The dreaded second recreation of a back-to-back rears its nasty head as soon as once more on Monday night time. This time, for the San Antonio Spurs and their opponent, the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors tipped off a couple of hours after the Spurs ended their recreation on Sunday. Each groups’ first recreation of the back-to-back had disastrous third quarters. Whereas the Spurs bounced again with a win towards the Nets, the Raptors couldn’t recuperate in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Spurs are off to a 3-0 begin, their greatest for the reason that 2019-2020 season. San Antonio has gotten stellar play from its famous person, Victor Wembanyama, and large performances from supporting gamers like Dylan Harper, Stephon Fort, and Devin Vassell. They’ve come when the group has wanted them most. The Spurs are 2-0 in clutch video games early on this season. That’s with out the previous clutch participant of the yr, De’Aaron Fox.
Toronto is off to a 1-2 begin, however has regarded spectacular via three video games. The Raptors are scoring the ball at will and taking part in disruptive protection on the perimeter. Toronto has scored over 120 factors in two of three video games this season. With a number of massive ball-handlers like Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett, the Raptors shall be a tough group to cease on the perimeter.
This can be a uncommon recreation the place the Spurs can have a relaxation benefit within the second recreation of a back-to-back. The Raptors shall be touring from Dallas and performed later than San Antonio. Nonetheless, they’ll have their fingers full with a proficient Toronto group as they appear to enhance to 4-0 on the season.
October twenty seventh, 2025 | 7 PM CT
Watch: FanDuel SW | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Submitted at 1 pm
Raptors Accidents: Submitted at 1 pm
Ball-pressure and turnovers
The Raptors need to get into the passing lanes, strain ball-handlers, and play quick. This is identical type of play that the Nets and Pelicans employed towards the Spurs and noticed good outcomes. San Antonio has to do a greater job of dealing with strain and taking good care of the basketball. That’s very true when groups ship two defenders at Wembanyama. The Spurs lacked composure of their final two video games when the massive man received double-teamed. The Raptors will undoubtedly be seeking to strain ball-handlers, be bodily with Wembanyama, and throw an additional defender at him when he catches the ball. It’ll be on the remainder of the roster to step up and make the most of offensive alternatives when that occurs.
Sandro Mamukelashvili’s return
A fan favourite shall be again in San Antonio on Monday night time. Mamu signed with the Raptors final summer time and has been taking part in effectively for them to start out the season. Mamu is coming off a recreation through which he scored 16 factors in 22 minutes. The previous Spur is getting stable minutes off the bench in Toronto. San Antonio is aware of how deadly he might be as a shooter and passer if he will get right into a rhythm. It will be becoming if the massive man had a great recreation in his return to the Frost Financial institution Heart.
The Spurs’ bench has been rock stable to start out the season. Harper, Keldon Johnson, and Luke Kornet have been pivotal in bench roles. Harper and Johnson arguably saved the sport on Sunday. The Raptors’ bench has been hit and miss via three video games. They’ve weapons like Mamu and Gradey Dick, however there hasn’t been plenty of manufacturing from the second unit. When the Raptors go to the bench, the Spurs ought to have a bonus. They’ll must take advantage of it to construct out and hold a lead on Monday.
