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Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Indiana Pacers
By Jay Desai
The San Antonio Spurs look to earn their 10th win of the season tonight at home against a hot Indiana Pacers team.
The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.
How will San Antonio fare against Indiana? We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key matchups to predict the outcome of the game!
Recent Games
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs head into this game looking for their fifth straight win and their eighth in their last nine games. The Spurs are looking to stay hot tonight against an under .500 Indiana Pacers team.
San Antonio is looking to carry the momentum from its 99-87 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday into tonight’s match. In this game, the Spurs will also be looking for another great performance out of Tim Duncan as the former Wake Forest star nearly recorded a triple-double in San Antonio’s last win, seven points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in 25 minutes.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers come into this game hot. After starting out the season at a dismal 2-6 record, the Pacers have won five of their last seven and now find themselves only two games under .500.
The wins Indiana has claimed recently have also been good wins, making the team even more dangerous right now. The Pacers have road games in Miami, in Chicago, and in Dallas during this stretch, showing that they are not a team to take lightly.
Injuries
San Antonio Spurs
Cory Joseph, Point Guard – Joseph rolled his ankle in the first quarter of the Spurs’ 121-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He missed San Antonio’s last game against the Nets and is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game. Expect his minutes to go to other guards on the team.
Patty Mills, Point Guard – Mills is still healing from surgery on his torn rotator cuff. Expect his at the point to go to other guards on this Spurs roster, maybe even to rookie Kyle Anderson.
Tiago Splitter, Center – Splitter re-aggravated his right calf injury in the game against the Hawks and is listed as day-to-day with no timetable for return. Look for Boris Diaw to pick up his minutes.
Indiana Pacers
Paul George, Small Forward – George is still recovering from a broken leg he suffered while playing for the men’s U.S. basketball team. He is expected to miss the season. Look for no changes in the rotation as a result of his injury since the Pacers have been dealing with it all season.
Roy Hibbert, Center – Hibbert has been ruled out for tonight’s game due to an ankle injury he sustained in the Pacers loss to the Suns on Saturday. Expect Ian Mahinmi to pick up the start for the big man once again.
George Hill, Point Guard – Hill is listed as out tonight as he continues to nurse a knee contusion. Expect Donald Sloan and A.J. Price to continue to hold down the duties at the point.
C.J. Watson, Point Guard – Watson is another member of the Pacers injured. He is sidelined with a bruised right foot. Expect his minutes to be picked up by Donald Sloan and A.J. Price.
David West, Power Forward – West continues to be out with an ankle injury. Expect Luis Scola to get the start again in place of the injured forward.
Key Matchups
Tonight’s key matchup is a tough one to call due to the litany of injuries for the Indiana Pacers. Since we have to choose one, however, we will go with the San Antonio Spurs’ reserves against the Indiana Pacers reserves. Both teams have been dealing with significant injuries meaning that their reserves will have to step up and take charge to try to lead their teams to victory. The Spurs will most likely win the battle of the starters but if the Pacers bench can out duel San Antonio’s bench, Indiana might have a chance.
R. The San Antonio Spurs bench is one of the best in the league ranking in the top third in points scored among all NBA benches. The Spurs reserves must be at least somewhat decent tonight so that San Antonio can pick up an easy win tonight. The starters should be counted on to play well for the Spurs thanks to rest and an easy matchup but the reserves will also have to do their part to keep this game from getting close.. . . SAN ANTONIO SPURS BENCH
R. The Indiana Pacers are another team that features a strong bench. So far this season, the Pacers rank right behind the Spurs in terms of scoring by the bench. If Indiana can get a better than average outing from its reserves, the team could be looking at a real shot to knock off one of the hottest teams in the league. The Pacers bench also posts some of the best rebound numbers for reserves which could help to keep them in the gae thanks to second chance opportunities.. . . INDIANA PACERS BENCH
Prediction
The San Antonio Spurs should have no issue pulling this one out as long as the team plays to its talent level. While both teams have a long list of injuries and players who have just recovered from injuries, the Spurs have a slight advantage in that regards as they are only missing one potential starter in Tiago Splitter.
San Antonio won its last game in wire-to-wire fashion and much of the same should be expected tonight. Look for the Spurs to grab their 10th win of the season with another blowout.
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