National Basketball Association

Spurs (35-9) at Raptors (28-16): Preview

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:11 p.m. ET

Fansided, Brian Boake/FanSided via Raptors Rapture

While I’m normally an optimistic sort of fellow, I’m taking a day off today. The San Antonio Spurs are at the ACC, and there’s little or no reason to believe the Raptors have much chance at a victory.

DeMar DeRozan is sidelined for this game and tomorrow night’s against the Memphis Grizzlies. He twisted his right ankle against Phoenix, and there’s not much to be done other than rest.

With the Raptors’ offense on life support lately, even with DeMar, his unavailability is worrisome. Toronto has lost 3 straight to bottom feeders; how can they handle San Antonio?

Perhaps the Spurs will be tired from having played last night…no, scratch that, they moved to 19-4 on the road by hammering the woeful Brooklyn Nets while sitting Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili. They are without Pau Gasol and Tony Parker, yet have won 4 straight, including a win in Cleveland.

The Spurs are a perpetual seminar in how to play basketball the right way. Leonard is their top scorer and a model of offensive efficiency. He’s also the back to back winner of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. That sort of two-way brilliance exemplifies Spurs hoops.

In team history, Toronto has won a mere 11 games while losing 30 to San Antonio.

3 keys to Raptors victory

Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Spurs won 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion & Final Score

I’d likely pick the Spurs to win even if the Raps were healthy and had won five straight. Since neither case is true, the chances diminish to nearly nil.

Spurs 115 – Raptors 92