The San Antonio Spurs lastly seemed a bit extra just like the group we’ll see come October 25 when the common season begins. That meant a glimpse on the beginning 5 consisting of Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Victor Wembanyama and Zach Collins. The “tall ball” lineup was efficient, main the Spurs to a 117-103 win over the Houston Rockets.
Friday evening will present this new lineup with its first main take a look at. The Golden State Warriors are undefeated, and of their earlier matchup with the Sacramento Kings, performed the vast majority of their rotation in all 4 quarters. Stephen Curry hit a recreation successful three-pointer to ice the Kings. Curry and firm shall be by-far the most effective group the Spurs have confronted all preseason, and shall be a superb gauge for the place the Silver and Black are going into the common season.
October 20, 2023 | 9 P.M. CT
Watch: KENS-TV 5/NBA TV | Hear: WOAI/KXTN
Spurs accidents: None
Warriors accidents: Kevon Looney – Questionable (sickness,) Rodney McGruder – Questionable (concussion,) Draymond Inexperienced – Questionable (ankle)
What to look at for
Can tall ball trump small ball?
San Antonio vs. Golden State will characteristic a conflict of kinds. With Kevon Looney and Draymond Inexperienced out of the lineup, the Warriors have run a smaller lineup that actually stretches the ground with Dario Saric getting the majority of the middle minutes. They may look to get dribble penetration and spray out to their shooters, or discover Curry, Thompson and different off display for 3.
The Spurs display navigation has been steadily bettering all preseason. They’ve let groups just like the Miami Warmth get scorching from deep, however that was earlier than this uber lengthy lineup got here into the fold. This shall be a superb take a look at to see how this group defends a bevy of shooters, and simply how disruptive their protection will be.
Securing the glass
The Spurs have been struggling to win the battle on the boards all preseason. They’ve been out rebounded in three of their 4 video games. They’ve given up over 10 offensive rebounds in three of their 4 video games. You’d assume with a lot dimension, they might be dominating the rebounding recreation.
Typically instances it appears they need to leak out in transition, slightly than ship a number of males to the defensive glass. Golden State has gamers who can punish you on the boards in the event you don’t field out, and giving second seems to be to such an environment friendly offense isn’t one thing groups can survive. Search for the Silver and Black to take a step in the proper course on the glass in San Francisco.
Can Wembanyama discover his rhythm?
Final recreation was a forgettable one for the Spurs first-overall decide. Wembanyama 15 factors, 6 rebounds and a pair of blocks on simply 3-10 taking pictures from the sector. He by no means fairly discovered his contact on his soar shot, and the Rockets did a superb job not letting him get straightforward seems to be within the paint. Regardless of that, he did an awesome job drawing fouls, making seven of his eight free throw makes an attempt.
If Golden State doesn’t have Inexperienced or Looney, Wemby ought to have a tender inside line going through him. This looks like a main alternative for the rookie to achieve again a few of his rhythm heading into the season opener subsequent Wednesday.
