Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Toronto Raptors
03/23/2025 03:00 AM
The Spurs look to continue their winning streak in Canada.
Despite losing two of their best players to injury, the San Antonio Spurs are playing some of their best basketball. The Spurs have won two straight games and now will hit the road for a matchup with the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors also have a long injury report. San Antonio can take advantage of their struggling Eastern Conference foes.
This marks the first game between the Spurs and Raptors this season. Both teams are on the outside looking in of the play-in tournament. Another win for San Antonio would put them in position to leap over the Portland Trail Blazers for 12th in the Western Conference and just two games out of the tenth seed.
If the Spurs can keep up their level of play from the last few games, they may end up competing for the play-in tournament after all.
San Antonio Spurs (30-39) at Toronto Raptors (24-46)
March 23rd, 2025 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch: KENS5 | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama – Out (shoulder), Charles Bassey – Out (knee), De'Aaron Fox – Out (finger), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G Leauge), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League)
Raptors Injuries: Ulrich Chomche – Out (knee), Gradey Dick – Out (knee), Brandom Ingram – Out (ankle), Jakob Poeltl – Out (rest), Immanuel Quickley – Out (rest), A.J. Lawson – Out (G League), Jared Rhoden – Out (G League), Ja'Kobe Walter – Questionable (hip flexor)
What to watch for:
Wing play
San Antonio has gotten good play out of their wings lately. Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson have been some of their best players. The Raptors have tough swingmen in R.J. Barrett and Scottie Barnes, who will give the Spurs a tough time. Another solid outing from the Spurs' wings could swing the game in their favor.
Blake Wesley's bench energy
One of the biggest revolutions of the Spur's late-season rotation has been third-year guard Blake Wesley. The point guard has been disruptive at the point of attack and a positive factor on the offensive end. Whether or not Wesley factors into the Spurs' long-term plans is still in question, but there's no doubt that he's been one of the most impactful players on the team throughout their last few games.
Boxing out and the defensive glass
Toronto isn't great at a lot, but they are strong on the offensive glass. The Raptors rank 6th in the NBA in offensive rebounds with 12.4 a game. The Spurs will need a team effort on the boards to compete with them, even without Poeltl. If the Spurs can keep the Raptors off the glass, they should have a chance to leave Canada with a win.
