McDonald: The final spot up for grabs between Derrick Brown and Eddy Curry? (Update)

October 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Eddy Curry (52) controls the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Update Oct. 20, 5:30 pm: If today’s minute distribution means anything, it would seem that forward Josh Powell and not Derrick Brown or Eddy Curry has the best chance of making the team. Powell earned 16 minutes with 12 coming in the final quarter. In a lineup with three guards and DeJuan Blair, Powell was the quasi-center, grabbing six rebounds.

Of course, fourth quarter minutes in preseason aren’t that important. Of the three, it was Curry who entered the game in the second quarter. He, too, played well in limited time, scoring nine points in seven minutes.

Brown didn’t enter the game today though his chance could be coming tomorrow against the Orlando Magic. As of now, it is still unclear who is on the inside track.

Oct. 20, 1:56 pm: The San Antonio Spurs may or may not use their final roster spot prior to the upcoming season. Given the intense competition between forwards Derrick Brown and Josh Powell and center Eddy Curry, it would be wise that they fill the spot.

Though he doesn’t figure to be in the same conversation, Wesley Witherspoon scored a game-high 17 points in the Spurs’ preseason win over the Houston Rockets. Witherspoon, however, didn’t make the trip to Florida.

So is it possible — with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich saying the Spurs starters will receive 25-30 minutes today against the Miami Heat, making playing time more precious — that it is now a two horse race?

According to Spurs beat writer Jeff McDonald, Popovich “hinted” that Brown and Curry were the final candidates for the position.

After earning 17 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks and Montepaschi Siena — in which he averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds — Powell has since earned seven minutes of action, including a DNP against the Rockets.

Meanwhile, Brown and Curry were utilized significantly on Sunday. Brown, whose defensive versatility helps him a ton, is averaging six points while shooting 57.9% from the field. Curry, whose offensive skill as a big man is a rarity for the Spurs, is averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds through four exhibition matches.

If Powell doesn’t receive much playing time today, the Spurs may have unofficially whittled the conversation to two players.