Game Preview #78: San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns

Somebody needs to go all SuperNova for this one.
I kinda said I got some more comics for the preview, but I'm feeling the heat to take this game veeery seriously. I don't know why, but I want to beat the Suns so bad.
Just five more games left, fellas. Jump in for a SEGABABA-affected, bare-bones preview.
Some pump-you-up music to put you in the proper state of mind.
San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns Where: US Airways Center - Phoenix, AZ When: April 7, 2010, 9:30 PM Spurs time Watch: ESPN (National TV? FFFFUUUUUU); My35 HD
How They Stack Up
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Matchups
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Garrett Temple Shirley |
Point Guard You know what? I don't give a shizzo if Tony might be starting or getting the bulk of minutes at PG. A man named Garrett Temple earned his keep last game and deserves some air time. That being said, Steve Nash is still the heart and soul of 7SOL basketball and a future hall of famer. Advantage: Suns |
Steve Nash Floppy |
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Manu Ginobili Sunny Disposition |
Shooting Guard And I quote the man himself - "I’m feeling really confident right now." That's all we need to know, right? Advantage: Spurs |
Jason Richardson Misses Breakaway Dunks |
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Richard Jefferson Rich-J |
Small Forward Took him awhile, but RJ's finally gotten in the flow of things. I say 'bout time, you $14-million Peanut. Grant Hill, oldness and injuries aside, is still a solid player with good BBIQ. If RJ can take advantage of his ath-u-leticism, he can easily take over this matchup. Advantage: Spurs |
Grant Hill The Original G-Hill |
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Tim Duncan Stoudenightmare |
Power Forward It's a SEGABABA and we can only hope that Timmeh's 22 minutes against the Kings didn't tire him out much. Robin Lopez is out so there will be one less big man to contend with. Amare's on a pretty hot streak and just won Western Conference Player of the Month honors for March. His defense, however, is still the same old friend the Spurs know and love. Advantage: Tied |
Amar'e Stoudemire Horace Grant Glasses |
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Antonio McDyess Solid Snake |
Center Dice played another good game against the Kings, contrary to the letdown I predicted. Let's hope he brings the same contribution against a Suns team that will probably play smaller and faster with Sideshow Mel out. Advantage: Spurs |
Jarron Collins Another Twin from Stanford |
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Tony Parker BAM Newbie |
Bench & Role Players Alvin Gentry has done a good job integrating a solid bench to finally ease the burden on the Suns' starters. Picture this - against the loss to Milwaukee, only two players played at least 30 minutes and one of those came off the bench (Jared Dudley). It also wasn't a blowout by any means. The hot shooting troika of Dudley, Goran Dragic and Leandro Barbosa might give our slower players fits, so the Tony-powered BAM should really step it up. Advantage: Suns |
Leandro Barbosa Brazilian Blur |
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Gregg Popovich CIA Agent |
Coach Time to show the Suns who still rules the West, Pop. Advantage: Spurs |
Alvin Gentry Better Than Mike D |
| images via yahoo.com | ||
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Other Factors
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Intangibles Both teams are on amazing surges, but the Suns haven't played this late season version of the Spurs before. Advantage: Spurs |
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Mojo ::tumbleweedcrickets:: Advantage: None |
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Winner The high-scoring Suns are always a threat to run away with this one, considering it's also their home court. But the Spurs are sending out statement wins across the league and don't expect that to change one bit. Spurs |
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Keys To The Game
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Last Time They MetThe last duel was mostly remembered for the fortuitous missed dunk by Jason Richardson, allowing the Spurs to escape with a 113-110 victory on February 28. Amare torched us for 41 points, but we managed to hold everyone else in check. It also helped that six Spurs reached double figures. |
Strength of Schedule
After this SEGABABA, we enter into the third game of a FOGAFINI versus the no-pushover Memphis Grizzlies, and then round out the hellacious schedule with a visit to CapHill and SiMa's crib. The Suns schedule isn't any easier, as they are still scheduled to square off against 3 more Western Conference playoff teams, starting with the Thunder on a day's rest after this one. |
Some Other ReadingSunsBright Side of the Sun - These guys are our SBN siblings for Phoenix, and they do a phenomenal job. Valley of the Suns - Here's the TrueHoop blog dedicated to the Suns. These other teams' THN blogs seem to be getting better over time, which is a very encouraging sign. Worth the read. Spurs48 Minutes of Hell: Speaking of THN blogs, Tim, Graydon, Jessie and Andrew are still the best. |
Where to Tune InTVThis game will be on ESPN, but for those who don't have access, you might want to read on below... OnlineAs 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. You know, when we're not at the games. 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
A pipe ruptured in my house. As in right now at 4am. The smell of the fish I was complaining about before is like smelling flowers compared to this. Hopefully the pathogens I contracted while cleaning up the mess will kill me fast so I don’t have to remember seeing things I rather not had seen.
