Game Preview #46: Denver Nuggets @ San Antonio Spurs
by Tim C. on Jan 31, 2010 12:20 AM CST
in Game Previews
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PrintWe got ourselves a matinée today, on national television. Neither of those things are normally good signs for the silver and black. Can the Spurs overcome those kind of odds to get an important win against a (very) good team? Or will they fold like they did in their previous meeting with Denver? It would be really nice to salvage a .500 homestand and head into the Rodeo Road Trip™ on a 3-game win streak.
Seriously, a Spurs win today will make my upcoming road trip infinitely more enjoyable. Especially since I have to wake up early(before noon) on my damn vacation to catch the start of this game. I'm sure CapHill would really, really enjoy a win against her favorite NBA coach today, too.
You know who needs to have a big game for us to win tonight this morning?
That's right, the Beast needs to be extra-beastly today.
 Denver Nuggets @ San Antonio Spurs Where: AT&T Center - San Antonio, TX When: January 31, 2010; 12:00 PM Spurs time Watch: ABC
How They Stack Up
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Matchups
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 George Hill Cue-bits |
Point Guard George has been kicking some ass since being put in the starting lineup, but Billups is the guy that makes the Nuggets go. Stats don't measure what he brings to this Denver team, unless you're talking about their win-loss record since his arrival. However, George could also have more of an impact on this game than meets the eye - with his defense. You know what they say, if you want to kill a snake, cut off the head. Also, Tony needs to dominate Fisher.
Advantage: Nuggets |
 Chauncey Billups Head of the snake |
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 Manu Ginobili DEL POTRO!!! |
Shooting Guard Bogans probably gets the start, and he can't afford to let Afflalo out of his sights. On the other end, Afflalo will probably be assigned to guard our $14M small forward at first, then switch to Manu once he enters the game. Advantage: Spurs |
 Arron Afflalo Underrated |
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 Richard Jefferson $14 Million Man |
Small Forward I don't feel the need to explain the white box, but I will say that RJ's defensive efforts as of late have not gone unnoticed. His reward? A matchup against the league's leading scorer. Perhaps it is small consolation that Melo's missed a few games with an ankle injury, but he is expected to play today. Make him work for it, Rage. Advantage: Nuggets |
 Carmelo Anthony 30 PPG |
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 Tim Duncan MVP candidate |
Power Forward Timmeh wins, end of story. Advantage: Spurs |
 Kenyon Martin Hot Lips |
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 Antonio McDyess SAM |
Center Dice has been playing well over the past 3 games, but he's physically outmatched here today. However, the mismatch here isn't as bad as Timmeh's advantage over K-Mart, and the bench should provide a major boost for the Spurs at this position(see below) as well.
Advantage: Nuggets |
 Nene Brazil's other big man |
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 DeJuan Blair Destroyer of Limbs |
Bench & Role Players Smith and Ty Lawson are incredibly dangerous... on offense. But the BAM still packs more punch than any other bench unit in the league, even with Hill starting. DeJuan is a matchup nightmare for the Nuggets, and I expect him to be ready to play some very productive minutes. Advantage: Spurs |
 JR Smith "Thuggets" Personified |
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 Gregg Popovich Wino |
CoachI'll let CapHill explain why Pop gets the nod. Advantage: Spurs |
 George Karl Assistant to Chauncey |
| images via yahoo.com | ||
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Other Factors
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Intangibles |
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Melo's back for them, but we're at home. Advantage: Tied |
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Mojo |
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The Spurs have won 2 games in a row against good teams. Denver got blown out by the Thunder on Friday night. Advantage: Spurs |
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Winner: |
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| Because I said so, damn it. | ||
Keys To The Game
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Strength of ScheduleBoth teams are coming off a day of rest after playing Friday night. But, the Moonmen are playing a SEGABABA tomorrow, while the Spurs next game isn't until Wednesday night's rodeo trip opener at Sacramento. Last Time They MetThe Spurs lost in their first meeting with Denver back in December, after giving up a lead they had held all game in the fourth quarter. A repeat of that performance would be most unwelcome. |
Some Other ReadingGrizzliesDenver Stiffs - This is the Nuggets' SBN home. There's some good stuff here, and you can probably expect a few of them to wander over here. Spurs48 Minutes of Hell: The best TrueHoop team blog is now even better, after adding two new writers. Congrats to Jesse and Andrew, who are already doing good work. |
Where to Tune In
TVThis game will be aired nationwide on ABC. If you have cable or satellite, you'll have to look up your individual channel. And of course, there's always League Pass for the haves. For the have nots, read on. OnlineI'm not aware of anywhere that this game will be streaming online, unless ESPN360 is going to carry it(not likely). Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate. In fact, nobody can stop you from googling "atdhe". You can also shoot an email to poundingtherockmail@yahoo.com for more assistance. NBA League Pass audio is still free this year, so check it out. RadioIf you're in the San Antonio area and aren't near a TV, tune in to WOAI (1200 AM). |
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Comments
Finally the Spurs have a Winning Formula
Check this out.
Against Atlanta was the first time Pop ever started TD, Dice, RJ, Hill, and TP
With this line up, we had one of our best starts all year. IMO, this also happens to be our best defensive team.
Wow, it only took us 44 games to stumble across this.
Pop is just testing you A.J. =D
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 31, 2010 12:52 AM CST up reply actions
In Pop’s defense I don’t think Dice had quite gotten the system down until recently. Also, Dice starting would be tall-ball, we all loves us some small-ball. Finally, who would have thought that some unknown guard from eye-you-pee-eye-you should be a starter.
Dice started 19 games.
