Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat
The Spurs welcome the defending Eastern Conference champions to the FrostBank Center on Sunday night
The Miami Heat were just shut down. The Pat Riley Club aims to once again achieve more with less. That’s especially true after losing some key players in the Finals this summer and pulling Damian Lillard, even though for a long time it seemed like Lillard’s move to Miami was inevitable.
Instead, they return to a familiar formula, relying on veteran talent in Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, a rejuvenated Tyler Herro and the wizardry that Erik Spoelstra brings to the head coaching chair. It remains to be seen if they can match their highs at the end of last season, but they will certainly be tough for anyone as long as Riley pulls the strings behind the scenes and cultivates a legendary presence. “On the Culture of Heat”.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are trying to rebuild their legendary culture with young hopefuls. Head coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t have solid vets on the roster to lean on and help get these young guys on the court like Spoelstra does, so the learning curve through the first 8 games of San Antonio’s season will be evident. However, there is always something good to learn from the bad, and the disciplined Heat will be a great challenge and role model for these young Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs (3-6) vs Miami Heat (5-4)
November 12, 2023 | 6 p.m. CT
See: BSSW | Listen: WOAI (1200 hours)
Spurs Injuries: Tre Jones: Questionable (hamstring)
Injuries: Caleb Martin: Out (knee), Nikola Jovic: Questionable (wrist), Jimmy Butler: Questionable (knee), Tyler Herro: Out (ankle), Jamal Cain: Questionable (illness).
What to watch out for
Just 2 days after battling fellow Frenchman and former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama faces DPOY and All Defensive Team candidate Bam Adebayo. Adebayo is at the center of Miami’s strong defensive plans. He uses his strength against big men and his speed to trouble guards and wings. For Wemby, Adebayo is another early benchmark in a season that they will not miss.
The Spurs will get some breaks in this game. Not only is Miami on the road to MEGABABA, but they are also currently without point guard Tyler Herro.
Herro, who suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain 8 minutes into the Heat’s Finals win over the Memphis Grizzlies last Wednesday, leads the Heat in several categories to start the year, including points, 3P% and total shots. Jimmy Butler, a notoriously slow starter in the regular season, will likely be the guy who will have to handle most of the playmaking in Herro’s absence.
The 34-year-old vet may not get a ton of shots every night, but he’s still incredibly adept at shooting his way to the paint and getting to the free throw line. San Antonio linebackers would be wise not to settle for their pump fake!
Miami and San Antonio have both been mediocre this season, 43.3 RPG Miami (19th) and 41 RPG Spurs (27th). The Spurs certainly have the height advantage tonight, but rebounding isn’t about height. San Antonio has lost each of its last four games, all losses. Watch Hot Hoops from a Heat fan’s perspective.
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