San Antonio Spurs' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for December

With the first month of NBA action drawing to a close, the Spurs sit comfortably on a 9-4 record despite a slow start.

Featuring plenty of highs and lows, November proved to be a good test for the defending champs, who proved that, though still human, they are still among the league's best teams.

But December will be an even bigger battle, with tough games and rough stretches in abundance.

Regardless, it's filled with must-watch games between San Antonio and opponents that in some capacity or other have the ability to challenge the Spurs' dominance.

Week 1: 12/01-12/06

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The Spurs' month of December begins with a lot of basketball and little rest, something fun for fans but unfortunate for a veteran team.

Beginning the month with the second half of a back-to-back, the Spurs will follow their opening matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers with contests against the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. That's four games in six nights, and given that the month of November ends with two in three, there's a strong chance that the week features plenty of rest for the Spurs' aging stars.

Nevertheless, the matchups have the potential to be exciting—and while the Timberwolves game will pit today and yesterday's stars against those of tomorrow and the Brooklyn contest will feature Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett battling for likely the final time in their careers—that is, if they both play—the game to note is the Friday night showdown with Memphis.

Since the Grizzlies bumped San Antonio out of the playoffs as an eighth seed years ago, a rivalry has formed between the two Southwest division squads.

Now, the Spurs are the defending champions, and Memphis, it appears, is the team to beat as November draws to a close.

The two teams preach fundamentals, with the Grizzlies favoring a classic blue-collar approach while San Antonio counters with high-IQ play.

Though the other three games should prove to be easy wins for the Spurs, Memphis is rolling, and with Tiago Splitter still sidelined with no clear return date, the Grizzlies' stellar interior could prove to be a difficult matchup for San Antonio.

Still, it's a contest designed for basketball purists, and all fans of the game should tune in.

Record: 3-1

Week 2: 12/09-12/12

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The Spurs' second week of the month should prove to be the easiest, featuring games against the struggling Utah Jazz, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.

It's a trio of games that, unless you're a Spurs fanatic or diehard fan of one of their three opponents, you likely won't be watching.

Utah is likely the most difficult contest in the stretch, but for historic purposes I'd peg the L.A. matchup as the one to watch.

Though the teams meet again in late January, it will come during a four-games-in-six-nights stretch and on the second half of a back-to-back, with the first half being a duel against the Chicago Bulls. If coach Gregg Popovich wants to rest his players during that week, the Lakers game is the time to do it, meaning that the December 12 contest could be the final time we see Duncan draw Kobe Bryant as an opponent.

The two are the greatest players of the previous decade, and with both veterans' careers heading in different directions as they draw to a close, each will look to prove himself over the other for perhaps the final time.

I'd still call this game—like the others—a Spurs win, but even if it isn't close, I'd suggest that every NBA fan who grew up on Tim Duncan bank shots and Kobe Bryant turnarounds tunes in, since we may never see these two legends go toe-to-toe again.

Record: 3-0

Week 3: 12/14-12/20

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From Sunday, Dec. 14 to Saturday, Dec. 20, the Spurs find themselves with a loaded schedule featuring three road and two home contests.

None of them will be walks in the park, either.

The Denver Nuggets will be the easiest foe during the stretch, but that Sunday night game is followed by two contests against the Portland Trail Blazers with another Memphis duel sandwiched between the Portland games, all leading up to a rivalry matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.

There's a good chance that this proves to be the most difficult stretch of the season, with Portland playing well enough to split and the Grizzlies and Mavs looking like title contenders.

Though Memphis will once again be a must-watch, I'd suggest tuning in to the Mavericks game as well.

Having provided San Antonio with its most difficult series during last year's postseason, Dallas improved over the offseason and appears to be a legitimate title contender. Off to a hot start, the Mavs have the talent to counter the Spurs' multifaceted attack as well as the coaching to rival that of Pop.

Duels between Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki are always fun to watch, and with Chandler Parsons in the mix to battle with Kawhi Leonard at the small forward spot, this game has plenty of individual matchups to carry it.

In what has the potential to be a barn burner and quite possibly a playoff preview, the battle for Texas should be circled on every fan's calendar in a stretch that is jam-packed with games that you won't want to miss.

Record: 2-3

Week 4: 12/22-12/26

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The following week comes with a lot more rest but still features contests against formidable opponents.

The Spurs draw the Los Angeles Clippers to start the week, followed by a back-to-back days later against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Clippers pose a perennial threat to the Spurs, with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin forming a nice two-on-two rivalry with Tony Parker and Duncan, but nevertheless it will be the Christmas matchup against OKC that deserves the nod as the best of the week.

At this point, the Thunder's health will be improving, as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook should have returned to practice.

In a rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals, both teams have the potential to contend when at full health, and battles between the two can always swing in either direction.

The same holds true, though, for the week's other two contests. The Clippers are no joke, and New Orleans, led by Anthony Davis, has already topped the Spurs once this season.

This will be another difficult week for San Antonio even if it's not as crowded as the previous one. Regardless, I'd be surprised if the Spurs post a losing record two weeks in a row. Their short-term memory is simply too strong.

Record: 2-1

Week 5: 12/28-12/31

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As the month comes to a close, the Spurs find themselves with three more games that could once again swing in either direction.

First comes the Houston Rockets, then Memphis—for a third time this month—and finally New Orleans, who will be, for the second time, the latter half of a back-to-back.

I'll refrain from casting the spotlight on the Grizzlies again, but even with the Rockets surging and San Antonio thirsty for revenge after being demolished in the teams' first encounter this season, I can't pass up the opportunity to plug the Spurs-Pelicans matchup.

The Duncan-Davis duel represents a clash of two eras, although both players have similar talent even if they sit at different ends of the experience spectrum.

As Davis rises into superstardom and Duncan prepares for his looming retirement, this season will see the passing of the torch from one fundamental star to another.

Around Davis, the Pelicans aren't shabby, but let me be clear: This one's about The Brow.

With this matchup being the teams' second in two weeks, one will be thirsty for revenge.

Though I wouldn't be surprised with any win-loss combination for the final week, the Spurs are definitely facing an uphill battle with three straight weeks of difficult contests.

Record: 1-2

Recap

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Overall, the month of December won't be a walk in the park for San Antonio. Aside from Week 2, the 18-game stretch is filled with playoff and title contenders, and plenty of weeks should prove difficult for the veteran team's collective stamina.

Still, the Spurs are right up there with the league's top squads, and with Tiago Splitter joining the mix at some point in the (hopefully) near future, they have the means to combat each and every one of these teams.

Regardless, Spurs fans and basketball fans alike should take notice of the Spurs' upcoming slate of games, as it's filled with matchups that should not be missed.

Record: 11-7