Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge heads home for the first time after departing Portland for San Antonio in the offseason. After a nine year career with the Blazers, Aldridge handed over the reins of the team to guard Damian Lillard and, at 30, actually brings down the average age of a team still featuring the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili for their 13th year together.
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SCHEDULING
This is just the second game of a two game road trip for the Spurs, but over the larger picture, this will be San Antonio’s fifth game away from home in its last six and seventh in its last nine.
The Blazers on the other hand will be returning home after a brief trip to Denver prior to a four city road trip that involves a stop on the East Coast.
INJURIES
With San Antonio’s average age about four years older than the NBA average, their players need a bit more rest, but currently, the Spurs aren’t dealing with any injury issues.
On the other side, the Trail Blazers have yet to see power forward Cliff Alexander take the court. He’s questionable to return this week while he continues to nurse a knee injury. Shooting guard Gerald Henderson is also sidelined. He’s doubtful with a hip injury and has yet to take the court for Portland after coming over from Charlotte in the offseason.
KEY MATCHUP
The fan dynamic when Aldridge is introduced in a Spurs uniform will be interesting to see. The city recognizes how important the forward was to the organization, but it’s always hard to see a star come back in an opposing jersey.
Whatever the response, there’s no question that Aldridge will get up to play his former team. The Texas native will look to lead San Antonio into his other home and come out with the win.
Through six games, Aldridge is second on the team in scoring with 15 PPG and is first in rebounds with 9.2 RPG. He’s become an important force with Duncan, Parker and Ginobili taking on diminished roles. Aldridge and fellow forward Kawhi Leonard are the only ones averaging more than 29 minutes on the court.
In the past, it’s always been about slowing down Parker and Duncan when playing the Spurs, now it’s about handling Leonard and Aldridge.
To stop the duo, the Trail Blazers will turn to Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee. The duo has averaged 8.7 and 7.9 rebounds per game respectively and is third and fourth on the team in scoring.
Of course, the Blazers’ leading scorer is Damian Lillard. The fourth year guards has stepped up as the leader of this team with 27.1 PPG and 7.3 APG. He’s also always played well against the Spurs with 26.5 PPG in 11 career games, shooting 50% from the field.
He’ll likely have even more motivation this time around playing against his former teammate.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
On Saturday, the Spurs rallied to score a season high 114 points in a game that Parker and Duncan combined for just 18-points. Leonard, who over the past couple seasons has become an absolute star, scored 23 to lead a very well balanced attack. Five different players scored 11 or more and 12 different players put points on the board.
The depth of the Spurs’ roster is what makes the team so difficult to contend with. The Blazers are much more top-heavy with Lillard and third year guard C.J. McCollum shouldering the load.
McCollum is second to Lillard in scoring with 21.6 PPG and has really developed after averaging 6.3 PPG in his first two years. McCollum made a name for himself in the season opener with a 37-point barrage against New Orleans and has scored at least 15-points in each game since.
While the Blazers have the edge at the guard position, the forwards for San Antonio tips the scales back in the Spurs’ favor.
San Antonio 103, Portland 98
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The contest pitting the San Antonio Spurs versus the Portland Trail Blazers will commence Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at 10:30 p.m. ET at the Moda Center. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
