Spurs vs. Celtics: 3 Big Things to Watch

The San Antonio Spurs have lost three consecutive games and look to get back in the win column as they take on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden tonight.

The San Antonio Spurs (19-55) will take on the Boston Celtics (51-23) at TD Garden tonight. The Spurs are the worst road team in the NBA at 6-30, while the Celtics have won 27 home games this season, good for sixth-best in the league. 

San Antonio looks to cultivate winning habits as the season dwindles, while Boston aims to use this matchup as a launch pad toward closing the 2.5-game gap between them and the No. 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings.

Here are three big things to watch for tonight's game:

Tatum, or No Tatum?

Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum is listed as a gametime decision heading into this matchup with a left hip contusion. Coach Joe Mazzulla may opt to rest his star against a struggling Spurs team that can only gain from losses moving forward.

With Tatum, the Celtics dominate. He has 40 games with at least 30 points on the year. In that span, Boston is 34-6. Further, Tatum scored 34 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor and three-point line in their Jan. 7 win against the Spurs in San Antonio. 

Without Tatum, the Celtics are 2-3, but keep games close as all three losses were by six points or fewer. Coach Gregg Popovich will have to be ready to defend the three-point line and close off driving lanes whether or not Tatum suits up. In the event he does, he's a threat to take over the game and end it before the start of the fourth quarter.

The More Eyes on Tre Jones, The More He Performs

Spurs point guard Tre Jones dished out 12 assists in his last outing against the Washington Wizards. Of their 19 wins, six have come when Jones registers eight or more dimes. Two were against the respective conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. 

Much to his chagrin, the Celtics allow an NBA-best 23.1 assists to opponents and make teams work for their points. Jones may look for his own shot to counteract their stout defense should his teammates be hounded, as he connects on 47.6 percent of his field goals when forced to take three or more dribbles.

Jones has already shown an ability to run the offense and remain efficient. Can he consistently make plays against elite defenses and elevate his offensive game? This contest will say much.

If They Make You Work, Make Them Work

Strikingly enough, the Spurs are 15-18 when teams record less than 26 assists in any given game. Their defense has been able to contain opponents for nearly half of their regular season games and yields a record near .500.

If Boston will make Jones and the rest of the Spurs work for their points -- which they will -- San Antonio must bring the same intensity on the defensive end, which will give them a realistic shot at stealing the win.

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