Record: 27-36
Championship Odds: +750000
Key Players
DeMar DeRozan: 22.2 PPG, 5.6 REB, 5.6 AST, 1.0 STL
Dejounte Murray: 10.7 PPG, 5.8 REB, 4.1 AST, 1.7 STL
Bryan Forbes: 11.2 PPG, 2.0 REB, 1.7 AST
Rudy Gay: 10.0 PPG, 5.4 REB, 1.7 AST
Derrick White: 10.4 PPG, 3.2 REB, 3.4 AST
Players Sitting Out
LaMarcus Aldridge: 18.9 PPG, 7.4 REB, 2.4 AST, 1.6 BLK
Schedule
Day | Opponent | Time | TV |
7/31 | Sacramento Kings | 8:00 PM | Hulu Live |
8/2 | Memphis Grizzlies | 4:00 PM | Hulu Live |
8/3 | Philadelphia 76ers | 8:00 PM | Hulu Live |
8/5 | Denver Nuggets | 4:00 PM | Hulu Live |
8/7 | Utah Jazz | 1:00 PM | Hulu Live |
8/9 | New Orleans Pelicans | 3:00 PM | ABC |
8/11 | Houston Rockets | 2:00 | NBATV |
8/13 | Utah Jazz | TBD | TBD |
Bubble Preview:
Can the Spurs’ playoff streak stay alive? Well, the short answer to that is that it is extremely unlikely. ESPN gives the Spurs, who have made the playoffs for 22 straight seasons, a 2.9% chance of getting into the playoff field as an 8-seed.
Without getting into all the different scenarios for how the Spurs could get to 8th place, they essentially must go undefeated, or close to it, and they need help from other teams as well. To find out exact scenarios for how the Spurs could get into the playoff field click here.
After some concern as to whether Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich would be making the trip with his team, Spurs fans were delighted to hear that the 71-year old coach would be making the trip to the bubble despite the risks with the coronavirus. If there is anyone who can push a team with little playoff hopes into an 8-seed, its Popovich. But, a coach can only do so much; especially without his number one player.
When evaluating the San Antonio Spurs’ bubble roster, it is impossible to ignore the fact that they will be traveling to Disney without their best player, Lamarcus Aldridge. The Spurs big man is not participating in bubble action due to a shoulder surgery. With the odds already stacked against them, this was a real slap in the face to Spurs fans.
How can the Spurs overcome the odds and make the playoffs? For starters, DeMar DeRozan is going to have to play the best basketball of his career. DeRozan, who was traded from the Raptors to the Spurs in exhange for Kahwi Leonard in July of 2018, led the team in scoring, assists, and minutes played this season. It is vital that he steps up in a big way and carries the scoring load in the bubble. Other guys that will need to produce big numbers in order for the Spurs to be successful include Rudy Gay, Dejounte Murry, Derrick White, Bryan Forbes, and Patty Mills.
It is likely that Rudy Gay will be playing more of a power-forward role in the bubble, with the loss of Lamarcus Aldridge. I believe Gay’s numbers will spike during bubble play as he will definitely see an increase in minutes.
Although the odds are against them, you can never count out a team with a hall of fame coach. Can Gregg Popovich lead the Spurs to the 8th seed in the West?