The San Antonio Spurs will hit the court for the last time at Frost Bank Center this regular season on Sunday night in a test against the Denver Nuggets. San Antonio is locked into the second seed, while Denver is looking to maintain its position as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference against a hungry Lakers team that is pressing for that spot.
The Nuggets lead the series 2-1. The two teams last met on April 4, when Denver snapped the Spurs’ 11-game winning streak with a 136-134 overtime win. Jokic led the Nuggets with a near triple-double of 40 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists, while Wembanyama had 34 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists.
Denver Nuggets vs San Antonio Spurs Odds
Moneyline: Nuggets (+375) vs Spurs (-500)
Spread: Nuggets +11.5 (-110) vs Spurs -11.5 (-110)
Total (O/U): Nuggets o232.5 (-110) vs Spurs u232.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Denver Nuggets vs San Antonio Spurs Preview & Seeding Scenarios
Denver is currently riding a season-best 11-game winning streak, the same streak the Spurs had when they met last time. The Nuggets have come a long way since March 14, their last loss to the Lakers. Prior to that, the team had lost four times prior. At the time, it looked like Denver was going to settle into the fifth or sixth seed and a play-in spot. Since the loss in LA, the Nuggets have gone on an impressive 11-0 run. One thing that has stood out most during the streak is their ability to close out games, with contributions coming from all over the roster.
While the Nuggets hold the third spot, it is also possible for them to fall into fourth if they lose on Sunday while the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz at home. LA also holds the tiebreaker advantage against Denver.
If they finish third, they would most likely face the Minnesota Timberwolves. If they finish fourth, it could set up another first-round series between the Nuggets and the Lakers.
The Spurs, on the other hand, enter the game off a 139-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks. The game marked Victor Wembanyama’s return from a one-game absence, and he delivered a monster performance with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
While the Spurs are locked into the second seed, they are most likely to face the winner of the seventh- and eighth-seed play-in battle between the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and LA Clippers.
Denver Nuggets vs San Antonio Spurs Injury Reports
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
Nikola Jokic, who played in their latest 127-107 win over the Thunder, is listed as questionable with a wrist injury. He has appeared in 64 games this season and still needs to play 20 minutes to remain eligible for NBA awards. While Jokic is questionable, the Nuggets have ruled out most of the key players, including Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cameron Johnson, Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Report
The Spurs have listed Victor Wembanyama (ribs), Stephon Castle (foot) and Devin Vassell (ribcage soreness) as questionable.
Denver Nuggets vs San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineups
Nuggets
PG: Bruce Brown | SG: Tyus Jones | SF: Julian Strawther | PF: Jalen Pickett | C: Nikola Jokic
Spurs
PG: De’Aaron Fox | SG: Dylan Harper | SF: Carter Bryant | PF: Keldon Johnson | C: Mason Plumlee
Denver Nuggets vs San Antonio Spurs Prediction
Bettors favor the Spurs to get the win at home. With the Nuggets resting much of their roster, the game holds less importance as they are fine finishing fourth, setting up a potential first-round matchup with the Lakers.
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