The rodeo street journey has not been form to the San Antonio Spurs up to now. San Antonio is 0-3 to start out the journey, and have misplaced their final 7 video games. Miami, Orlando and Brooklyn all gave the Spurs issues with their physicality and size defensively. As their star rookie, Victor Wembanyama, has struggled with fatigue, the workforce has misplaced its offensive circulation. They could discover a reprieve towards a struggling Toronto Raptors squad.
Toronto has received simply three of their final ten video games. After buying and selling away two of their starters in O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, the Raptors look extra like a workforce heading for the lottery than the playoffs. Which is related for the Spurs, who personal Toronto’s first spherical decide, if it falls outdoors of the top-6 alternatives.
February 12, 2024 | 6:30 PM CT
Watch: BSSW | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (left knee,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Mamadi Diakite – Out (G League,) Dominick Barlow – Questionable (G League,) Marcus Morris Sr. – Out (not with workforce)
Raptors Accidents: Javon Liberty-Freeman – Out (G League,) Markquis Nowell – Out (G League)
What to look at for
Offensive consistency
The Spurs have struggled offensively over the previous couple of video games. A part of it appears to be lifeless legs on the halfway level of the season. It additionally looks as if groups have a constant scout on the Spurs offensive assault – pack the paint, double Wembanyama and make them beat you from deep. San Antonio is the worst three-point taking pictures workforce within the NBA. Toronto is within the backside half of three-point protection.
San Antonio should discover counters to the defensive technique that has slowed them down just lately. Guys like Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson hitting outdoors pictures might assist open issues up for others.
Slowing down Scottie Barnes
The Toronto Raptors could also be one of many worst groups within the Jap Convention, however they nonetheless have an All Star in Barnes. The wing is averaging 20.1 factors, 8.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists within the first half of the season. In his final sport towards the Spurs, he went for 30 factors, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and three blocks. If San Antonio lets him get going, they might be in for an extended night time. They’ll have to pressure him to change into a soar shooter, as he’s taking pictures simply 35.8% from deep this 12 months.
An aggressive Vassell
Devin Vassell had an off sport towards the Nets. He wasn’t in a position to get to his spots fairly in addition to he had in earlier contests. The Spurs want him to be aggressive, attending to the rim in addition to spacing the ground. Toronto is twenty third within the NBA in defensive score, and lacks the one-on-one defenders to disrupt Vassell’s rhythm. If he stays aggressive, the wing must be in for a giant sport.