Go Spurs and all of that.
I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.
Huge games tonight.
UTH @ HOU – They played late last night so you never know. Considering their schedule, I think they are on track for the second seed.
DEN @ OKC – We need the Thunder to win this to pull us within a game of Denver.
MEM @ DAL – Ditto for Memphis.
and our game, of course. May Nash fall apart and ’A’m’’a’’r’e’’’ miss all of his dunks.
Who would you rather have in the second round of the playoffs; Utah or LA?
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 7:52 AM CDT reply actions
Blazers are also active against the Clippers. Lakers are the only West playoff team not playing tonight. They play the Nuggets tomorrow though.
If OKC and the Spurs win, we will both be at 49-29. We’ll also put the Suns and Nuggets to 50-28, only 1 game ahead of us.
Whichever one looks shittier in the first round….about LA or Utah.
Thursday-Friday-Saturday
Lakers @ Nuggets
Jazz @ Hornets
Suns @ Thunder
Grizzlies @ Spurs
Mavs @ Blazers
Spurs @ Nuggets
Mavs @ Kings
Please, FSM, let us (and the Mavs) be at 51-29…..
Right, so were Memphis “fans” today and Lakers faa… fa… aa -ack-thhh… faa… faa-uck it.
…we would like LA to beat Denver tomorrow.
I’m thinking that if Utah wins the second seed, we should root for the fourth (at worst, fifth). I would prefer to see the Suns or Thunder go up against Utah in the first round.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I would love to see Utah go through a few more of those in the first round.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
the long game part… not so much the motivational win part.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I, too, am more afraid of Utah. We just don’t have an answer for Boozer.
"What is this new devilry?" -Jeff Van Gundy
by DrumsInTheDeep on Apr 7, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
We also really need Hill and Parker at 100% for a Utah series.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
and no more fucking Kirilenko layup/dunk drills.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope with all of my heart for this to be true, but I just don’t know if the old man can hold it together over a punishing 6 or 7 game series (let alone we we play them in a later round). Of course, there’s always a chance that Boozer will crumble under pressure. He’s done it before.
"What is this new devilry?" -Jeff Van Gundy
by DrumsInTheDeep on Apr 7, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
I think he will be fine. He is on track to finishing the season playing 78 out of 82 games. There are no back-to-backs in the playoffs and the travel isn’t as crazy.
and supposedly, like Tim, he reserves himself for the post-season.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Completely agree. I also think we could try the Spurs classic of singling Boozer out and letting him score 30+ but going complete double team lockdown on whoever has the ball other than him.
That could work—as long as Boozer AND D-Will don’t light us up in the same game.
"What is this new devilry?" -Jeff Van Gundy
by DrumsInTheDeep on Apr 7, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I dont fear these guys all that much. Their defense is suspect, and the Spurs have the backcourt weapons to really hurt them.
Crappy teams fear us !
The issue with Utah is that Sloan has them playing really disciplined ball. It’s the only way they can win. It’s not like they have the talent of LA and can go outside of their game plan and have some success. They have to play Jazz ball or they have no chance.
So when we go up against them, we need to beat them, b/c chances are that they won’t be beating themselves — unless Boozer just collapses under the pressure.
Alfajores cause mojo! - janieannie
I don’t know. We’re gonna win the championship anyway.
You shall have no other Manu before me.
by day_late_friend on Apr 7, 2010 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions
We seem to always slow down the run-n-gun team while elevating our own pace. It’s worked nicely and with young guns like Temple and Blair and the ath-uh-lete Richard Jefferson, I think we should be fine,
Also, Spurs have only lost one game TV game whenever I watch them and I am most definitely watching tonight after that win over the Lakers I watched. The mojo may be dead to ya’ll but I’m staying off the game threads and watching Spurs on TV if only for my own personal mojo.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
We could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you.
by Big50 on Apr 7, 2010 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
via Wikipedia
Popovich, whose father was of Serbian descent, was born in East Chicago, Indiana and graduated in 1970 from the United States Air Force Academy. He played basketball for four seasons at the Academy, and in his senior year was the team captain and the leading scorer. He graduated with his bachelors degree in Soviet Studies, and he underwent Air Force intelligence gathering and processing training. He even considered a career with the Central Intelligence Agency.
