San Antonio @ Oklahoma City preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 3, 2017 ) San Antonio 87, Oklahoma City 90

The San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder are separated by percentage points in the Western Conference standings and entered play on Friday just as close to third place as they were to 10th. The teams will at least try to gain some separation from each other when the Thunder host the Spurs on Saturday.

Oklahoma City has not beaten a team with a winning record since earning a 125-105 win at Golden State on Feb. 6 but bounced back from consecutive losses to the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets by drubbing the lowly Phoenix Suns 115-87 on Thursday. "I thought we did a good job of just being aggressive," Thunder All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook told reporters. "We made them shoot tough shots, using our size, our length, and defending at a high rate." San Antonio dropped seven of its last 10 games and squandered a late lead in a 110-107 loss at Golden State on Thursday. "We lost the game," Spurs point guard Tony Parker told reporters. "Not good enough. I think we just have to learn from our mistakes at some point. Down the stretch, we have to execute better. It's like 10 games, 12 games that we've lost like that now."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE SPURS (37-28): San Antonio is trying to stay in the race in the West despite a host of injuries, most recently to center Pau Gasol. The veteran sat out Thursday with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and is questionable for Saturday while Kawhi Leonard, who is ramping up his rehab and is expected to return by the end of the month, looms as a potential piece that could swing the postseason race. Meanwhile, the team will continue to lean on All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who delivered 30 points and 17 rebounds in Thursday's setback.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (38-29): Oklahoma City's defense began to suffer when shooting guard Andre Roberson went down with a season-ending injury at the end of January, but the acquisition of Corey Brewer is helping to ease the loss. Brewer joined the starting lineup on Thursday and contributed 17 points in 28 minutes. "There's a bounce to him all the time. He brings energy," Thunder coach Billy Donovan told reporters of Brewer. "I'm not comparing him and Andre in any way personality-wise or player-wise, but the one thing I will compare them, they both have a pop and a bounce to them where they play the game where they find the ball. They find it and are able to make plays."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Thunder C Steven Adams is 14-of-17 from the floor over the last two games.

2. Spurs SF Kyle Anderson recorded five steals in each of the last two contests.

3. The home team took each of the first two meetings this season, with Oklahoma City grabbing a 90-87 victory in its arena on Dec. 3.

PREDICTION: Thunder 106, Spurs 103