The Spurs will face the Suns twice within the subsequent two days. Within the first of the 2 conferences, the Silver and Black will probably be on the second sport of a back-to-back after a troublesome loss to the injury-riddled Grizzlies, internet hosting a rested Phoenix crew coming off a win in opposition to the Hawks and holding on to the seventh-best file within the West.
A crew with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker ought to be greater on the standings however accidents and a scarcity of depth have lowered the ceiling of the Suns, at the very least within the common season. They made strikes on the commerce deadline however have probably not appeared like a contender thus far and time is operating out. Closing the season robust is crucial for the Suns and the 2 consecutive video games in opposition to the Spurs in idea give them an ideal alternative to beat on a bottom-dweller to finish March. Surprisingly, the Silver and Black have performed them properly, however a targeted Phoenix crew will current an enormous problem for a San Antonio crew that’s inconsistent and unpredictable.
March 23, 2024 | 7 PM CT
Watch: Bally | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (left knee,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Jamaree Bouyea – Out (G League,) RaiQuan Grey – Out (G League)
Suns Accidents: Jusuf Nurkic — Possible (orbital contusion), Josh Okogie — Questionable (Stomach), Damion Lee —Out (Knee)
What to observe for:
Revenge of the Suns?
The Spurs, one of many worst groups within the league, are 2-0 in opposition to the Suns, a crew with championship aspirations. One of many wins was an epic collapse from Phoenix by which San Antonio got here again within the remaining seconds to steal it. On the opposite, the crew with the twenty seventh offense within the league dropped 132 on the Thirteenth-best protection within the league. For some purpose, the Spurs have had sudden success in opposition to the Suns this yr. This mini-series offers Phoenix the chance to get even, they usually would possibly need to make a press release. On prime of that, each opponent appears to play with goal in opposition to Victor Wembanyama and the Suns really want the wins to attempt to escape the play-in spots. It’s impossible the Spurs will catch Kevin Durant and co. without warning, so they need to count on to see the very best model of their opponent and match that effort.
Use depth or play the starters loads?
The Spurs will probably be on the second sport of a back-to-back on Saturday. Granted, the previous few video games have been in San Antonio they usually had two days off earlier than the matchup with the Grizzlies on Friday, however a SEGABABA continues to be a SEGABABA. The query is, will Pop go deeper into his bench or will he play his finest guys heavy minutes? Within the final seven video games Devin Vassell has been on the court docket over 35 minutes and on a kind of he eclipsed the 40-minute mark. Wemby has been enjoying over half-hour a sport for some time now. Within the final SEGABABA, Pop didn’t decrease their minutes, so we will assume he’ll give them, together with some others, their common enjoying time. With so few video games left and nothing to play for, nevertheless, it may not be the worst concept to present them a lighter workload and supply others a possibility to shine.
Maintain the Suns off the free-throw line
The Suns rank fourth within the league in free throw makes an attempt per sport they usually make free throws at a excessive charge. Regardless of sending the Grizzlies to the road for 31 pictures on Friday, the Spurs are usually good at maintaining opponents off the charity stripe, however so is Phoenix. Freebies might be a significant component within the sport. San Antonio already has an enormous challenge with permitting simple factors off stay ball turnovers so if that downside is there in opposition to the Suns and on prime of it in addition they ship them to the road within the half-court as a substitute of forcing robust pictures, a win feels extraordinarily unlikely. If Wembanyama is accessible it should even be key for him to remain out of foul bother. It’s typically tougher to be disciplined when drained, so being within the second sport of a back-to-back will not assist, however the Spurs should be sure they don’t seem to be simply bailing out their opponent.
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