The Spurs may be one of the best teams on NBA League Pass. They have been electric when their guys are healthy. Unfortunately, we’ll miss a few key faces with Castle, Johnson, Collins, and Jones all out tonight. However, we will see Wembanyama.
Taking on the Trail Blazers in Portland tonight shouldn’t be too challenging. Portland has been on a slide lately, losing to absolutely everyone. The Spurs can pick up an easy one and take their record above 500 again.
San Antonio is just fun right now. The team is still clearly growing, but the amount of success they’ve had this year is already impressive. With some surprise faces stepping up like Julian Champagnie, the path forward for the Spurs is exceptionally bright.
The Spurs starting lineup should destroy Portland. With size and strength, they shouldn’t have any trouble getting to the rim. The bench is that part that worries us. They have so many guys on the bench out right now. The deep backups will have to step up tonight.
Overall, this could be a close game, but it’ll likely be a blowout. The Spurs are just the better team. They have the veteran experience, the superstar player, and the momentum. Unless Portland comes out shooting lights out, the Spurs will run away with this one.
Portland has been sad. They’ve been losing games to some of the worst teams in the league. With key injuries holding Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III out, the defense has fallen off a cliff. They allowed the Jazz, who have won 5 games all year, to beat them by 40 points. This team can’t shoot, they can’t defend, they can’t move the ball.
There is some hope, though. Donovan Clingan may return tonight, with Rob Will close behind. Getting those two back could bring Portland back from this tail slide they’ve been on.
The matchup tonight against the Spurs is rough, especially if Clingan doesn’t suit up. If he’s out, Ayton will be the only big left to seal off the paint from Wemby. If that’s the case, I say take the over on whatever Wemby’s points total bet is.
Portland does have a chance to take this game, though. They just need to find their shot tonight. Scoring has been the Achilles heel for this team. Some nights, they shoot 50% from three others it's 10%. The inconsistency makes them very beatable but extremely dangerous some nights. If it’s clicking for Simons and Sharpe, they can bury you.
They have taken down some good teams this year when healthy. That will go a long way if Portland can move the ball in transition and win the rebound battle. This team needs to get out in space; they’re near the league's top in pace, and it shows. When Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Scoot Henderson can score in transition, they look like a completely different team.
However, with Wemby in the middle and the amount of vet talent on this team now, Portland will struggle to do that.
Robert Williams Out
Deandre Ayton Questionable
Doup Reath Doubtful
Donovan Clingan Questionable
Matisse Thybull Out
Stephon Castle Out
Keldon Johnson Out
Zach Collins Out
Tre Jones Out
Spread: -3.5 SA (-108) / +3.5 POR (-112)
Total Points: 225
Moneyline: SA (-162) / POR (+136)
Victor Wembanyama Over 24.5 Points (-120)
Toumani Camara 6+ Rebounds (+105)
Chris Paul Over 9.5 Assists (-105)
Shaedon Sharpe 25+ Combined Points + Assists + Rebounds