The San Antonio Spurs are hitting a manageable portion of their schedule after an up-and-down begin to their season. After a strong win in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, the Spurs appear to be hitting their stride on the offensive finish. They’ll look to construct a successful streak in opposition to a younger and struggling Washington Wizards squad.
The Wizards and Spurs shall be an attention-grabbing matchup for years to return now that Washington has Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr to sq. up with Victor Wembanyama. These younger French gamers may very well be future All-Stars within the league. Final season, Wembanyama bought the higher of Coulibaly, however his former teammate has improved lots since final season, averaging 16.3 factors and 5.3 rebounds whereas capturing 37.5% from deep. Sarr is already making a defensive influence, averaging 2.4 blocks a recreation.
The Wizards have struggled to win video games, however they’re feisty. They drive the twelfth most turnovers within the league and amass 8.9 steals a recreation. The Spurs have struggled with turnovers (17 per recreation) – they’ll must deal with the ball in opposition to Washington. If the Spurs proceed to lock in defensively and shoot the ball effectively, they can overcome their errors and begin a successful streak.
November thirteenth, 2024 | 4 PM CT
Watch: Bally Southwest | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Tre Jones – Out (ankle), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Malaki Branham – Questionable (ankle), Jeremy Sochan – Out (thumb)
Wizards Accidents: Saddiq Bey – Out (knee), Malcolm Brogdon – Out (hand), Richaun Holmes – Questionable (sickness)
What to look at for
Wembanyama’s sizzling capturing at house
It’s virtually scary how a lot better Wembanyama’s offense has been at house. In 6 house video games, Wemby is averaging 21.7 factors and 11.8 rebounds whereas capturing 50% from the sphere and 40.9% from deep. He’s averaging 17.4 factors and 9 rebounds on 38% capturing from the sphere and 20.5% from three in 5 highway video games. Possibly it’s a comfortability factor, perhaps it’s the groups they’ve performed in San Antonio, or perhaps it’s statistical randomness, however he’s undoubtedly been higher at house. Look ahead to this development to proceed in opposition to the Wiz.
The battle inside
Wembanyama battled with Domantas Sabonis on Monday. Regardless of his bruising type of play, Wemby held in there and made his life troublesome on the rim. Washington’s huge man, Jonas Valanciunas, supplies an identical problem. He’s a bruising huge who thrives on the glass and within the paint. Sarr will present an attention-grabbing defensive problem together with his mixture of measurement and athleticism. The Wizards depend on their paint play to remain in video games, as they shoot simply 31.4% from deep and are twenty eighth in offensive score. Wemby and the remainder of the Spurs should management the painted space to win this one.
Stephon Citadel’s function
The rookie has been hooping since becoming a member of the beginning lineup. It looks like Devin Vassell will proceed to return off the bench and play restricted minutes as he comes again from harm. Which means Citadel ought to have extra time with the primary 5. His defensive depth, courtroom imaginative and prescient, and contact across the basket have match effectively with the remainder of the starters. Citadel is averaging 13 factors and three.8 assists as a starter. He’s getting extra comfy, and it’s exhibiting on the courtroom.
For the Wizards fan’s perspective, please go to Bullets Eternally.
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