hill – Out (G League,) E.J. Liddell – Out (G League,) Larry Nance Jr., – Questionable (left ankle,) Dereon Seabron – Out (G League,) Zion Williamson – Questionable (left foot,) Cody Zeller – Out there (face; masks)
What to look at for
Successful the battle within the paint
Of their final recreation, the Pelicans dominated the Spurs inside, outscoring them 52 to 38 within the paint. Jonas Valanciunas feasted within the paint for twenty-four factors and 12 rebounds. Brandon Ingram acquired to the road eight instances and Zion Williamson did harm to the Spurs inside. Granted, Wembanyama didn’t play that recreation, however the Pelicans took benefit of the Spurs weaker inside efficiency.
Getting Wembanyama again will assist bolster the Spurs entrance line. If Collins is out, they’ll want Dominick Barlow and Jeremy Sochan to proceed taking part in robust inside. It might be a protracted evening for the Spurs in the event that they don’t.
Guarding the three-point line
Whereas the Orlando Magic have been one of many worst three-point capturing groups within the league, the New Orleans Pelicans are top-of-the-line. The Pelicans hit 37.9% of their threes, the sixth finest proportion within the NBA. Trey Murphy III, C.J. McCollum and Jordan Hawkins are all huge time threats from deep. Ingram has grow to be an inside out menace, and Valanciunas can hit the occasional deep ball if left alone.
San Antonio has allowed groups to go off from deep this season. They’ll must preserve the Pelicans shooters in examine on Friday.
Limiting unforced errors
The final time the Spurs performed the Pelicans they turned the ball over 20 instances. Of their final recreation they caught the turnover bug, too. San Antonio’s second unit has particularly been turnover inclined recently. New Orleans is tenth in defensive score. They drive 13.8 turnovers a recreation. San Antonio has to worth the possession and maintain the basketball in opposition to an excellent defensive membership.
