Most dangerous Spurs trap game of the season is against a sleeping giant

San Antonio's next test is a tough one. Their focus will be tested in an 11:00 am game against Charlotte. The Hornets do not have a good overall record, but it would be a mistake to disregard them. They're 7-3 in their last 10 games, and they're currently on a five-game winning streak. This is a team playing a tough brand of basketball, and they're giving it to opponents on both ends.

The Hornets have the highest offensive rating in the NBA in January (121.9) and the fifth-highest defensive rating (109.4). They have the league's best net rating with 12.0, and the second closest is Detroit with a 7.5. This is a serious threat that the Spurs have to be ready for.

LaMelo Ball is the biggest name on the other side, but Kon Knueppel has taken the lead from Cooper Flagg in the Rookie of the Year race for a reason. He's been unbelievable this year. But another fun nugget to look forward to is the meeting of the top two picks in the 2023 draft.

Wemby and Brandon Miller will clash for second time ever

With Victor Wembanyama playing in the Western Conference and 2023's second overall pick, Brandon Miller, in the Leastern Conference, they're only going to get so many opportunities to play each other every season. They've missed each other far more than they've met, as one of them has been injured during most of those meetings.

The one time they met was in their rookie seasons. The Spurs won easily 135-99, and Wemby dropped 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Miller only managed one measly point, and the rest of his stat line was nothing to speak of, either.

You can bet that he remembers that game. If he's the competitor we think he is, he wants to put on a better showing against the one man who was drafted before him, and two years later, he's more than capable of doing that.

Miller is leading the Hornets in scoring this season, and while so many across the league have struggled in January, his numbers are up. He's averaging 22 points per game on 49% FG and 44% 3PT. He's been crushing it, leading a balanced scoring attack as Charlotte has five players averaging 12 or more points. They're a young team playing with fire, and the Spurs have to match their energy.

This game was supposed to be played at 2:00 pm, but it's been moved up due to inclement weather. Naturally, that's going to be more inconvenient for the road team, especially on the first night of a back-to-back with Orlando on the docket the following night. It's a classic trap game. The most dangerous kind.