The San Antonio Spurs return home for the first game of a back-to-back in the Alamo City. They took it to the Suns on Halloween night, but can the Spurs stay hot against the Pelicans and clinch their fourth straight win?
The Spurs are off to a strong start despite multiple injuries to several key players. Few wins have come easy early into the season, but the Silver and Black sit comfortably atop the Southwest Division with a 5-2 record.
San Antonio’s second unit hasn’t been perfect, though they continue to stand tall in the absence of the usual starters. While they’ve only managed to muster a measly 37.7 points per game so far, there’s no reason to be alarmed. Once the roster IS healthy, that number should rise substantially.
Speaking of substantial numbers, have y’all seen DeMar DeRozan’s insane stat-line this season? The four-time All-Star is posting averages of 27.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game through seven contests. Oh, and I forgot to mention his 25.8 PER and 52.1% shooting from the field are the highest marks of his decorated career.
DeRozan’s newfound efficiency has been a game-changer for San Antonio. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for fellow running-mate LaMarcus Aldridge.Though the All-NBA big man has seen his shooting percentages take a dive across the board, he has been a dominant rim protector and rebounder which has more than made up for his struggles.
New Orleans will look to stop the Spurs’ dynamic duo, and they might just have a chance if their superstar can fight through the pain. Anthony Davis (elbow) is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s matchup, but could still pose major problems should he suit up. The Pelicans are 0-3 without The Brow in their lineup, so keep an eye on his status.
You would think the Pels would sputter to a halt without Davis to carry the load. However, thanks to the efforts of Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle, the visitor’s offense has hardly missed a step.
The frontcourt pairing has combined for nearly 41 points and 18 boards a night. They’re more than capable of filling in for their injured teammate and they’re hard to slow down.
Regardless of who plays, San Antonio is in for another shootout. Both squads are offensive juggernauts with a penchant for avoiding defense. If you’re hoping for a high-scoring battle, you’ve come to the right place.
Expect more of the same from the Spurs. Lots of offense, not so much defense, and impeccable coaching. San Antonio should be a slight favorite at home tonight as they try to extend their winning streak to four games.
Viewing details for the game are below:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 3 Time: 7:30 p.m. CST Location: San Antonio, TX Venue: AT&T Center TV Info: FSSW, FSNO Live Stream: FUBO TV
Comments