After three nights off, the Spurs are on the street for his or her twenty second annual Rodeo Street Journey: that point of the season that has all the time been about constructing comradery and gearing up for a ultimate push in the direction of the playoffs. Whereas the latter half has been absent in recent times, the primary half remains to be true, particularly for the younger Spurs who’re nonetheless making an attempt to construct up their core. It’ll even be Victor Wembanyama’s first ever RRT and an opportunity for him to be taught what it’s all about.
The primary recreation will come towards an up-and-down Miami Warmth squad which have the expertise to be a lot better than their document however have been suffering from their common common season inconsistencies. Nevertheless, they’ve been on the upswing within the final week, so the Spurs have to be prepared for his or her higher model.
San Antonio Spurs (10-40) vs. Miami Warmth (27-24)
February 7, 2024 | 6:30 PM CT
Watch: Bally Sports activities | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs accidents: Charles Bassey — out (knee); Dominick Barlow — questionable (G-League)
Warmth accidents: Dru Smith — out (knee)
What to look at for
The nicely rested Spurs — For the primary time in fairly some time, the Spurs may have a relaxation benefit over their opponent. They lastly had three days off after a grueling stretch of schedule that includes 15 video games in 25 days, together with 10 in 14 to cap it off, and it appeared to lastly meet up with them final week as they went 0-4 and have been wanting gassed down the stretch of video games. Wemby particularly appeared to be struggling, be it from adjusting again to the trials of an NBA schedule and enjoying 30+ minutes per recreation after his restrictions have been lifted or due to the notorious South Texas allergy symptoms, which he admitted to be affected by. The excellent news is the cedar received’t be an issue in Miami tonight, to not point out the Warmth will probably be on a SEGABABA after a tough fought victory towards the Magic final night time. Hopefully with the remaining benefit, the improved model of the Spurs will probably be again in motion.
Which model of the Warmth will present up — The Warmth have been a little bit of a Jeckyll and Hyde workforce in recent times, typically going by means of the common season on cruise management earlier than hitting the fuel within the playoffs (look no additional than final season, once they turned simply the second ever eighth seed to make the NBA Finals). A few of that may be attributed to the mindset of Jimmy Butler, who admits to saving his finest effort for after the All-Star Break. Regardless, the Warmth are trending upwards for the time being. After dropping seven straight video games, they’ve received three of their final 4 and at present sit within the seventh seed within the East, simply 1.5 video games behind the Pacers for the all necessary sixth seed to keep away from the play-in event. Will the Spurs get the model of the Warmth which have received current video games and beat them again in November, or will they get a drained squad on cruise management? The one solution to discover out is to tune in.
You’ll be able to observe together with the sport on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or go to the Recreation Thread!
