The good and bad news of San Antonio's upcoming March schedule

The hits just keep coming for the Silver and Black, and while it's for the best for the sake of a better draft position, it's going to be tough on the team to play through. There are 31 days in the month of March, and they'll have 17 games and four back-to-backs to get through.

They only have two days off in a row once, so there are going to be some tired legs, and I expect to see more Blake Wesley and/or Malaki Branham. Chris Paul has been an iron man this year, but March will truly test the conditioning of one of the oldest players in the league.

The good news for the players is that 10 of the 17 games will be played at home. But that's where it stops for San Antonio.

Spurs' schedule continues to push them toward a high draft pick

San Antonio will be playing the following teams, with the back-to-backs appearing on the same line with an "H" next to the home games.

Memphis Grizzlies - Oklahoma City Thunder (H)
Brooklyn Nets (H)
Sacramento Kings
Minnesota Timberwolves- Dallas Mavericks (H)
Dallas Mavericks (H)
Charlotte Hornets (H)- New Orleans Pelicans (H)
Los Angeles Lakers
New York Knicks (H)
Philadelphia 76ers (H)
Toronto Raptors
Detroit Pistons
Cleveland Cavaliers
Boston Celtics (H)- Golden State Warriors (H)

Looking at this list of teams, I think the Spurs will win maybe five of them. That's only if nothing changes and De'Aaron Fox does not decide to get surgery on his hand. He hasn't had a chance to get to San Antonio to get acclimated to his new home. Once he does, we may see a slightly different Fox.

The talented point guard has the ability to explode and carry games by himself to a degree. There are some weaker teams in this bunch, but because the Spurs are themselves compromised, no wins are guaranteed for a team that once dominated teams they were favored against. They may not be favored to win many games at all for the rest of the season, and they shouldn't be.

The players will go out there and win a game they shouldn't win, but they'll also probably lose some they looked like they might win. That's okay for Spurs fans who will ride with the team and watch the games, rooting for the guys to do well, but keep your eyes on the prize.

There are only three things that matter right now: obtaining a higher draft pick, developing Stephon Castle, and cultivating chemistry between Fox and his new teammates. That's it.