Game Preview #72: San Antonio Spurs @ Boston Celtics
by silverandblack_davis on Mar 28, 2010 6:31 AM CDT
in Game Previews
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PrintHave the mighty really fallen? Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett used to rule the NBAverse with their contrasting demeanor, but now find their teams in the heat of a drawn-out battle for prime playoff positioning. Boston has the better record, but if they played in the uber-competitive West, would they still be able to brag about achieving the same? And while the Spurs are considerably younger, both teams centerpiece players are pretty old as far as NBA age goes.
I can't say anything more except that I expect a good battle from these two teams. Or maybe, I'm just hoping the Spurs still keep playing with fire and some desperation, and not get blown out on the road. We know that this team still has those nights, but I guess compared to last season, they have been few and far between.
No frills preview, after the jump.
Before anything else, here's some pre-game music in a desperate attempt to pump you up more than you could ever be pumped up.
Considering this is a Sunday game (for most people, at least), I'm still counting on a lot of you beaches to be at the game thread.
 San Antonio Spurs @ Boston Celtics When: March 28, 2010, 7:00 PM Spurs time Watch: My35 HD, ESPN... uh-oh.
How They Stack Up
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Matchups
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 George Hill Jessica |
Point Guard The arm length on these two guards are enough to cover an entire half court. If there's a guard for me that resembles a lot like Rajon Rondo, it's George Hill - albatross-like length, strong penetrators and good perimeter defenders. However, the comparisons stop there. Rondo is really good at directing the Celtics offense, while George is still learning how to run a team, but I think is more consistent shooting the the medium-to-long range jumpers. Rajon's defense is also better than Hill's, and Rondo's knack of making timely steals has always been huge for the C's. George has really improved by leaps and bounds this season, but it's hard to bet against a proven commodity like Rondo. Advantage: Celtics |
 Rajon Rondo Big 4th |
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 Manu Ginobili In God Mode |
Shooting Guard Ray Allen does not miss Bruce Bowen, and I bet after this game, he'll wish Manu would've been gone, too. Ray-Ray has been on the decline season after season but to be fair, he still keeps his deadly stroke and very much capable of exploding on offense. However, he's going to have his hands full with The Manu, who's been, as one Western Conference executive noted, "the best player in the West right now." I really won't argue wit dat. Advantage: Spurs |
 Ray Allen Rayneesha |
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 Richard Jefferson The Lie |
Small Forward Paul Pierce is still the leader of this team and while the Celtics have struggled, he's still as reliable as ever, unlike, you know... some people. Advantage: Celtics |
 Paul Pierce The Truth |
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 Tim Duncan Not Jumping |
Power Forward In a battle of washed up, former elite forwards, Timmeh is the less washed up, considering KG has been dragging his knees all season long and unable to ignite the Celtics defense's return to championship level. Still, these two warriors always seem to bring out the best in each other, so here's hoping that they will live up to the old rivalry. Advantage: Spurs |
 Kevin Garnett Not Flyiiiing |
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 Antonio McDyess Former Piston |
Center It might be to our best interest if Kendrick Perkins is really not playing (left knee tendinits), as speculated. Rasheed Wallace's underperformance this season has so far mirrored SAM's, but I know that we got the guy with more heart so at least I'm counting on that. Advantage: None |
 Rasheed Wallace Former Piston; Fat |
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 Matt Bonner Scalabrine of the West |
Bench & Role Players Okay, okay I know I should've put Nate Rob or Big Baby or whoever in there except Scal, but sorry I really can't help it. It's like a match made in heaven! Now, only if Pop and Doc oblige us and play them at the same time. On a more serious note, it feels strange to be going up against FinDog. Shouts of FIIINDOOOOG, FINPERRO! or ZOOOOMBIIEEEE in the game thread will totally be understandable. While the Celts have sort of bolstered their bench with the additions of Krypto-Nate, Finley, Marquis Daniels and holdovers Tony Allen and Glen Davis, it's surprising that the Celtics bench hasn't really been considered in the best bench discussion (or at least that's what I've not heard). So, the Manu-less yet more cohesive BAM still gets the nod here. Advantage: Spurs |
 Brian Scalabrine Bonner of the East |
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 Gregg Popovich Hitting His Stride |
Coach Dear Doc, You played for San Antonio before and have already won a ring. Please take one for the team and give us this win. kthxbai. Advantage: Tied |
 Doc Rivers Ubuntu Chief |
| images via yahoo.com | ||
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Other Factors
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Intangibles Both teams are 7-3 in their last ten games and are in need of a lot of momentum heading into the playoffs due to disappointing regular seasons. San Antonio, however, due to the very tight playoff race in the West, is the more desperate ball club. Advantage: Spurs |
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Mojo Dead. To. Me. |
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Prediction: Spurs win! Spurs win! Spurs win! |
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| Because we have to and need to. |
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Keys To The Game
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Strength of ScheduleWhile it's heartening to look at the schedule and see New Jersey up next, it's a SEGABABA so in other words, TRAP GAME! I know the Nets suck but you know, at least they're not going to beat the worst regular season record. Meanwhile, the Celtics are starting a tough three game homestand, facing off against OKC two days after this game. Houston then comes to visit to round out the homestand. Last Time They MetThe Celts won that one in Texas, 90-83, but we all know times have changed since that one. |
Some Other ReadingCelticsCeltics Blog - The busiest NBA blog on SBNation, for a reason. Go check it out - Jeff Clark and friends do a great job keeping C's fans up to speed. Celtics Hub - The TrueHoop blog for the Celtics. Depending on which one of the writers you ask, Nocioni is a great idea or a terrible idea. Spurs48 Minutes of Hell: Best damn TrueHoop affiliate out there. Always a must visit Spurs site. Return of the Twitter Round UpDeJuan Blair Chillin thinking bout the time my little brother@geezy45 tried to save the ball out of bounds at halfcourt behind his back up oz and made It manuginobili http://bit.ly/9hxY4F Introducing Nicola Ginobili, his bro, Dante, didn't want to be in the pic. Both r doing great. VERY happy! tp9network Big win tonight!! At dinner with wifey!!! http://bit.ly/bTgyCS You can also find all the official Spurs Sports & Entertainment Twitter accounts here: http://twitter.com/spurs/official/members |
Where to Tune In
TVThis game will be aired on ESPN. For those who still can't watch, read on. OnlineAs always, NBA League Pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Most Spurs games 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. In fact, nobody can stop you from googling "atdhe". You can also shoot an email to poundingtherockmail@yahoo.com for more assistance. Spurs 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
no mention of scal should ever be without referencing this:
free malik hairston!
