Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Washington Wizards

The San Antonio Spurs misplaced an additional time thriller towards the Phoenix Suns on Saturday evening as they fell agonizingly wanting their first double-figure comeback of the season. Although the children did not reward head coach Gregg Popovich a victory on his birthday, they may have an opportunity to make it as much as him once they host the white-hot Washington Wizards.

Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan are contemporary off 30-point performances of their earlier outing, and they’re going to look to keep up their momentum because the Silver and Black attain the center of their four-game homestand. The Wizards are on a five-game profitable streak with their stars wholesome for the primary time in endlessly, so buckle up for an additional 48-minute slugfest.

San Antonio Spurs (14-36) vs. Washington Wizards (23-26)

January 30, 2022 | 7:00 PM CST

Watch: Bally Sports activities Southwest | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs: Dominick Barlow (Out — Two-Manner), Charles Bassey (Out — Two-Manner), Devin Vassell (Out — Knee), Romeo Langford (Questionable — Adductor), Josh Richardson (Possible — Knee)

Wizards: Jordan Goodwin (Out — Two-Manner), Isaiah Todd (Out — On Task), Johnny Davis (Out — On Task), Anthony Gill (Out — Well being and Security Protocols)

What To Watch For

• Kristaps Porzingis, Bradley Beal, and Kyle Kuzma are one of many strangest trios within the NBA. Although they’re fascinating particular person abilities, their match on the hardwood is suspect. Combining for 66.1 factors per recreation seems to be terrific on paper, however these numbers have produced mediocre outcomes, leaving the Wizards hovering round play-in event territory with a 23-26 report. In all equity, a persistent hamstring damage pressured Beal onto the sidelines for a number of prolonged spells earlier this season, delaying the very important rotation minutes important for constructing chemistry together with his costars. Regardless of the All-NBA swingman displaying some rust in his newest return, head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has his group on a five-game profitable streak as his main males are studying to function in unison. Between the three-level scoring of Beal, the supersized ground spacing of Porzingis, and the well-rounded arsenal of Kuzma, San Antonio has one other defensive problem forward of them.
• Jeremy Sochan has been on an exceptional developmental curve over his final six matchups, averaging 18.2 factors, 6.5 rebounds, and three.0 assists on .500/.556/.864 taking pictures splits. Whereas the rookie encountered some robust sledding originally of the brand new yr, he has flourished because the Spurs’ second choice in latest weeks. He notched a career-high 30 factors, eight boards, and 5 dimes in an additional time loss to Phoenix on Saturday, placing his speedy offensive maturation entrance and middle. Sochan attacked the ring in transition, misplaced his defenders on backdoor cuts, pulled up off the dribble from the elbows, drained put up fadeaways, capitalized on mismatches and undisciplined closeouts, and related on a trifecta of stationary three-pointers. Gregg Popovich has inspired the 19-year-old ahead to remain aggressive as a scorer, and Sochan has responded properly to that problem. San Antonio has another recreation earlier than the calendar flips to February, however one other super efficiency may make Sochan the favourite to take residence Western Convention Rookie of the Month.
• San Antonio snagged the third-worst report within the NBA on Sunday, which might make issues fascinating, particularly with the commerce deadline creeping across the nook. Gregg Popovich explicitly acknowledged his disdain for tanking final season, however the circumstances have modified drastically now that this ball membership is locked in a three-way tie for the most effective lottery odds. The Spurs are greater than 20 video games under .500 for the primary time in 1 / 4 century, and so they desperately want a cornerstone expertise they’ll construct a franchise round. Josh Richardson, Doug McDermott, Stanley Johnson, and Gorgui Dieng have been invaluable veterans for a group navigating a rebuild, however there’s an opportunity none of them might be donning Silver and Black within the subsequent yr or so. As for younger prospects like Blake Wesley, Charles Bassey, and Dominick Barlow, followers will presumably see them stick round till PATFO decide what they’ve in them. On condition that context, it may be time for the older leaders on the group to take a backseat to their venture gamers.

For the Wizards followers’ perspective, please go to Bullets Endlessly.

The Sport Thread might be up this night for individuals who wish to chat by means of the sport. It’s also possible to observe together with the motion on PtR’s Twitter feed.