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With De’Aaron Fox being ruled out for the rest of the season, the Spurs are now past any illusions of postseason play, and are fully committed to player development and trying out new coaching strategies. The defensive strategy of collapsing to the paint and leaving wide open shooters on the perimeter might need some looking at, since the Spurs have had the worst defense in the league since Wembanyama hasn’t been available. Some of that is personnel, but the scheme also needs improvement.
The last time these two played, the game was decided by a Miles Bridges three point shot assisted by LaMelo Ball with one second left for a one point win. Giving up an open three-point shot with time running out and a two point lead was a serious mistake, and part of the reason that the Silver and Black have had trouble winning close games this season.
Let’s see if Stephon Castle returns to the starting lineup tonight with Fox’s absence or whether Jeremy Sochan is back as a forward instead of being miscast as the backup center. We should see more of Blake Wesley tonight, and maybe Malaki Branham will no longer be duct-taped to the bench for the whole game tonight. The two- way players have hardly played this year, but it would be great if they could get some extended run for the rest of the season. Tonight is the first game of a back-to-back, so it would be nice to give Chris Paul some extended rest so he could be fresh against the suddenly scary New Orleans Pelicans, who have a healthy Zion Williamson crushing teams that lack size in the front court.
Game Prediction:
Malaki Branham will be the 4th leading scorer for the remainder of the season for the Spurs, following Castle, Johnson, and Vassell.
One final word:
GO SPURS GOOOO!!!
San Antonio Spurs vs Charlotte Hornets
March 14, 2025 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: NBA League Pass
TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest
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