Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Toronto Raptors

The Spurs are looking to win their first rodeo trip north of the border.

The author

Jacob Douglas
is on February 12, 2024, at 02.00

The rodeo trip hasn't been good for the San Antonio Spurs so far. San Antonio is 0-3 to start the trip and has lost its last 7 games. Miami, Orlando and Brooklyn gave the Spurs physical and defensive length challenges. The team lost their offensive flow as their star rookie Victor Wembanyama struggled with fatigue. They could find relief against a struggling Toronto Raptors team.

Toronto has won just three of its last ten games. After trading away two starters in OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, the Raptors look more like a lottery team than a playoff team. That's important for the Spurs, who own Toronto's first-round pick, if he falls outside of the top-6.

February 12, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. CT

View: BSSW | Listen to: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Charles Bassey – Out (Left Knee,) Sidi Sissoko – Out (G League,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Mamadi Diakite – Out (G League,) Dominic Barlow – Doubtful (G League,) Marcus Morris Sr. – Exit (not with command)

Raptors Injuries: Javon Liberty-Freeman – Out (G League) Markquis Nowell – Out (G League)

What to look at

Offensive consistency

The Spurs have struggled offensively in the last few games. Part of it is like dead legs in the middle of the season. Teams also seem to have a regular scout in the Spurs offense – crowd the paint, double Wembanyama and force you to beat him from deep. San Antonio is the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA. Toronto is in the bottom half of three-point defense.

San Antonio should be found against a defensive strategy that has slowed them down recently. Outside hitting from guys like Julian Champagne, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson could help open up everyone else.

Slow down Scotty Barnes

The Toronto Raptors may be one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, but they have an All-Star in Barnes. The wing averaged 20.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists in the first half of the season. In his last game against the Spurs, he had 30 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. If San Antonio lets him go, they could be in for a long night. They need to force him to be a jump shooter as he is shooting just 35.8% from deep this year.

Aggressive Vassell

Devin Vassell was sidelined against the Nets. He could not reach his places as in previous competitions. The Spurs need to be aggressive on him, getting to the rim as well as spacing the floor. Toronto is 23rd in the NBA in defensive rating and lacks individual defenders to break Vassell's rhythm. If he stays aggressive, the wing should be ready for a big game.