San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers: Prediction, Key Players, Injuries

The San Antonio Spurs take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night at the Moda Center.

The game is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.

This is the first matchup out of four, between the two teams.

How will the Spurs fare against the Trail Blazers? We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key players to predict the outcome of the game!

Recent Games

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are 17-7 overall and 9-5 on the road. The Spurs are coming off a 99-91 win in Denver. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 18 points, tied a career high in steals with 5 and had 6 blocks, setting a new career high. Tony Parker didn’t play as he is out with a mild left hamstring.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are 18-6 overall and 10-2 at home. They are coming off a 95-85 win in Indiana. LaMarcus Aldridge led them with 19 points and 14 rebounds. After winning 9 straight games, the Blazers are 6-3 since.

Injuries

San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan– Tim Duncan is out due to rest.

Manu Ginobili– Manu Ginobili is out with a low back contusion.

Tony Parker- Tony Parker is out with a mild strain left hamstring.

Tiago Splitter– Tiago Splitter is out with right calf rehabilitation.

Patty Mills- Patty Mills remains out with a right shoulder injury.

Portland Trail Blazers

No significant injuries.

Players to Watch For Portland Trail Blazers

LaMarcus Aldridge- LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the most dominant players in the NBA. The three time all-star is averaging 22.2 points and 10 rebounds. With Duncan missing for the Spurs don’t be surprised if he has a performance similar to the one he had in Chicago on Friday, where he scored 35 points.

Damian Lillard– The same thing can be said for Damian Lillard, he is as good of a scorer as almost any point guard in the league. Lillard is averaging 20.3 points, 6.1 assists and 5 rebounds. Lillard is also an elite shooter, as he is making more than 2.5 threes a game, shooting 38%.

Nicolas Batum– Nicolas Batum isn’t a star player like Lillard and Aldridge, but he does everything well. Batum is one of the most all-around players in the league. He is averaging 8.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He is a terrific defender and can also shoot the ball well. Surprisingly Batum is shooting 24% from three, expect that number to skyrocket and it can start with a good shooting game today.

Prediction

With Parker, Duncan, Ginobili and Splitter out the Spurs basically have no chance. In a game where even if the starters played it would’ve been difficult, I expect the Trail Blazers to win easy. Maybe Coach Gregg Popovich will think about not resting Duncan as much after this one.

Next: The San Antonio Spurs Have Built Championship Momentum