The San Antonio Spurs are starting the season right. After a solid win in South Beach, the Spurs will look for a second win in Florida against the Orlando Magic. Nothing about the dominant start is unusual, unless you consider that the best player in the NBA is sitting out with a quadriceps injury. But fret none, the Silver and Black always work as a team.
San Antonio Spurs (4-0) vs. Orlando Magic (3-1)
October 27, 2017 | 6:00 pm CDT
Watch: FSSW
Listen: WOAI
Spurs injuries: Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps), Tony Parker (quadriceps), Joffrey Lauvergne (ankle)
Magic injuries: Adreian Payne (fractured left hand), Elfrid Payton (left hamstring)
Six Spurs in double figures in Miami
Questions surrounding Rudy Gay’s ability to return to form after his Achilles injury can be put to rest. Gay had 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals while coming off the bench against the Heat. The man is here to play. Add Manu Ginobili’s 14 points and the Spurs bench looks as potent as ever.
The starters also had a strong performance as Danny Green, Pau Gasol, and Kyle Anderson added 40 points to LaMarcus Aldridge’s 31. If you haven’t noticed, LMA is on a mission. Rejuvenated by better looks, the big man is at home playing the 4 with Gasol on the floor or playing the 5 with the smaller ball lineup.
Dejounte engages regardless of his point total
Honestly, I didn’t even notice he hadn’t scored until the middle of the 4th quarter. Dejounte Murray is doing what he needs to do: facilitating the starters. And on what was an off night shooting-wise, his teammates had his back. Murray didn’t get frustrated, he didn’t play too aggressively to overcompensate — he just didn’t land his looks. Watch closely to see how he reacts in his next game. Increased court awareness and confident ball-handling will serve him better than trying to make up for a sub-par shooting game.
Does anyone miss Simmons?
I loved this guy’s highlights just as much as the next fan. I also read a lot of the feedback and criticism of his play and not being offered a contract with the Spurs. Honestly, I’m liking these Spurs. I don’t think $20M to keep Jonathon Simmons would have made sense (hindsight being 20/20). So far, I haven’t seen where he would fit in to the 2017-18 Spurs —- at least, not the way Brandon Paul is filling in.
By the way, did you see Paul in Miami? I mean, did you see him? Seven points off the bench. Pure 3-point shot. Aggressive defense. Crazy upside. He’s everything you want from a Spur with limited minutes. At one point the Spurs small ball was BP3, Manu, Verde, Patty Mills, and Rudy Gay at the 5. The experimentation with lineups gives Pop a variety of skill sets. Keep looking for the Spurs to build on-court relationships that will serve them well as the season progresses.
Vegas odds: Spurs by 4.5
Game prediction: Spurs by 7.
For the Magic fan’s perspective, visit Orlando Pinstriped Post.
As always, Tony must dominate Fisher.
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