Spurs vs. Raptors Preview: Two Teams Entrenched in the 2023 Trade Deadline
While the San Antonio Spurs have a better chance at winning the lottery than making the 2023 playoffs, a victory against the will-they-won't-they-blow-it-up Toronto Raptors seems reasonable. Wednesday evening sees two teams on similar paths but with vastly different records battle one final time before the February 9 trade deadline. It's unlikely that these teams will have the same roster before the aforementioned date.
Losers of nine of its last ten games, San Antonio is a prime candidate for unloading veterans and truly focusing on its younger talent. Despite such a lowly record, the Spurs have a bright side to their otherwise losing season: the never-tank Spurs finally embraced the rebuild.
On the other end, the Raptors, currently ranked eleventh in the Eastern Conference (tied record with the tenth-place Indiana Pacers), have plenty of options for the duration of the season. They don't need to rush a decision whether they blow it up or see it through for a possible playoff seed. However, similar to the Spurs, they have veterans, to a higher degree, though, that teams fancy.
Regarding the on-court product, don't let the Spurs' record fool you; they get out and push the pace. Unfortunately, for San Antonio, the fast-track approach doesn't translate to victories or competitive play, for that matter. Heading into Wednesday's contest, the Spurs rank dead-last in margin of victory and allow the highest effective field goal percentage league-wide.
Conversely, the Raptors stand as the fourth-slowest-paced team in the NBA. The Spurs-Raptors matchup feels like a grapple-fest of who will control the game. Fast-break opportunities for fast-paced teams typically make up a decent portion of production. However, the Raptors are the best team regarding turnover percentage, indicative of committing only an estimated 10.3 turnovers per 100 plays.
While it's essential to look at the matchup, the Spurs and Raptors must play the game within the game. While competing Wednesday night, it's only sensible to think the players involved ponder what's ahead as the deadline looms.
FUN FACT: While void of an All-Star in the titular event in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spurs rookie Jeremy Sochan earned a spot on the Rising Stars roster. Sochan is averaging 13.8 points per 36 minutes.
RECORDS: San Antonio Spurs (14-40) vs. Toronto Raptors (25-30)
WHEN: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 - 6:30 p.m. CT
WHERE: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto, ON)
TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass
RADIO: Spurs Radio WOAI 1200
ODDS: The Toronto Raptors are 11-point favorites over the San Antonio Spurs.
FINAL WORD: Both teams have championship-pedigree coaches, but despite Gregg Popovich's hall-of-fame career, his roster is on a different track than Nick Nurse's depth chart.
As the two franchises look to shape their futures, the Spurs can't forget about the game in front of them: growing the Spurs' youthful roster as Popovich inches closer to retirement.
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