#PORvsSAS Preview
PORTLAND - A major strength in recent years, the San Antonio Spurs' annual rodeo trip has been a borderline disaster so far this February.
Looking to snap a three-game skid and win their first contest since the All-Star break, the Spurs travel Wednesday night to face a struggling Portland Trail Blazers team that's hoping to have LaMarcus Aldridge back on the floor.
San Antonio had the league's best road record on its way to winning the NBA title last season, but it's looked anything but comfortable away from home in 2014-15. The Spurs (34-22) are 14-15 outside of the AT&T Center and average only 97.0 points compared with 104.3 per game at home.
After going 21-6 on their rodeo trips over the past three seasons, this one has the Spurs itching to get back home. They're 2-4 with three games left in what will be a 28-day stretch between games on their own floor.
Following losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State, San Antonio tied its lowest-scoring output of the season and committed a season-high 22 turnovers while falling 90-81 to Utah on Monday.
"I thought we took a lot of contested shots that we didn't need to take," coach Gregg Popovich said. "I don't think we played very smart in that regard."
INJURY REPORT
Portland: LaMarcus Aldridge (right thumb sprain) is probable. Joel Freeland (right shoulder strain) is out.
San Antonio: None.
Participation Status Key:
- Probable – 75% chance that the player will play in the game
- Questionable – 50% chance that the player will play in the game
- Doubtful – 25% chance that the player will play in the game
- Out – Player will not play in the game
Projected Starters
SF
PF
C
SG
PG
Season Series
Previous Games
Remaining Games
Series Notes
- In his past 11 games against the Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging 24.5 points on 54.5% shooting from the field. Aldridge has scored at least 20 points in 10 of those 11 contests.
- LaMarcus Aldridge has notched six double-doubles in his past eight games against San Antonio, including a double-double in each of the first two matchups this season.
- In two games against the Spurs this season as a member of the Denver Nuggets, Arron Afflalo is averaging 26.0 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 18-of-31 (58.0%) from the field. Afflalo has also connected on seven of his 12 three-point attempts (58.3%).
Promotions
In Portland's Last Game
“We let that one get away from us,” said Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts. “A 13-point lead in the fourth quarter at home, you feel like you’re in a good position to win the game. Memphis did a good job pressuring us. I certainly thought we could have played better in the fourth quarter to get a win, but we didn’t do the things we needed to do in the fourth quarter and in the second half. Defensively and offensively, we struggled in the fourth quarter.”
The Trail Blazers are now 36-19 on the season, 23-6 at home and have lost their last two games. They currently sit at fourth place in the Western Conference standings. The Grizzlies have now taken three-straight from the Trail Blazers and have won eight of the last 10 meetings.
The first half of Sunday night’s contest what the kind methodical game you’d expect when playing against a disciplined team like the Grizzlies. Neither team shot better than 40 percent from the field, the lead changed nine times and by time the intermission arrived, the game was knotted at 38-38. Not exactly a high-flying offensive affair.