Air Alamo
FanSided

San Antonio Spurs look to make it two in a row versus Indiana Pacers

By Raymond Rodriguez

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 23: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to the basket while being defended by Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 23: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to the basket while being defended by Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The race for the 8th seed in the West continues as the San Antonio Spurs welcome the Indiana Pacers to town on the first leg of a back-to-back.

The 10th seeded San Antonio Spurs (25-33) begin a back-to-back against the gritty Indiana Pacers (36-24). The Spurs escaped with a victory against the Orlando Magic on Saturday night in what felt like a desperation win.

Tonight, the Spurs have a tougher matchup against the sixth-seeded Pacers. The Pacers have currently won five out of their last six games by averaging 109.3 points while allowing a mere 107.1 points.

The Spurs will need the similar shooting they had on Saturday night that propelled them to victory. They shot 52.4% from the field as a team without lead big-man LaMarcus Aldridge, who is currently listed as ‘doubtful‘ for tonight’s matchup with a shoulder injury.

The Dejounte Murray-Derrick White combo by minutes and Net Rating each month.

Oct: 0 minsNov: 8 mins, +27.8 pp/100Dec: 11 mins, -3 pp/100Jan: 31 mins, -10.4 pp/100Feb: 45 mins, +9.4 pp/100

Pop has increased the lineups with each of them on the floor slowly each month.

— Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) March 1, 2020

More from Air Alamo

Another blow to the Spurs’ mostly healthy season is the loss of center Jakob Poeltl to an MCL sprain. According to Poeltl’s Facebook page, he expects to be out between two to four weeks, though nothing has been made official from the Spurs’ medical staff.

With Poeltl out, we should see more Chimezie Metu and Drew Eubanks. Metu posted a strong 27 points and 17 rebounds in 32 minutes on Saturday night with the Austin Spurs.

The Spurs will need to contain Domantas Sabonis, who averages 18.4 points per game, and TJ Warren, who in his last outing versus the Cavaliers, put up a team-high 30 points. The Spurs need to continue to utilize their defensive tag-team of Murray and White, who have seen an increase in minutes shared together on the court. According to Air Alamo’s own Dylan Carter, White should be inserted in the starting lineup alongside Murray.

Next. Which Spurs are most important to team culture?

The Spurs will be short-handed with both Aldridge and Poeltl out, but in those losses, we hope to see more of our young guns get some extended minutes and opportunity to contribute to the quest for the coveted 8th seed in the West.