The visitors come down from the pacific northwest hoping to snatch a victory in Texas. The Spurs just stole one in Portland, so the Blazers look to return the favour. Both of these teams come into this one off thrilling games. Two fun rebuilding teams; each with NBA veterans in their rotations and sprinkled with burgeoning young stars – this should be a good one in San Antonio. 

Game Information

• Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas
• Portland Trail Blazers (9-18) visiting San Antonio Spurs (14-13)
• Previous Matchup: Spurs at Portland (118-116) on December 13th, 2024

All NBA Emirates Cup odds are courtesy of BetOnline 

Portland Trail Blazers @ San Antonio Spurs

Chauncey Billups and the Portland Trail Blazers are reeling. Early flashes of potential are fading away as the possible “tank” begins. The only consistency of this team is their inconsistency. This includes their rotations, shooting and defence. This team is 2-8 in their last ten and 3-11 on the road. They are 26th in points per game and 22nd in points allowed. ‘Capture the Flagg’ may be in their future. There is no shame in that. Defensive minded Cooper Flagg would fit nicely along side the offensive focused young pieces in Portland. 

The Spurs may be 5-5 in their last ten but something is brewing and boiling in Texas. Victor Wembanyama and company have embraced the ‘Area 51’ moniker and play well at home. They are 10-7 at home and under .500 on the road. They’ll be looking to build momentum against a team they should beat. 

Portland needs something spectacular to happen for them to win this game as they have gone winless in their last five as visitors. They also just recently lost to the Spurs at home. This is in no way a good matchup for them; however, San Antonio is soft on the glass in every way. If Portland’s big men can control the offensive and defensive rebounds then they may have a chance. The Spurs were out rebounded in their last three losses.

ANFERNEE SIMONS AT THE BUZZER 🚨

BLAZERS WIN. pic.twitter.com/Mse5aiK3Br

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 20, 2024

NBA Game Analysis

‘Area 51’ could get freaky on a Saturday night. The Alien himself is coming off 42 points in an OT thriller where they secured an impressive win over Atlanta. This could possibly be another night of otherworldly play. He’s adjusted to defences in the three short months of this NBA season.

Wembanyama 3 Points Percentage:

• October: 23.5% on 1.6 makes 6.8 attempts per game. 
• November: 38.8% 3.8 makes per 10.4 attempts per game. 
• December: 35.8 3.2 makes per 8.8 attempts per game.

Victor’s three point shot has remained a reliable weapon, but his attempts have slightly dipped because he increased his FT attempts from 2.6-6.7 from November to December. Concerns that he should not be taking double digit attempts should be quelled. He can do both! When he has advantages he does seek the paint. He was 10-10 from the free throw line last time against Portland. He only took 6 attempts from beyond the arc that game. 

My prediction is that the Spurs prevail and Wembanyama potentially has another fantastic offensive outing. He is also coming off of a game where he did not record a steal or a block. Knowing the Frenchman’s desire to be great on both ends do not expect that to happen again. The Blazers are 28th in 3-point percentage allowed and they do not have anyone who can guard Wemby at 25 feet from the basket or two feet in the paint. 

If Portland makes any noise expect their two prime trade candidates to be loud. Anfernee Simons has been very good in his last three. Jerami Grant is linked to half a dozen contenders and hasn’t been as good this year as the two prior but has been shooting well in December. If the Blazers control the glass and score in the paint then these two can handle business from deep. That is their only path to victory. 

Victor Wembanyama finishes with 42-6-5-2-4 (13/24 FG, 7/15 3P, +17)

This was all in OT: pic.twitter.com/OlNxZgGZcu

— NBA University (@NBA_University) December 20, 2024

Additional Insights and Injuries:

• The Spurs have no one on the Injury Report
• Matisse Thybulle: Out (Ankle)
• Dalano Banton: GTD (Hip)
• Chris Paul has averaged only 19 minutes in his 2 games against Portland. The Vet is being rested in this spot.
• Victor Wembanyama has exceeded 34.5 P/R in 6 straight verses bottom 10 NBA defences.
• The Blazers are giving up 122 points per game in their last ten. Spurs player props are a good target.

Victor Wembanyama o24.5 (-120) Points

This is going to be short and sweet. He is finding his game in the NBA and developing rapidly.  When Wemby is faced with a bottom ten defence he is devouring them, picking them apart in several ways, both offensively and defensively.  He’s played Portland twice and his stats were pedestrian by his own standards. Victor knows he needs to care of business at home as the Spurs begin a proper playoff pursuit in just his second year.

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