Typically it’s important to depart all of it behind, fly abroad, and search for a recent begin. At the least that’s what the San Antonio Spurs will try to do after going 3-7 of their final ten video games and getting blown out of their final three. A visit to Victor Wembanyama’s homeland in Paris, France might be simply what they should proper the ship. They’ll say bonjour to the Indiana Pacers, who’re presently surging as they’ve gained 8 of their final 9 video games.
It’s a significant landmark sport for the Spurs who go to France for the primary time since drafting Wembanyama. They’ve spent the week doing loads of neighborhood occasions and even showing at trend exhibits. Whereas that is formally a street sport for the Spurs, count on a house atmosphere for San Antonio with a lot of the native crowd displaying as much as assist Wembanyama and firm.
These Paris video games could have loads of flash and celebration round them, however they’re extraordinarily essential for the Spurs. Two losses right here will put them in a troublesome place within the Western Convention standings and will influence how the entrance workplace operates with the commerce deadline looming. These aren’t fairly “must-win” affairs but, however San Antonio wants one thing to go its manner in the event that they need to proceed pushing for a playoff berth this season.
San Antonio Spurs (19-22) vs. Indiana Pacers (24-19)
January 23, 2025 | 1 PM CT
Watch: NBA TV | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Jeremy Sochan – Questionable (again), Riley Minix – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League)
Pacers Accidents: Rayj Dennis – Questionable (G League), Enrique Freeman – Questionable (G League), Isaiah Jackson – Out (achilles), James Wiseman – Out (achilles), Quenton Jackson – Out (G League)
What to look at for:
Defending the perimeter
The Spurs have gotten lit up from three just lately. With out Jeremy Sochan, their perimeter protection has suffered. The third-year ahead is questionable for this sport, however reviews point out he’ll attempt to play. Indiana performs a tempo and house fashion. They need to get the ball up the ground and shoot open threes. Indiana is seventh within the NBA in three-point (or because the French say, trois factors) share. They’ve a number of bigs like Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner who can house the ground. San Antonio should comprise drivers and get out to shooters in the event that they need to maintain again a potent Pacers offensive assault.
Getting Wembanyama concerned
Look, that is the Paris video games. Wemby goes to be motivated to have some big-time performances. The Spurs must get him the ball in advantageous positions to permit that to occur. Indiana has stout huge males who could attempt to decelerate Wembanyama’s inside assault. Working Wemby off flex screens, and utilizing him within the pick-and-roll or working motion to get him the ball in the midst of the courtroom would assist Vic set up a better offensive rhythm all through the sport.
Successful the bench minutes
Indiana will not be a deep workforce. Their beginning unit is gifted, however the bench leaves so much to be desired. TJ McConnell is stable and considerably of a nuisance, Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith are robust scorers, however the remainder of the group is simple to miss. If Sochan is again, the Spurs ought to have the ability to transfer Stephon Citadel again to the bench the place he can run the second unit alongside Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson. A giant night time from the bench might be all of the Spurs must propel them to victory.
