Carter Bryant will try to help keep the Spurs undefeated (Photo via X)
In a game featuring two of the hottest teams in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs host the Miami Heat tonight in the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs enter the contest with a record of 4-0, while the Heat sport a record of 3-1.
After losing their regular season opener, the Heat have rattled off three straight wins. On the season, Miami is averaging 131.5 points per game — the highest mark in the entire association.
The Spurs went 5-0 in the preseason so, combined with the regular season, San Antonio is 9-0 — including their latest win over the Toronto Raptors (see the Grades). While the Heat are thriving on the offensive end, the Spurs are locking teams up on the defensive end. San Antonio is allowing 104.5 points per game — the lowest mark in the NBA.
Tonight will be a classic battle of the league’s top offensive team and the league’s top defensive end. The Spurs are favored to win but it’s anyone’s ballgame. It’s fair to state that this will be San Antonio’s biggest challenge to date this season.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Even though the Spurs had two days off since their last game, no players have been able to return from injury thus far. Five players remain on the sideline: De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk and Lindy Waters III.
While the Spurs haven’t given any firm return dates for any of the five players, it wouldn’t be a surprise Fox, Sochan, Kornet, Olynyk and Waters are able to return in the next two weeks.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
The Spurs have used the same starting five in all four games. Considering the team is undefeated, don’t expect head coach Mitch Johnson to switch things up. That means Stephon Castle will start at point guard, Devin Vassell at shooting guard, Julian Champagnie at small forward, Harrison Barnes at power forward and Victor Wembanyama at center.
Off the bench, the two main contributors will be rookie guard Dylan Harper and veteran forward Keldon Johnson. Other players likely to see the court tonight include Bismack Biyombo, Carter Bryant and Jordan McLaughlin.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Heat
The Spurs are favored by 6.5 points and the over/under is 228.5 points. The smart money is on the over. While the Spurs have been really good on defense, the Heat are on a roll offensively. Thus, a high-scoring affair appears likely to be in the cards.