perth wildcats - 2009/2010 nbl champions baby!
by sleep research facility on Mar 28, 2010 8:41 AM CDT reply actions
I voted on the Commodores....
is that the time he was talking about being in a war and machine guns and stuff like that?
Hah, I’m not sure about that but I got my reference from this.
by silverandblack_davis on Mar 28, 2010 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Also, KG as a “”http://soprophetic.blogspot.com/2009/12/5-reasons-why-you-too-should-love.html" target="new">master analogist/similist/metaphorist".
by silverandblack_davis on Mar 28, 2010 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
C fan, but I voted “Anything’s possaaaaabuuuuullll!!!”.
It made me feel awkward the first time he screamed it, and it will make me feel awkward forever.
Anyhoo, let’s get this show on the road. Can’t wait ‘till the game starts tbh, I really disliked your squad for a while (Ginobili, Parker, Duncan, they’re amongst my most-hated-list and I can’t even figure out why :x) but since I’ve been showing up in some of your game threads, I’ve actually started liking “y’all”.
So, yeh, have a blast, Spurs fans.
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
See you later, dude. By the way, I checked out the poll at CelticsBlog and really, people want Michael Finley as the primary backup to Pierce and Allen? FinDog’s money in the clutch though, so at least he has that going for him.
by silverandblack_davis on Mar 28, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I know this is late notice and all that, but I am in town this week. My wife and I are planning to find a local establishment to take in the game and have a few cold beverages. Maybe some other PtRers would like to join up with us, or give me a good idea of where to watch at minimum………
We are staying downtown, so sonewhere nearby is preferrable, but not mandatory. We were at a place called the Ticket on Houston/Losoya the other day and it was OK. I wouldnt be surprised to find out there is a better place to watch.
Anyone want to chime in with suggestions and/or come out to join us?
An interesting read: Tim Duncan versus Kevin Garnett
No, we didn’t put them in a cage and have them duke it out; this is just a topic over at Celticsblog where we’re discussing which of the two is the better player.
I think you’ll find yourselves in some of the views, should you so deem this post worthy enough to click the link and check for yourselves ;)
http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=36475.0
Cheerio!
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
Will I be kicked out if I root for Duncan?
by silverandblack_davis on Mar 28, 2010 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Read the posts buddy :)
Half the people of CB do.
I would too, even though I hate “Timmy” with a passion ;)
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
By the way I think some of the times listed are not quite accurate (although I could be misunderstanding some of the unique place names.) The game starts at 5:00PM on the US west coast which is now on the same time as Phoenix I believe. That means it would start at 6:00PM in Denver (in mountain daylight time).
The Lakers "Too big, too strong, too long, too good."
I suck at timezones but thankfully, Tim’s got my back.
by silverandblack_davis on Mar 28, 2010 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Fuck it, Celtics by 90
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobili
Hard to predict this one. We certainly have better cohesion since our 19 turnover and 10 missed FT loss back in early December (what an ugly seven point loss). But we don’t have Tony and this one is in Boston. However they only had two offensive boards and Blair had a great game so if that happens again (great chance with no Perkins) I’m betting we win. And isn’t Bonner required to have his season high in points in his annual return trip to New England?
Go Spurs!
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
From the preview, the teams seem to be matched quite closely. Of course, we have Manu, and they don’t. Pierce at 3 is probably their biggest advantage. Without Perk, they should have no advantage on the boards. Looks like a winnable game to me, but probably will be a dogfight, with single digit differences all the way. Bonner must dominate Scalabrine for us to win.
We should start rebuilding around Durant
Ahhh yes, the battle of the Gingers will determine who wins the day.
Spurs Basketball. Improving [other] NBA teams since 2010! - swgeek
When it comes to “ugly duck walk” having to save the day, it is not reassuring since our “Ginger” is most likely bound to vanish in the playoffs. Its the same song. Against LA, our open shooters couldn’t convert their open looks too many darn open times.
Its always the “IF”. But they don’t.
Gonna be very impressed if we win.
The Celtics are coming off a 4 day vacation. Meanwhile the Spurs have not had consecutive days off since having March 14 and 15 off….
Crappy teams fear us !
My bad. The Celtics played the Kings on March 26th and only have one day of rest, same as us. ( Thats what I get by going off the Celtics NBA schedule page. It doesnt even show a score for the celtics/kings game 2 days ago )
Crappy teams fear us !
I am surprised that you tied Pop to Doc. I think Doc is one of worse coaches in NBA.
Next season doesn't exist. Only today exists. So say we all.
He is, but I’m withholding praise for Pop until we finally string quality wins. Just like what the team did tonight.
by silverandblack_davis on Mar 28, 2010 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions
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