We are 13-6 when Dice starts. I am not going to say it was totally as easy as starting Dice, BUT in 5 of the 6 losses Bonner played 20+ mins(Enough said).
The other loss with Dice starting was against Toronto in which we benched TD. So we know why we loss that one.
To me it looks like there is a strong correlation with Dice and Hill on the floor together = winning.
When these two are playing 25+ mins together we are a better defensive team.
10 am game on a Sunday. Fuck you whoever came up with the schedule.
"Under the tutelage....of Randy Tutelage"
Yeah, fuck you whoever you are and made it a 2am game on our side of the earth.
by silverandblack_davis on Jan 31, 2010 7:36 AM CST up reply actions
luckily, it’s President’s Day tomorrow, so no classes for our beloved school
If you liked it then you should have put a 5th ring on it. Oh oh oh.
Yay… for the students but not the alumni :(
by silverandblack_davis on Jan 31, 2010 7:38 AM CST up reply actions
+0200 hrs. fml
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
by theonlyromeo on Jan 31, 2010 11:13 PM CST up reply actions
Wait. I believe that should be the “Western Conference All-star Coaching George Karl”. It is usually the coach with the best record but you can’t do it 2 years in a row and Phil Jackson coached it last year. Plus the best Dallas could do is tie Denver by the day they make the selection.
And in the case of a tie, the coach to have most recently coached an all-star game is disqualified. Rick Carlisle coached the east all-stars a couple of years ago.
(Not that this matters. It is just kinda weird to have him coaching it.)
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
OH SO I GUESS MANU GOT SNUBBED AGAIN FOR COACH OF THE ALL-STAR GAME!!!1 THE FUCK IS THIS BULLSHIT???1? IS IT BECAUSE HE’S A PLAYER AND NOT A COACH?
NO!!!
IT’S BECAUSE HE’S AN ARGENTINE AND HE GETS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO ACCEPT HIS GREATNESS AND HIS SOUTH AMERICANNESS. I’M SO TIRED OF THIS CRAP!!!
YOU KNOW WHAT MANU WOULD DO IF HE WAS THE COACH??? FIRST, THE EAST WOULDN’T SCORE ANY POINTS, SECOND HE WOULD HOLD THE CLIPBOARD WITH ONE HAND AND DUNK WITH THE OTHER. THEN FOR THE HALFTIME SHOW HE WOULD GET IN A MASERATI 250F AND DO A LAP IN THE NURBURGRING LIKE FANGIOOOOOOOO DID IN 1957 THEN HE WOULD GET OUT OF THE CAR AND HIT A 100MPH FOREHAND LIKE DEL POTROOOOOO THEN HE WOULD START FROM THE HALF OF THE SOCCER FIELD AND SCORE AGAINST ENGLAND LIKE MARADONA IN 86 AND THEN HE WOULD TOPPLE ARGENTINA’S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT AND START A MILITARY JUNTA BUT THEN HE WOULD DECIDE THAT’S NOT SO COOL SO HE WOULD RESTORE THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT AND WRITE THE CONSTITUTION, A CONSTITUTION SO BEAUTIFUL THAT THE FOUNDING FATHERS WOULD RISE FROM THEIR GRAVES AND CRY TEARS OF JOY BEFORE WONDERING WHAT WAS UP WITH ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO OWN PROPERTY AND THE WOMAN BEING ABLE TO VOTE.
THEN MANU WOULD BENCH EVERYONE AND BE A TRUE PLAYER COACH BY PLAYING ONE AGAINST FIVE AND COACHING HIMSELF AND HE WOULD BE SO GOOD AT IT THAT ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE ARENA WOULD BE HAVING CRYGASMS AND ANGELS WOULD SURROUND THE ARENA SAYING, ‘HOLY SHIT’, AND 9000 WHITE DOVES WOULD SIT ON MANU’S ARMS AS HE JUMPED FROM THETHREE POINT LINE AND DUNKED WITH SUCH FORCE AND BEAUTY THAT REALITY WOULD WARP INTO ITSELF AND THE UNIVERSE WOULD COLLAPSE INTO AN INFINITESIMAL SMALL POINT WITH THE MASS OF A QUADRILLION STARS THAT WOULD THEN EXPLODE INTO ANOTHER BIG BANG, GIVING BIRTH TO A MANUVERSE.
But will he get to do that? No. That’s just plain unfair.
To serve man.
Gustatus similis pullus.
by Hipuks on Jan 31, 2010 1:56 AM CST up reply actions 11 recs
This. is. mother. fuckingly. awesome.
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
by theonlyromeo on Jan 31, 2010 11:15 PM CST up reply actions
what 2am?im in the phils…2am i got class tmrw..its just hours from now. i need to go by 6:30 ok so i guess i need to sleep now…and wake up by 2…its how addicted i am to san antonio…
:)
Awesome Blair ‘chop and preview, Tim. I’m really looking forward to Tony dominating Fisher.
by silverandblack_davis on Jan 31, 2010 7:41 AM CST reply actions
Man, I love that pic of Timmey. I stared at it for about 5 mins trying to figure out what happenned. In the end, I just enjoyed and came no closer to figuring it out
oh and for extra mojo boost……that which you’ve all been waiting for………
SUNKIST PROFILE PICTURE!!!!!!!
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
Oh FSM (which I hope the lexicon will someday explain) please let the Spurs play well today. I’ll be at the game with my daughter so I can’t cuss or get too upset—the need to set a good example and all.
I’ll be 2 rows behind the home benchj
AKA: Linix129
by sw12 on Jan 31, 2010 10:32 AM CST via mobile reply actions
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