And so we like to joke about how he always has inside connections to intel that other teams/coaches don’t, etc.
Alfajores cause mojo! - janieannie
by J.R. Wilco on Apr 7, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Shhhhhhhhh.
:: checking the name ‘jollyrogerwilco’ on the list ::
:: firing up the Caprice for a little ‘visit’ ::
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Apr 7, 2010 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Are there any pictures of Pop’s playing days?
I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.
I think they’ve been destroyed. And now, so will you for asking.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Apr 7, 2010 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Word peeps. I will be at the game, send me positive energy so I dont get beat up by an angry spur-hating mob I have more for the team.
Crappy teams fear us !
Yep, I made it but I think it’s really lame :P But thanks anyway, janie :)
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions
First off, I know we’re going with tradition at this point, but it’s hilarious (and enormously cruel) to even list the word “mojo” in a preview with the suns. So much has been done, so much has happened that I literally think nothing that phoenix does in the next decade could ever mentally erase all the pimp-slapping we’ve given them.
So, there’s that.
Second, no way Grant Hill and his monkey kidney even stand a prayer tonight. Manu always comes to Arizona hungry for dreams, and it is a land in which there are plenty.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Apr 7, 2010 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Does that make him The Dreamcatcher? Or more of a Freddy Krueger character (I know which one the Suns fans would choose)…
"What is this new devilry?" -Jeff Van Gundy
by DrumsInTheDeep on Apr 7, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I like Dreamruiner, or Dreameater.
Or just plain ol’ Mr. Dreamy.
Ahhhhhh.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Apr 7, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
How is it up there today?
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Apr 7, 2010 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, woke up to 10" this morning (TWSS), but it’s supposed to clear up in a couple hours. Figures. Only happens like this on days I’m supposed to come up to your neighborhood.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Apr 7, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks, jal. Doesn’t quite measure up to the master though :)
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
A few thoughts I wanted to toss out:
- Leandro Barbosa didn’t play in the last meeting between these two clubs; his speed has always created problems. I know Pop and the coaching staff will make a note of the speed/irritation of the Dragic/Barbosa second unit attack. Just hope BAM doesn’t fall asleep at the wheel.
- I don’t care how soft Channing Frye is. He damn well better not be left wide-open for any three-ball attempts. Pop should bench and rip into any Spur who doesn’t closeout on him or any of the Suns’ 3-pt shooters (re: Dragic, Nash, etc.). Nash, now that I think about it, is a difficult close-out because of his transition-pullup threes. HATE those.
- Let A’m’a’r’e’ have a huge night. No. I’m not kidding. The guy’s dialed in, but our Spurs have had good success when STAT’s going for FITTY and no one else on the Suns are able to contribute in any decisive way.
I’ll catch-up with you all in the second-half thread tonight.
...!!
I think if they play like they did against the Magic, they’ll be alright. While they switched way too many screens for my liking, it did help contain the outside shooters in that game. One thing I’ve noticed from the Spurs, their transition defense has improved quite a bit, that should help in this game.
I actually think we’ve done a good job using Barbosa’s speed against himself. We contain him so well that when he gets a lane he goes 100mph, only to be out of control and turn the ball over or miss a layup.
I agree about Frye. Matter of fact we need to defend them as we did in the ’05 WCF: stick to all 3 pt shooters and make Nash be a scorer. He and Amare may combine for 60 but the rest of the bunch gets held to 40 or less with no 3s to get the crowd going. It leaves them flustered and makes Nash carry even more of the weight which means he plays even less defense.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
S&B – I’d give the bench to the Spurs. We’ll have Tony, Blair and Bonner. And those Suns starters played light minutes at Milwaukee because they never played in the 4th… cause they were down 20+ points. That one was a blowout from mid-2nd quarter and got some late polish to make it appear competitive.. Gentry pulled a Pop in that game.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Good point and thanks for clarifying about that Bucks game. I still think the Suns bench has improved since the D’Antoni days, and Tony’s still at his turnover-prone worst, so at best I should’ve probably called it even. I hope BAM proves me wrong.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions
A lesson from the last few games is that we should never double team anyone. That makes it a helluva lot harder for teams that rely on the three ball. A contested three is still the hardest shot in basketball, unless you’re Dwight Howard, then it’s the free throw.
