Bismack Biyombo and the Spurs play again tonight (Photo via X)
After an underwhelming defensive performance in a home loss last night, the San Antonio Spurs are back in action at the Frost Bank Center tonight versus the New Orleans Pelicans. San Antonio will look to erase the memories of the 145-134 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on this second night of a back-to-back.
The Spurs are now 27-38 on the season. They’ve lost four of their last five games and eight of their last 11 games. The Silver and Black currently have the eighth worst record in the NBA.
The Pelicans are one of the seven teams in the league with a worse record at 18-49. New Orleans has lost five of their last six games even though four of those contests were at home.
De’Aaron Fox Sidelined for the Season
Back in October, De’Aaron Fox suffered tendon damage in his pinkie on his left hand while with the Sacramento Kings. While he was able to play through the injury, it obviously bothered the star guard. Fox and the Spurs have decided to end his season so that he can undergo surgery to repair the damaged tendon.
After the Spurs acquired Fox from the Kings, he averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 34.0 minutes per game, while shooting 44.6% from the field, 27.4% from three-point range and 81.9% from the free throw line.
In the final game he played for San Antonio before being shut down, Fox had 32 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks.
This offseason, Fox and the Spurs are expected to discuss a possible long-term extension. The 27-year-old was only able to play five games with Victor Wembanyama prior to the French big man being diagnosed with a blood clot in his left shoulder, however the two players seemed to have a lot of chemistry in their time playing together.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
With Fox out of the lineup and Charles Bassey still battling a knee injury, expect interim head coach Mitch Johnson to go with Chris Paul at point guard, Stephon Castle at shooting guard, Devin Vassell at small forward, Harrison Barnes at power forward and Bismack Biyombo at center.
In 30 games as a starter, Castle is averaging 15.5 points per game along with 4.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds, while shooting 42.7% from the field, 31.5% on three-pointers and 74.8% at the line.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Pelicans
The Pelicans are favored by five points and the over/under is 238.5 points. The smart money is on the over. San Antonio’s defense has been bad lately and Zion Williamson and New Orleans should be able to take advantage of that. On the other end, the Spurs have enough young legs to still put points on the board even though it’s the second night of a back-to-back.