Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat – Game #46
Chris Paul and the Spurs look for a second straight win (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs play the Miami Heat tonight at the Frost Bank Center in the second night of a back-to-back. The Spurs improved to 21-24 on the season after beating the Milwaukee Bucks 144-118. Victor Wembanyama led the way with 30 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks.
The Heat, who are 23-23 this season, will be playing their first game of a four-game road trip. Back on Jan. 19, Miami defeated San Antonio by a final score of 128-107. In that game, rookie big man Kel’el Ware led the way for the Heat. Coming off the bench, the 15th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft had 25 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Jimmy Butler Suspended Indefinitely
Unfortunately for the Heat, their season has been dominated by Jimmy Butler drama. The 35-year-old swingman has been suspended multiple times due to conduct detrimental to the team. He’s currently suspended indefinitely. Miami is undoubtedly attempting to deal him ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.
Despite the drama, Butler is still a high quality player. In 25 games this season, he’s averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while hitting 54.0% of his shots from the field, 36.1% of his three-pointers and 80.% of his free throws. While the Spurs have reportedly been involved in trade talk recently, there’s little to no chatter regarding the possibility of San Antonio trading for Butler.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
Coming off the blowout win over the Bucks, interim head coach Mitch Johnson will surely start Victor Wembanyama at center, Harrison Barnes at power forward, Devin Vassell at small forward, Stephon Castle at shooting guard and Chris Paul at point guard.
As a starter, Castle has shined. In 27 starts, the rookie is averaging 15.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.4% from the field, 30.1% from three-point range and 75.9% from the free throw stripe. He hasn’t been nearly as productive coming off the bench.
Jeremy Sochan had previously been starting but he’s now being used as the reserve unit’s primary bigman.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Heat
The Spurs are favored by 2.5 points and the over/under is 222 points. The smart money is on the under. The Heat haven’t been scoring much recently and the Spurs are on the second night of a back-to-back. This has a good chance of turning into a relatively low scoring slugfest.