NBA 2018-19: Predicted Starting Lineups and Match Prediction - San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers
Match Details
Portland Trail Blazers (32-21) vs San Antonio Spurs (32-24)
February 8th, 2018, Tuesday 9:00 am IST
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Head to head (Regular Season)
Matches played: 168 games
San Antonio Spurs won: 85 games
Portland Trail Blazers won: 83 games
Last game played: San Antonio Spurs beat the Trail Blazers, 131-118
Match Overview
The Portland Trail Blazers face a tough opponent at the Moda Center in Portland with the travelling San Antonio Spurs.
The Trail Blazers are doing really well of late and are in the fourth position in the Western Conference.
They have a 32-21 record and after starting the season on fire, have been alright of late, having won just 6 of their last 10 matches.
The San Antonio Spurs had a rough start to their season but have managed to pick up the pace of late. They are currently sixth in the Western Conference with a 32-24 record and have been okay of late, winning just six games of their last 10 matches.
In their last game, the Portland Trail Blazers suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat, 108-118.
The San Antonio Spurs traveled to the Oracle Arena, only to get beaten by the Golden State Warriors, 141-102.
Injuries
Portland Trail Blazers: Guard Rodney Hood is considered day to day with an undisclosed injury.
San Antonio Spurs: Guard Dejounte Murray is out for the season with a knee injury, while guard Derrick White is considered day to day with a heel injury.
Forward LaMarcus Aldridge and guard DeMar DeRozan missed the last game as they were rested and will probably return against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Players to watch out for
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is arguably the best player on this roster and has backed it up with his superb play. He has been absolutely amazing for a Portland team that is playing really well this season.
Lillard had started the season on fire, averaging just under 30 points per game, along with six assists as well but has slowed down of late and is averaging 26.2 points per game, along with 6.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game for the season.
If the Spurs need to stop someone in order to win, Lillard is the one they need to overcome.
Last game stats: 13 points, 5-15 FG, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 4 TOs against the Miami Heat
San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge
The San Antonio Spurs started off the season really badly, but have been playing really well off late, thanks to some really good performances by their star forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
He had an underwhelming November but has responded with some superb performances in December and January and is averaging 21.2 points per game, along with 8.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists as well.
He is also a superb rim protector, averaging 1.2 blocks per game. If the Blazers need to grab a win over the Spurs, they need to stop Aldridge from wreaking havoc.
Last game stats: 22 points, 6-13 FG, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block and 1 TO against the Sacramento Kings.
Predicted Starting Lineup
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard (G), CJ McCollum (G), Moe Harkless (F), Al-Farouq Aminu (F), Jusuf Nurkic (C)
San Antonio Spurs: Bryn Forbes (G), DeMar DeRozan (G), Rudy Gay (F), Davis Bertans (F), LaMarcus Aldridge (C).
Match Prediction: San Antonio Spurs to beat the Portland Trail Blazers
This one will be a tough game to predict as the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers are both trying to overcome their loss in form.
It will eventually be the San Antonio Spurs that will overcome the Portland Trail Blazers as they have always grinded out games against tough opponents and the return of DeRozan and Aldridge would seem to push them over the line.