HA!
"What is this new devilry?" -Jeff Van Gundy
by DrumsInTheDeep on Apr 7, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Ginobili, Spurs close on 3-year extension
"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
FUCK. YES.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
He is right, in that none of the Western Conference teams are scared of each other. But if Marion is out for any amount of time, Dallas becomes Allas, once again.
Cuban is afraid of the Spurs. But of course he wouldn’t admit that.
You shall have no other Manu before me.
by day_late_friend on Apr 7, 2010 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Destroying Dallas in the playoffs would be just as satisfying as beating Los Angeles.
Crappy teams fear us !
To me… it would be more satisfying than beating LA.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions
That has the makings of a great song!
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions
MIght he start with himself?
Seriously, I enjoy that he’s writing checks his players won’t be able to cash. Keep on talking lil mark. You can yell even louder at the refs from your seats when your team wallks off the floor in a few weeks, dismissed and dejected yet again, in round one.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Guess whos getting resigned?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-ginobilispurs040710
JV!?!?!
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I predict a hip check, bloody nose and a bunch of suspensions for tonight. Spurs by 15.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
And I raise you a Timmeh threepointer.
"The Most Interesting Man in the World" wishes he were Manu Ginobili. - janieannie
I’ll see your three-pointer and I’ll raise you a game winning shot by the man, the leged, The Manu =D
I thought we were winning by 15?
"What is this new devilry?" -Jeff Van Gundy
by DrumsInTheDeep on Apr 7, 2010 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
“You just don’t turn it on in the playoffs,” Pierce said. “You’ve got to start building some momentum right now.”
This is why I’d love to be an 8-seed. Less than I’d want the Spurs to be a 2-5 seed though, but you know what I mean.
"The Most Interesting Man in the World" wishes he were Manu Ginobili. - janieannie
Amare should not have an apostrophe at all. Apostrophes are for possession and missing letters. What letter is missing?
Yes, “True Dat,” the 27th letter of the alphabet.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on Blair
by Manu ex Machina on Apr 7, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
He’s missing “D”.
I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.
by Hipuks on Apr 7, 2010 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1,000,000
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions
“Possessive” = wants to be “the man”
“Missing” = Defense
So yes, I think the apostrophe/s fit.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, we always knew he was missing “D.”
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 2:57 PM CDT reply actions
reply fail…
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Apr 7, 2010 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I don’t think the back to back is going to be much of an issue this time around…Manu is on Fiya and Tim is turning up his offense as well
"Fried chicken gives me the shits......." - Gandhi
by Cello the great on Apr 7, 2010 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Can’t wait for this shit tonite! So freakin excited!
i say spurs by 68
"There are two things in life that should never go together.....those two things are cheese and herpes..." - Santa Claus
Isn’t it stuff like this that killed the mojo?
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
We obeyed the mojo’s every whim and we sucked during the first part of the season. When we didn’t give a fuck and declared the mojo dead, we have had success. Either the mojo is a masochist, the mojo is dead and can’t retaliate against us, or there wasn’t any mojo to begin with and we were just part of a massive delusion.
I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.
Do we actually exist, or is this just something that’s not happening. We just aren’t here. But then why can we communicate? Maybe we are all in the mind of one person? Maybe God, maybe someone else…
"The Most Interesting Man in the World" wishes he were Manu Ginobili. - janieannie
Before the game and at halftime is fine. Otherwise, it’s still a no-no, but not because of the mojo. That’s just basic American sports superstition. Plus, the MOJO IS DEAD.
The Spurs have been doing so well without me in the game thread (3 of 3), so I’ll again sit this one out and watch this alone.
Davis, RPN 9?
"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
I checked BTV and ESPNStar, and they’re both not carrying this game. So hopefully RPN 9 steps up.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn, Houston is giving it to Utah. 92-70 nearing the end of the 3rd.
Also, looks like OKC’s going to be in another down-the-wire classic but this time against the Nuggs.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 8:49 PM CDT reply actions
in 30 minutes, yeah
"We'll see how our character is," guard Tony Parker said. "We don't have time to be sad. Nobody cares. It's just us. We're the only ones who can help each other."
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Apr 7, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Game Thread is up.
Just cause we're crippled, don't mean we gotta take the crumbs.
by silverandblack_davis on Apr 7, 2010 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions

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