It’s been a decade – er – 5 days for the reason that San Antonio Spurs final performed. After a clutch 121-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Spurs bought some much-needed day off earlier than heading west for a recreation towards the Portland Path Blazers. They’ll journey with out some key gamers of their rotation.
Rookie sensation Stephon Citadel and key bench gamers Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, and Zach Collins will all miss the sport on Friday evening. Portland additionally has an in depth damage report that features key gamers like DeAndre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, and Matisse Thybulle.
These two beat-up groups will face one another for the second time this yr. San Antonio prevailed within the first matchup 118-105, led by Johnson’s 17-point, 11-rebound efficiency off the bench. The Spurs bought good play from their bench in that recreation and can want these gamers to step up with so many gamers absent as soon as once more.
December thirteenth, 2024 | 9 PM CT
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Spurs Accidents: Stephon Citadel – Out (left), Zach Collins – Out (low again), Keldon Johnson – Out (left calf), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Tre Jones – Out (shoulder)
Path Blazers Accidents: DeAndre Ayton – Questionable (sickness), Donovan Clingan – Questionable (knee), Bryce McGowens – Out (G League), Justin Minaya – Out (foot), Duop Reath – Uncertain (low again), Matisse Thybulle – Out (ankle), Robert Williams III – Questionable (concussion protocol)
What to look at for
Testing the Spurs’ depth
The Spurs will look to their depth for assist with 4 rotation gamers on the damage report. Count on Charles Bassey, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Blake Wesley, and Malaki Branham to get loads of enjoying time towards the Blazers. Portland is fifth within the NBA in bench scoring (39.5 factors per recreation), so getting good minutes from that group might be key when the starter wants a spell. A purpose for optimism: each Wesley and Branham had good video games the final time these groups confronted off. Branham had 17 factors and hit three triples, whereas Wesley had 10 factors, 8 assists, and a pair of steals off the bench.
Starters sans Citadel
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson could have some lineup choices to make with out Citadel. The simplest substitution can be to place Vassell within the beginning lineup as his alternative. Nevertheless, you possibly can additionally argue that his scoring punch may very well be helpful off the bench, and Jeremy Sochan can carry some defensive prowess to interchange what Citadel brings to the primary 5. With Vassell and Sochan beginning to get again right into a rhythm, the Spurs will probably must elevate their minutes restrictions to make up for accidents elsewhere.
Beginning sturdy
San Antonio has not opened video games effectively during the last week or so. They’ve misplaced 4 of their final 5 first quarters. The protection has been an enormous situation throughout that stretch, because the Spurs are giving up 34.8 first-quarter factors within the final 5 video games. A late, west coast recreation is normally a recipe for catastrophe for slow-starting groups. San Antonio has to discover a method to come out of the gates sturdy and set a tone for the remainder of the sport.
