The San Antonio Spurs continue their four game road trip through the NBA’s Pacific Division tonight with a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The game is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN and KENS. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.
How will San Antonio fare against Los Angeles? We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key matchups to predict the outcome of the game!
Also, take a look at Air Alamo’s interview with Ryan Ruocco, who will be calling the game on ESPN today.
Recent Games
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs head into this game looking to build on their current two game win-streak. The Spurs won their most recent contest against the Warriors on Tuesday, 113-100.
San Antonio will be well rested for this game as the team has not played since that Tuesday night game. This is great news for a Spurs team that is aging and values resting its star players.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers come into this game as the Western Conference’s worst team with a 1-7 record. Los Angeles is looking to find a way to break their current two game winless-streak after losing earlier this week to the Memphis Grizzlies and the upstart New Orleans Pelicans.
It will be up to Kobe Bryant once again to try to lead this team to victory. While the rest of the Lakers team has played poorly, Bryant is still putting up the numbers we are accustomed to seeing from him, even following his knee injuries. Kobe is averaging 27.5 points,5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season. The only knock on Bryant’s game this year is his poor 38.8% shooting percentage, but that’s a result of no one else willing to produce offense.
Injuries
San Antonio Spurs
Marco Belinelli, Shooting Guard – Belinelli suffered a groin injury towards the end of the first quarter in last week’s win over the Atlanta Hawks. He is still expected to miss tonight’s game. Expect his minutes to go to Austin Daye.
Patty Mills, Point Guard – Mills is still healing from surgery on his torn rotator cuff. Expect his minutes to go to Cory Joseph.
Tiago Splitter, Center – Splitter re-aggravated his right calf injury in the game against the Hawks and is expected to miss tonight’s game. He is expected to visit a specialist and remains uncertain for future games. Look for Boris Diaw and Matt Bonner to pick up his minutes.
Los Angeles Lakers
Wayne Ellington, Shooting Guard – Ellington is out due to personal reasons. Expect his minutes to go the way of Xavier Henry.
Ronnie Price, Point Guard – Price is out due to suspension. The point guard committed a hard flagrant two foul on Austin Rivers in the Lakers loss to the Pelicans on Wednesday. Price is right behind starting point guard Jeremy Lin on the depth chart so look for his minutes to go Jordan Clarkson’s way.
Nick Young, Shooting Guard – Swaggy P continues to be sidelined due to a thumb injury. He will not be on the court for Lakers most likely until their three-game road trip. Expect Wesley Johnson to continue to receive added minutes.
Key Matchups
Tonight’s key matchup between the San Antonio Spus’ Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant might be the only thing to look forward to in a game that is expected to be a blowout. Leonard is an emerging superstar who is known for his Finals MVP winning performance during the Spurs title run while Bryant is one of the best all-time. It will be interesting to see who wins this battle of youth versus experience.
Prediction
The San Antonio Spurs keep their winning ways going after a slow start to the season. The Spurs experienced some hot shooting from three in their win against the Warriors and I expect that to carry-over into tonight’s game.
If we are being serious here, the Lakers have a 0% chance of winning this game. Kobe Bryant is good, but even he won’t be able to stop the bleeding that will occur later tonight. (Note: Air Alamo is 4-3 on San Antonio Spurs game predictions)
Next: ESPN's Ryan Ruocco Joins Air Alamo to Talk Spurs Basketball and More