The San Antonio Spurs have been solid with their guard-play but have struggled thanks to injuries to their key centers. The Clippers should take a victory with their rim-attacking prowess.
Picks:
LA Clippers def. San Antonio Spurs (-270)
Under 219.5 (-110)
Check out our NBA betting bonuses and promo codes here!
Head-to-Head: San Antonio Spurs vs LA Clippers
San Antonio Spurs
|
Head-to-Head |
LA Clippers |
| Gregg Popovich |
Head Coach |
Tyronn Lue |
| 4-9 (13th in West) |
Standing |
8-5 (6th in West) |
| L-L-W-L |
Form |
L-W-W-W |
| 107.2 (20th of 30) |
Off Rtg |
107.6 (18th of 30) |
| 107.1 (13th of 30) |
Def Rtg |
102.4 (3rd of 30) |
| 101.5 (5th of 30) |
Pace |
100.9 (8th of 30) |
|
Leaders (Per Game)
|
| D. Murray (18.4) |
PPG |
P. George (26.5) |
| J. Poeltl (9.7) |
RPG |
P. George (8.2) |
| D. Murray (8.0) |
APG |
P. George (5.2) |
| D. Murray (2.1) |
SPG |
P. George (2.2) |
| J. Poeltl (1.1) |
BPG |
I. Zubac (1.1) |
| J. Poeltl (.648)/D. Murray (7.8) |
FG%/FGM |
I. Zubac (.644)/P. George (9.8) |
| D. McDermott (.479)/D. McDermott (2.3) |
3P%/3PM |
I. Hartenstein (.500)/P. George (3.1) |
Injury Report
| Player |
Team |
Date |
Status |
Info |
| Z. Collins |
San Antonio Spurs |
2 Oct 2021 |
Out (Ankle) |
The timetable for Collins’ return is “after Christmas”, as per head coach Gregg Popovich. |
| J. Landale |
San Antonio Spurs |
14 Nov 2021 |
Day-to-Day (Health & Safety) |
Landale did not play in the Spurs’ Sunday (Nov 14) game against the Lakers. |
| J. Poeltl |
San Antonio Spurs |
14 Nov 2021 |
Day-to-Day (Health & Safety) |
Poeltl did not play in the Spurs’ Sunday (Nov 14) game against the Lakers. |
| K. Leonard |
LA Clippers |
28 Sep 2021 |
Out (Right Knee) |
Leonard underwent surgery on his ACL and there is no timetable for his return. |
| J. Preston |
LA Clippers |
7 Oct 2021 |
Out (Foot) |
Preston had surgery on his right foot and is projected to miss significant time. |
| S. Ibaka |
LA Clippers |
14 Nov 2021 |
Out (Undisclosed) |
Ibaka missed LA’s Sunday (Nov 14) game. |
| K. Johnson |
LA Clippers |
14 Nov 2021 |
Out (Ankle) |
Johnson missed LA’s Sunday (Nov 14) game. |
| M. Morris |
LA Clippers |
14 Nov 2021 |
Out (Ankle) |
Morris missed LA’s Sunday (Nov 14) game. |
How Can the Spurs beat the Clippers?
The Spurs have a tall task in front of them when they face off against the Clippers. If they want to steal a victory, the Spurs must key in on LA’s perimeter players.
The LA Clippers don’t have the strongest frontcourt, as evidenced by the fact that six perimeter players account for almost 80% of the Clippers’ points per game.
Murray, White, and Johnson will be responsible for containing the ball at the point of attack. Without Poeltl in the lineup, the Spurs will be in for a tough night if they let their opponents in at the rim.
Spurs Key Player: (G) Dejounte Murray
The Spurs are clearly in a rebuilding phase, but it is clear that Dejounte Murray is the star of this team. The do-it-all guard may not be in the spotlight, but he’s a problem for any opponent.
In his last game, a loss to the Lakers, Murray posted an impressive 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assist triple-double. He was also tenacious on the defensive end, collecting 3 steals and a block.
Murray can be inconsistent with his scoring, but he never fails in terms of effort on either end of the court. Against two solid defensive point guards in Jackson and Bledsoe, Murray’s point guard skills will be tested again.
How can the Clippers beat the Spurs?
The Clippers are one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. That should be the case with a wing trio like George, Jackson, and Bledsoe. But when they face off against the Spurs, they’ll need to translate that effort into the paint.
Under Gregg Popovich’s system, the Spurs are always an efficient basketball team. With the skill of their guards and bigs, they play great inside-out basketball. The Spurs are first in the league in points in the paint with 52.8 per game.
Between Clippers centers Zubac and Hartenstein, they’ll need to protect the paint. But LA can’t get complacent on defense and San Antonio are more than willing to zip passes out for better looks.
Clippers Key Player: (G) Paul George
On this depleted LA Clippers roster, there aren’t many places to look beyond Paul George. While their role players need to contribute, it is what George creates that will determine if they can take a win.
In his last game, a loss to the Bulls, George posted 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in 41 minutes of play. He was far from efficient though, converting on just 7 of 25 field-goal attempts.
George needs it to be aggressive for the Clippers to get back on a winning track. But he must be efficient if he’s not creating for his teammates.
/fit-in/222x222/frame-1-1.png)
/filters:no_upscale()/fit-in/1200x585/1665748429/spurs-vs-clippers-2021.jpg.jpeg "spurs-vs-clippers-2021")
/frame-1-1.png )
/1666344578/christian-jope.png "Christian jope")
/dmca.png "Dmca"){kind=small}
/1670944202/21.png "21"){kind=small}
/1670944628/2022-igb-best-casino-affiliate-gig-media-e1651053747946.png "2022 igb best casino affiliate gig media e1651053747946"){kind=small}
/1670944701/gig-media-power-affiliates-rank-123x40-1.png "Gig media power affiliates rank 123x40 1"){kind=icon}
/1670944773/800-gambler-black-144x40.jpg "800 gambler black 144x40"){kind=small}
/1718715753/gpwa.webp "Gpwa"){kind=small}
