No matter momentum the San Antonio Spurs had been constructing throughout their four-game successful streak got here to a halt final week once they misplaced an exhausting sport to the Los Angeles Lakers on the second sport of a back-to-back. Now, with three days of relaxation below their greatest, the rejuvenated Spurs will look to get again on monitor towards the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings are in a tough early stretch of their season, dropping 5 of their final six video games, together with a latest loss to the Portland Path Blazers. San Antonio dealt with the Kings in a 20-point victory within the earlier matchup this season. Victor Wembanyama and Domantas Sabonis traded buckets, as Wemby had 34 factors and 14 rebounds, whereas Sabonis had 23 factors and 12 rebounds. These two trendy giants will conflict once more in a pivotal sport for each groups, because the Spurs look to remain above .500, and the Kings attempt to get there.
December 1st, 2024 | 8 PM CT
Watch: KENS5 | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
*NOTE: On a back-to-back, groups should report damage report by 1 p.m. the day of the sport
Spurs Accidents: Jeremy Sochan – Out (thumb), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League)
Kings Accidents: Devin Carter – Out (shoulder), Isaiah Crawford – Out (G League), DeMar DeRozan – Possible (again), Kevin Huerter – Uncertain (ankle), Mason Jones – Out (G League), Trey Lyles – Out (calf)
What to look at for
The battle inside
The Kings and Spurs have been an attention-grabbing inside matchup over the past two seasons. Sabonis is likely one of the strongest huge males within the league, and Wembanyama is likely one of the longest. Sabonis has used his power and contact to create benefits within the paint, however Wemby has received a couple of reps together with his size and instincts as a rim protector. Wembanyama’s capacity to win the matchup shall be a deciding issue within the sport.
Can Devin Vassell discover his rhythm?
Vassell has performed simply 5 video games this season on account of restoration from numerous accidents. He hasn’t essentially seemed like himself in any of these contests. Vassell is averaging 15.8 factors and three assists on 45.8% capturing from the sector and 40% from three. The Spurs will proceed to slowly reintegrate him with the crew, bringing him off the bench and proscribing his minutes. San Antonio might use his scoring and capturing punch. Vassell discovering his rhythm can be an enormous increase for the crew on Sunday.
Citadel vs. Fox
Stephon Citadel has discovered himself in a fringe defensive-stopper position for the Spurs. The rookie has shortly grow to be San Antonio’s go-to possibility for slowing down the opposing crew’s greatest guard. He’ll have a troublesome problem forward of him on Sunday, going through Fox, who’s averaging 27.7 factors and 5.8 assists. The Kings’ level guard is likely one of the most explosive scoring guards within the NBA together with his mixture of pace and contact across the basket. Citadel makes use of his power and motor to compete towards perimeter scorers. Fox is likely one of the premier athletes within the league. Their matchup shall be one to look at.
