Scott Wachter-Imagn Images The Spurs look to build on recent success in their final contest against the Jazz Due to a quirk of this year’s scheduling, the Spurs will finish their season series with the Utah Jazz tonight. How the NBA managed to clump so many of San Antonio’s games against the same opponents this early in the season is perhaps a question for another article, but the finer points of the match-up are pretty well established at this point. The Jazz are not good. They could perhaps be a bit less bad, were that their goal, but after resident Utah overlord Danny Ainge somehow forgot to tank for Victor Wembanyama (in spite of being handed so many good excuses) the Jazz now appear to be fully invested in tanking for what most agree is a pretty deep draft class. Currently, at 4-12, they have a bottom 5 record. However, they’ll need to do even worse to improve their odds at the number one pick. I’d expect them do just that, as their one win over the Spurs came during San Antonio’s most injured stretch, and by a single point at that. The Spurs, on the other hand, are decidedly not bad. They have their 1st positive net rating and +/- as a team in quite some time, with a defense that continues to sit in the top 10 of the league and appears to be improving with the aid of rookie Stephon Castle. Sitting at 9-8, the Spurs find themselves lodged in the middle of the packed Western Conference standings, and it’s likely they’ll need every win they can get over teams like the Jazz to have a chance at the postseason. After a three-year absence from the play-in (and 5 years from the postseason) the young Spurs look hungrier, healthier, and primed for a real push with the help of their steady new veterans. I’d bet on the Silver and Black in this one. Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs November 26th, 2024 | 8:00 CT Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southwest |Listen: WOAI (1200 AM) Spurs Injuries: Keldon Johnson - Probable (Hamstring), Devin Vassell - Out (Knee), Jeremy Sochan - Out (Hand) Jazz Injuries: Taylor Hendricks - Out (Leg), Jordan Clarkson - Out (Foot), Kyle Filipowski - Out (Ankle) What To Watch For: The Bassey — Collins Minutes Split It likely comes as no surprise that the conversation over backup big man has been somewhat contentious since Charles Bassey’s return from a season-ending injury. Fans have been upset about Collin’s defense and three-point shooting since last season, and minor improvements to both have not been enough to reduce the ire directed at Spurs Twitter’s annual designated scapegoat. Bassey’s recent performances have only added fuel to that fire, as his seemingly endless energy reserves and improvement as a rim protector (to the tune of 6 blocks off the bench in a game, something San Antonio hasn’t seen since the mid-80s) have led to a gradual increase in minutes. Mitch Johnson seems committed to mixing and matching his bench bigs (a wise idea since each brings different skills to the table), but every increase in minutes for Bassey will likely come at Collins’ expense. It may take no more than a weeks-long injury to the brittle Collins for Bassey to unofficially supplant him. For the Jazz’ fans’ perspective, visit SLC Dunk. PtR’s Game thread will be up this evening for those who want to chat through the game. You can also follow along with the action through PtR’s Twitter feed.