San Antonio defense growing more porous

Last in the Western Conference, the Spurs have dropped two straight and have gone 1-7 SU over their last eight games. Their defense allowed an average of 128.2 points per game over the last five and this season they are giving up 122.1 points each night, 26th in the NBA. Teams are shooting 48.9% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range against them this season, with 14 threes and 18.1 free throws as well each game. San Antonio ranks 22nd with 42.9 rebounds per game to go along with a -3.8-rebound differential. The Spurs are pulling off 7.1 steals and 5.9 blocks per game. Rookie Victor Wembanyama leads the league with 3.2 blocks a night. The 7-foot-4 center also ranks 15th with 10.1 rebounds per game.

The San Antonio offense is averaging 112.8 points per game this season, 23rd in the NBA. They are shooting 46.1% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc while dropping in 12.7 threes and 15.9 free throws nightly. The Spurs are tied with the Blazers, turning the ball over 14.2 times a night but they have a 2.00 assist-to-turnover ratio which ranks 13th overall. Wembanyama continues to lead the team in scoring with 20.4 points per game on 46.5% shooting. He played in one of the two previous meetings with Portland this season and scored 30 points. Backup guard Tre Jones missed the team’s last game with a left foot injury and his status for Friday is in jeopardy.

Offense looking up for Portland

With a win on Wednesday the Trail Blazers stopped a two-game losing streak but they have gone 3-2 SU over their last five games as they sit in 14th place in the West. The offense has averaged 115.8 points over their last five and this season the Portland offense is putting up 108.3 points per game, 29th in the NBA. They are shooting 43.6% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc while knocking down 12.3 three pointers and 17.2 free throws each night. Their 14.2 turnovers per game are tied for fourth most and their 1.49 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks dead last in the league. Anfernee Simons scored a team-high 33 points in the win at Houston, shooting 13-20 overall with four three pointers. The Blazers guard is averaging 23 points in the 22 games he has played in this season.

On defense, Portland is allowing 117.3 points per game, 19th in the NBA. Opponents are shooting 49.7% from the field against them, fifth worst overall, and 34.8% from three-point range. Teams also average 11.6 three pointers and 18.9 free throws against them each night. The Blazers are pulling down 41.7 rebounds a game, 25th in the league, and they have a -3-rebound differential. They also average 7.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game. Deandre Ayton is 10th in the league with 10.5 rebounds per game. The Portland center yanked down 17 rebounds last time, his second highest total on the year.