The herky-jerky season continues for the San Antonio Spurs, coming into this match-up on the heels of losses to longtime rivals (and certain playoff groups) within the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
The Spurs are within the midst of a more durable stretch of their schedule, with upcoming video games towards the Warriors, Lakers, and Suns, and this could be their greatest alternative to steal one other win within the midst of it, with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder already getting a bit banged up in their very own proper.
With a bunch of their large males out for the foreseeable future, the Spurs (and Victor Wembanyama, ought to he play) should benefit from that benefit within the front-court of an extremely stingy Thunder staff (1st in Defensive Score, 1st in Opponent Efficient Discipline Aim Share, 2nd in Blocks, third in limiting Opponents Factors In The Paint).
Sadly, as a consequence of an low season devoid of front-court upgrades, the Spurs rank twenty third in factors scored within the paint and twenty eighth in 2nd probability factors, negating a few of their capacity to use the Thunder’s present weak spot.
Thankfully, the Spurs have leaned closely into the fashionable offensive profile, with 45% of their photographs coming from past the arc, and 38% of their factors this season coming from the three-pointer, one thing that’s helped cowl up these deficiencies.
The actual query is whether or not or not Wembanyama and Devin Vassell will play on this contest, as they profile as two of San Antonio’s greatest long-distance shooters.
Clearly, it is a recreation that’s already with out the crackle of a Wembanyama vs. Holmgren showdown, so the inducement to observe is lessened considerably, however the Spurs have been taking part in a few of their greatest basketball of the final a number of years currently, and are getting more healthy, so it’s been a pleasure to tune in to date.
Right here’s to hoping all of us get to take pleasure in an enormous serving to of Wemby operating wild in-and-around a poorly defended rim. It’s unlikely he (or any of San Antonio’s large males) will get this ripe of a chance towards the highest groups within the Western Convention with regularity. That is the kind of recreation {that a} positively creating staff finds a option to win.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
November 16, 2024 | 8:30 CT
Watch: TNT (RIP) |Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Victor Wembanyama – Questionable (Knee), Devin Vassell – Day-to-Day (Foot), Jeremy Sochan – Out (Hand)
Thunder Accidents: Nikola Subject – Out (Knee), Isiah Hartenstein – Out (Hand), Jaylin Williams – Out (Leg), Chet Holmgren – Out (Hip), Alex Caruso – Day-to-Day (Hip)
For the Thunder’s followers’ perspective, go to Welcome To Loud Metropolis.
PtR’s Recreation thread can be up this night for many who need to chat via the sport. You too can observe together with the motion via PtR’s Twitter feed.
