The San Antonio Spurs are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the NBA. On Thursday, they’ll face their toughest test so far when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs have secured each of their last two victories by an average of 2.5 points, so it’s not as if they’ve been dominating opponents. They are five-point dogs here but can they cover against a Clippers team that’s in a back-to-back situation?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

All three of the Spurs’ wins have come on their home court this season. A year ago, San Antonio went just 16-25 on the road compared to 32-9 at home, so this will be an early test. The Spurs are just 2-5 against the spread in their last seven contests dating back to last season and they’re also just 1-5 ATS in their last six contests against Pacific division opponents. The underdog has gone 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between these teams overall.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have won their first two home games by an average margin of 12.5 points. Los Angeles is 2-6 ATS in its last eight home games dating back to last season. However, it’s important to throw away those numbers from a year ago and keep in mind that this roster was completely overhauled in the offseason.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have relied on offense throughout their first three games of the season. San Antonio has scored at least 113 points in all three of its wins, including 120+ points in two of them. Meanwhile, the Spurs have allowed at least 110 points in all three victories. That could be cause for concern when you consider the fact that they have played the New York Knicks, Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers.

DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge have led the way once again with a combined average of 43.3 points per game this season. Meanwhile, Bryn Forbes, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White have all averaged double-digit point totals. After a couple of quality wins over relatively weak opponents, it will be interesting to see how this group matches up against the Clippers on Thursday night.

L.A. Clippers

Leonard opted not to play in Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz in his first “load management” of the season but he will be on the floor against the Spurs. This will be important to him as he’ll get to face his former team who he feels wronged him. He could have played Wednesday and sat on Thursday, so clearly this game means something to him.

Meanwhile, a number of other players have stepped up for Los Angeles with Paul George still not cleared for contact. Lou Williams has averaged 22.3 points per game and Montrezl Harrell has averaged 20.5 points and 6.8 rebounds.

It’s a bit of a tight spot for the Clippers here as this is a back-to-back after being in Utah the night before, and their third game in four nights. However, the Spurs are generally a bad road team. With a focused Kawhi, the Clippers should win and cover.

Who Will Win Spurs vs. Clippers?

Injuries

San Antonio

Patty Mills (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 11 / 08 / 20

Derrick White (PG)

Prob Tues Knee - 09 / 08 / 20

Tyler Zeller (C)

Out Thurs Knee - 07 / 08 / 20

Marco Belinelli (SG)

Prob Fri Foot - 31 / 07 / 20

Patty Mills (PG)

Ques Sun Undisclosed - 31 / 07 / 20

Bryn Forbes (SG)

Out indefinitely Quadricep - 30 / 07 / 20

Trey Lyles (PF)

out for season Appendix - 15 / 07 / 20

LaMarcus Aldridge (C)

out for season Shoulder - 08 / 06 / 20

Dejounte Murray (PG)

Out indefinitely Calf - 09 / 03 / 20

Lonnie Walker IV (SG)

Out indefinitely Shin - 07 / 03 / 20

L.A. Clippers

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 08 / 20

Paul George (SF)

day-to-day Rest - 14 / 08 / 20

Landry Shamet (PG)

Ques Mon Foot - 11 / 08 / 20

Paul George (SF)

day-to-day Rest - 09 / 08 / 20

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 08 / 20

Amir Coffey (SG)

Prob Sat Hip - 31 / 07 / 20

Lou Williams (SG)

Prob Tues Personal - 24 / 07 / 20

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Doub Thurs Personal - 21 / 07 / 20

Ivica Zubac (C)

Ques Thurs Illness - 21 / 07 / 20

Montrezl Harrell (PF)

Prob Mon Personal - 17 / 07 / 20

Injuries

San Antonio

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Patty Mills (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 11 / 08 / 20	2-0	0-2	+ -
Mills will not play Tuesday against the Rockets due to a day of rest.
Derrick White (PG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 09 / 08 / 20	2-1	1-2	+ -
White exited the previous game with a left knee contusion, but he is expected to be available for Tuesdays clash with the Rockets.
Tyler Zeller (C)	Out Thurs	Knee - 07 / 08 / 20	2-2	2-2	+ -
Zeller has missed the previous three games due to a right knee bone contusion, and he will not play Thursday versus the Jazz.
Marco Belinelli (SG)	Prob Fri	Foot - 31 / 07 / 20	5-2	4-3	+ -
Belinelli has been held out of the previous three games with a left foot sprain, but he is expected to line up against the Jazz on Friday.
Patty Mills (PG)	Ques Sun	Undisclosed - 31 / 07 / 20	5-2	4-3	+ -
Mills missed the previous game while managing an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will take part in Sunday's game against the Grizzlies.
Bryn Forbes (SG)	Out indefinitely	Quadricep - 30 / 07 / 20	5-2	4-3	+ -
Forbes is sidelined due to tightness in his right quad, and a timeline for return has yet to be established.
Trey Lyles (PF)	out for season	Appendix - 15 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Lyles is expected to miss the remainder of the season while recuperating from an appendectomy.
LaMarcus Aldridge (C)	out for season	Shoulder - 08 / 06 / 20	-	-	+ -
Aldridge had an arthroscopic procedure and a rotator cuff debridement conducted on his right shoulder. He is expected to sit out the remainder of the season.
Dejounte Murray (PG)	Out indefinitely	Calf - 09 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Murray will miss an extended period due to a right calf strain.
Lonnie Walker IV (SG)	Out indefinitely	Shin - 07 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Walker IV sat out the previous game with a left shin contusion, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Prob Thurs	Calf - 19 / 08 / 20	6-6	4-6-2	+ -
Beverley has a left calf strain, but he is expected to suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference second round versus the Nuggets.
Paul George (SF)	day-to-day	Rest - 14 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-7-2	+ -
George did not play the previous game as he was resting. It is unknown when he will return to the lineup.
Landry Shamet (PG)	Ques Mon	Foot - 11 / 08 / 20	8-7	6-7-2	+ -
Shamet has a sprained left foot, and it is uncertain if he will face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Paul George (SF)	day-to-day	Rest - 09 / 08 / 20	9-7	7-7-2	+ -
George will not be in the lineup Sunday against the Nets, as he will receive the day off for rest.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Out indefinitely	Calf - 04 / 08 / 20	11-8	9-8-2	+ -
Beverley is sidelined with a left calf strain, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Amir Coffey (SG)	Prob Sat	Hip - 31 / 07 / 20	12-8	9-9-2	+ -
Coffey is dealing with a left hip pointer, but he is expected to be available for Saturday's contest against the Pelicans.
Lou Williams (SG)	Prob Tues	Personal - 24 / 07 / 20	12-8	9-9-2	+ -
Williams has missed the last two games as he is following NBA protocol and self isolating. He is expected to be cleared to return for Tuesday's matchup with the Suns.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Doub Thurs	Personal - 21 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Beverley has returned to the team after an urgent family matter but is now self isolating. It is unlikely that he will line up against the Lakers on Thursday.
Ivica Zubac (C)	Ques Thurs	Illness - 21 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Zubac has rejoined the team after healing from a bout of COVID-19, but it is unclear if he will take the court Thursday versus the Lakers.
Montrezl Harrell (PF)	Prob Mon	Personal - 17 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Harrell is going through quarantine, but it is projected that he will take part in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Mavericks.