Game #19 Preview: Timberwolves @ Spurs

After such a glorious winning streak, the Spurs were bound to come back to earth.  To borrow from Potter Stewart,

"I know it when I see it"

and despite the inconsistencies of this last week, this team has IT.  Tonight provides the opportunity to get back in the win column against Minnesota.  The last time these two teams met, the Spurs mounted an improbable comeback in the 4th quarter that resulted in an overtime win for the team and numerous 911 calls from their fans.

Hopefully, the guys have had time to recharge their batteries, regain the spring in their steps, turn back time, and whatever other cliche that you'd like to use.  I'm betting the Big Three and Pop will be ready for this game - just a hunch.

Musical Selections:

And now for the preview.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ San Antonio SpursWhere: AT&T CenterWhen: December 3, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Spurs Time - Timezone Converter Watch: FSSW By the Numbers Data source: basketball-reference.com
Category Stat Rank Offensive Efficiency 111.8 3rd Defensive Efficiency 103.2 8th Defensive Rebound Rate 77% 4th Offensive Rebound Rate 27% 12th Field Goal Percentage 46% 14th 3-Point FG Percentage 41% 1st Free Throw Percentage 80% 6th Turnover Percentage 13% 3th			Category Stat Rank Offensive Efficiency 101.1 29th Defensive Efficiency 110.6 26th Defensive Rebound Rate 75% 9th Offensive Rebound Rate 31% 4th Field Goal Percentage 41% 30th 3-Point FG Percentage 36% 13th Free Throw Percentage 76% 16th Turnover Percentage 15% 27th
Record Wins Losses Overall 15 3 Conference 7 2 Division 2 2 Home 7 2 Away 8 1       Position Conference Division Record 1st 1st Lineups Starters PG: Tony Parker SG: Manu Ginobili SF: Richard Jefferson PF: DeJuan Blair C: Tim Duncan Key Bench Players Matt Bonner  George Hill Tiago Splitter Antonio McDyess			Record Wins Losses Overall 4 14 Conference 2 9 Division 0 1 Home 3 5 Away 1 9       Position Conference Division Record 14th 5th Lineups Starters PG: Luke Ridnour SG: Wesley Johnson SF: Michael Beasley PF: Kevin Love C: (Freed) Darko Milicic Key Bench Players Wayne Ellington Sebastian Telfair Corey Brewer Anthony Tolliver

Matchup Analysis

	Point Guard
	Shooting Guard
	Small Forward
	Power Forward
	Center
	Bench
	Coach
	Intangibles
	Mojo
	Winner

Starters

PG: Granted, I haven't been able to catch all of the Spurs games lately, but something's definitely wrong with Tony.  He hasn't played well since our last game with the Wolves.  However, he is going against Luke Ridnour - that alone should cure his ills.  And of course, Tony needs to dominate Fisher.

SG: So far, Johnson has had a better rookie year than what I expected.  And even though Manu slipped out of god-mode against the Clippers, he should still win this matchup.  After such a lousy loss, the Wolves should FEAR THE BALD SPOT!

SF: RJ was one of the few Spurs not to take a poop on the court against the Clips.  Beasley is a great scorer, but he's still a headcase with the ability to make boneheaded plays down the stretch.  RJ 2.0's efficient overall game should counteract the Beas.

PF: DeBeast has (finally) started to revive from his offseason hibernation.  However, Love just killed us last time, and unless the refs start calling over the back or we start boxing out, another double-double by Love is in the equation.

C: Darko was a man-beast the last game - lucky for us, he fouled out.  Just looking at stats might make one think he and Timmeh are evenly matched.  Yet, Timmeh's ability to jumpstart the offense via the high post and assists lately has the GOATPUFF getting the edge.

Bench

Brewer and Ellington gave us a few problems last time, but the resurgence of George and the icewater veins of Neal should put us over the top.  But this Spurs' fan wants to see Bananas play big minutes against the Wolves frontline.

Coaching

Pop will be PO'ed after the last game - Rambis doesn't stand a chance.

Intangibles

The boys won't be happy after the Clippers' loss, so expect them to come out strong from the get go.

Mojo

Even after a loss, the force is strong in this team.  

Prediction

Da Spurs.  But let's not have a repeat of November 24th when PtR had a collective heart attack.  Thanks.

Key(s) to the Game

Make open shots - The game against the Clippers was a clankfest.  it would be best not to repeat that.

Interior Defense - In the last game against the Wolves, their big guys beat us over the head with a basketball two by four.  We need to keep them off the offensive boards and limit 2nd chance points.  It's time to jail Darko.

Other Reading

Spurs

48 Minutes of Hell 

Spurs Nation

Project Spurs

OPPONENT

Canis Hoopus  (SB Nation) 

Following Along

TV 

FSSW

Radio

WOAI 1200AM; Audio League Pass[streaming]

Online

As always, NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash.  Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area.

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. You can also shoot an email to poundingtherockmail@yahoo.com (IMPORTANT:  Please include your PtR username in the email for reference) for further assistance.