Spurs Odds to Make Playoffs Are +1800 With LaMarcus Aldridge Now Out After Shoulder Surgery
- Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge underwent right shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2019-20 season
- The San Antonio Spurs’ odds to make the playoffs currently sit at +1800
- Read below to find out how Aldridge’s injury will affect the Spurs chances to clinch the 8th seed in the Western Conference
The San Antonio Spurs are currently 12th in the Western Conference with a 27-36 record. Bad news for the Spurs playoff hopes came down on Monday as it was announced their star forward LaMarcus Aldridge underwent right shoulder surgery on April 24th and will miss the rest of the season.
San Antonio’s odds to make the playoffs are at +1800 and with Aldridge out, it’ll be a rocky road for them to even try and sneak into that eighth seed once the NBA resumes play.
2020 NBA Western Conference Playoff Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Memphis Grizzlies | -170 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +275 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +325 |
| Sacramento Kings | +1200 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +1800 |
| Phoenix Suns | +15000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +20000 |
Odds taken June 8th
The Loss of Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge has been essential to San Antonio’s success this season as he averaged 18.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, despite the lack of wins on their record.
This stumps the Spurs original game plan to get into the playoffs and will definitely give an advantage to teams like the Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Trail Blazers to make their push.
Big news as this may eliminate all realistic chances of Spurs grabbing 8th or 9th seed in upcoming 8-game schedule. Pelicans were expected to play San Antonio at least once and LaMarcus Aldridge went off for 32 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks in Spurs win on Zion's debut. https://t.co/GjktiRrYIg
— Oleh Kosel (@OlehKosel) June 8, 2020
Aldridge was San Antonio’s second-leading scorer behind Demar DeRozan’s 22 points per game. The drop-off for offensive production on the Spurs is quite big as their third scoring option is rotation guard Patty Mills, who is averaging 11.7 points per game this season.
LMA was San Antonio’s leading rebounder as well, and without him, the rebounding burden will fall on younger pros Trey Lyles and Jakob Poeltl.
Some nights LaMarcus Aldridge just can’t miss. Last night was one of those nights.pic.twitter.com/ESDUbZZOl7
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) January 23, 2020
Poeltl will be a formidable replacement for Aldridge. The former Toronto Raptor is averaging 16.6 minutes, 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season, but is an efficient weapon around the basket as he has a 61.9 FG%.
He can fill in for starters as we saw against Chicago in January, as he racked up 16 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks in 36 minutes.
Former #Utes C Jakob Poeltl erases the game winning attempt from James Harden…
SA went on to win in double OT. Poeltl finished with 6p, 15r, 5b. https://t.co/3EkCeIifxA
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) December 4, 2019
The Spurs Never Had a Chance
The Spurs are four games behind the Grizzlies for the 8th seed in the Western Conference. However, the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings are all closer to that final playoff spot – with more firepower.
Never forget when @Zionwilliamson scored 17 straight points in the 4th quarter of his NBA debut… pic.twitter.com/nTJAI6LmsI
— Hoop Knowledge (@HoopKnow) June 1, 2020
Zion Williamson and the Pelicans have given the Spurs their fair share of trouble this year. Not to mention the other teams with younger rosters that will likely be hungrier to sneak their way into the postseason. These teams have stars, and their rosters are also deeper and more complete than the current Spurs roster.
San Antonio will play Denver twice, New Orleans twice, Utah twice, and Memphis and Sacramento once. Although their schedule is not extremely difficult they will be playing the teams that they are competing with for that final 8th seed.
Dear San Antonio Spurs fans,
it's been a great run…. pic.twitter.com/m6xG17HmJO
— 🦢 (@mailbaggy) June 8, 2020
The Spurs have a very balanced roster, but they lack the offensive production to run with the top teams in the West. Even if Aldridge was in the lineup the Spurs would still struggle. At +1800 they have great value, but the reality of them closing the gap will be tough.
With 5+ years of sports journalism under his belt, Ryan Sura may be young, but he's already making his mark. Ryan is the lead NHL editor at SBD, along with managing content for MMA, Boxing, and Racing. He is also the commercial manager, highlighting the best promos at online sportsbooks across US.
