Through 1 Quarter
We’ve seen some fireworks one quarter in as the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons have combined for 68 points. San Antonio has jumped out to a quick 38-30 lead against Detroit.
The Spurs haven’t had any offensive standouts so far with all players held to eight points or fewer.
This is the most points San Antonio has had yet this year going into the second quarter.
Who’s Playing
Detroit @ San Antonio
Current Records: Detroit 5-26; San Antonio 13-18
What to Know
The Detroit Pistons are 2-10 against the San Antonio Spurs since January of 2016, but they’ll have a chance to close the gap a little bit Sunday. After a few days’ rest for both teams, they will meet up at 7 p.m. ET Dec. 26 at AT&T Center. San Antonio will be strutting in after a win while the Pistons will be stumbling in from a defeat.
It was close but no cigar for Detroit as they fell 115-112 to the Miami Heat this past Thursday. Despite the loss, Detroit got a solid performance out of power forward Trey Lyles, who had 28 points along with eight boards and four blocks.
Meanwhile, you can’t lose the matchup if you win every quarter, and that was precisely San Antonio’s strategy against the Los Angeles Lakers this past Thursday. San Antonio put the hurt on Los Angeles with a sharp 138-110 victory. The Spurs’ small forward Keita Bates-Diop looked sharp as he had 30 points in addition to seven rebounds. Bates-Diop hadn’t helped his team much against the Los Angeles Clippers last Monday, so this was a nice turnaround for him. Bates-Diop’s points were the most he has had all year.
The Pistons have to know they’ll be fighting an uphill battle given the 10 point spread they are up against. Those playing the odds have seen things go back and forth with Detroit, who are 15-16 against the spread.
Detroit is now 5-26 while the Spurs sit at 13-18. Two numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: Detroit comes into the game boasting the third most fouls drawn per game in the league at 20.1. But San Antonio enters the contest with only 16.8 fouls per game on average, which is the best in the league. The ref’s whistle might dictate the flow of action in this one.
How To Watch
- When: Sunday at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: AT&T Center — San Antonio, Texas
- TV: Bally Sports – Detroit
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $15.40
Odds
The Spurs are a big 10-point favorite against the Pistons, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 10-point spread, and stayed right there.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
San Antonio have won ten out of their last 12 games against Detroit.
- Apr 22, 2021 – San Antonio 106 vs. Detroit 91
- Mar 15, 2021 – San Antonio 109 vs. Detroit 99
- Dec 28, 2019 – San Antonio 136 vs. Detroit 109
- Dec 01, 2019 – Detroit 132 vs. San Antonio 98
- Feb 27, 2019 – San Antonio 105 vs. Detroit 93
- Jan 07, 2019 – San Antonio 119 vs. Detroit 107
- Dec 30, 2017 – Detroit 93 vs. San Antonio 79
- Dec 04, 2017 – San Antonio 96 vs. Detroit 93
- Feb 10, 2017 – San Antonio 103 vs. Detroit 92
- Nov 11, 2016 – San Antonio 96 vs. Detroit 86
- Mar 02, 2016 – San Antonio 97 vs. Detroit 81
- Jan 12, 2016 – San Antonio 109 vs. Detroit 99
Injury Report for San Antonio
- Zach Collins: Out (Ankle)
- Dejounte Murray: Out (Covid-19)
Injury Report for Detroit
- Kelly Olynyk: Out (Knee)
- Cade Cunningham: Out (Covid-19)
- Rodney McGruder: Out (Covid-19)
- Trey Lyles: Out (Covid-19)
- Chris Smith: Out (Knee)
- Saben Lee: Out (Covid-19)
- Isaiah Stewart: Out (Covid-19)
- Killian Hayes: Out (Covid-19)
- Cory Joseph: Out (Covid-19)
- Josh Jackson: Out (Covid-19)
- Jerami Grant: Out (Thumb)