Typically it simply takes one assertion victory to get issues again on observe. The San Antonio Spurs burst out of a tough 10-game stretch after Christmas with a blowout victory in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday evening. Unexpectedly, it feels just like the staff can as soon as once more conquer the Western Convention. However one sport overreactions are a idiot’s errand. Saturday evening’s contest is an opportunity to show the staff is again on observe in opposition to a staff that’s biting at their heels within the standings.
The Spurs will host the Minnesota Timberwolves after shedding a heartbreaker to them in Minneapolis final Sunday. San Antonio can have the remainder benefit, because the Wolves are coming off a late-night 110-105 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday evening. Minnesota has been with out its celebrity, Anthony Edwards, for 2 straight video games as a result of a foot damage, however his standing for Saturday’s sport is unknown.
The Wolves current a tricky matchup for the Spurs, with their dimension, power, athleticism, and taking pictures means. San Antonio has collapsed late in each losses to Minnesota this season. A powerful efficiency on each the offensive and defensive ends, as they’d in opposition to Milwaukee, would assist them earn their first win in opposition to the Wolves this season and create some separation within the standings.
January 17, 2025 | 7 PM CT
Watch: Fan Duel | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Stephon Fortress – Questionable (sickness), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Stanley Umude – Out (G League), David Jones-Garcia – Out (G League), Devin Vassell – Out (adductor)
Timberwolves Accidents: Not posted till 1 pm CT
Julius Randle on Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama skilled offensive success in opposition to a fellow Frenchman, Rudy Gobert, in San Antonio’s final sport in opposition to the Wolves. That success stopped when Randle turned his major defender. Randle was in a position to play bodily and get beneath Wembanyama, forcing him off of his spot and making it almost unattainable for him to make a transfer towards the rim. If the Wolves resolve to offer Randle the Wemby task once more, and so they in all probability ought to, San Antonio must discover a technique to get Wembanyama open for beauty. Look ahead to the Spurs to make use of flex screens and even fade screens on the perimeter to open up some area for Wembanyama in opposition to a bodily protection.
The Spurs came upon the Wolves can get scorching in a rush in each of their losses to Minnesota this yr. The Wolves do an awesome job of spreading the ball out with their bigs, as Randle and Naz Reid are each threats from deep. Donte DiVincenzo is a flamethrower, and if function gamers like Bones Hyland and Jaden McDaniels get scorching, the sport can get out of hand shortly. San Antonio might want to shut out to shooters and power robust photographs to maintain the Wolves down and out of the sport.
San Antonio’s guards appeared nice in opposition to the Bucks on Thursday. Stephon Fortress was environment friendly, De’Aaron Fox appeared snug with the ball in his fingers, and Dylan Harper supplied a activate the bench. The Spurs have a ball-handling benefit if the trio performs as much as its common requirements. Minnesota has lengthy, robust perimeter defenders able to making their lives troublesome. San Antonio will want probably the most from their guard trio to safe a victory on Saturday.
