Game #72 Preview: Spurs @ Blazers - Do we have a chance?

Free Novak!
Go Tiago!
Free Bruno!
Go SPURS Go!

I hope Tiago plays inspired in this game. As a tribute, here’s Diana Krall with the Boy from Ipanema.

I think the Spurs would be better off, short term, with starting Blair over Splitter. Why? Because Blair is used to starting, and Splitter isn’t. So Blair would play better, even without playing alongside Duncan. McDyess is a savvy veteran, who has started a ton of games in his career. He would help Blair to play well, though obviously not as much as Duncan would.

Besides, it’s not like Splitter will be starting in the playoffs (barring injury) anyway. Letting him play off the bench, but with more minutes, would be less pressure and he would probably play better that way.

I’m sure Pop knows all of this. So he probably has an Ace up his sleeve. He probably wants to test Splitter by giving him the starting nod, and the pressure that he has from his teammates of perform up to par. If he pasts the test, maybe this will be good for him in the playoffs. Then, if Duncan, or another big is out with foul trouble and he has to come in late in the game, he won’t play like the 11th or 12th man he’s been all year. He’ll have this experience under his belt and hopefully the confidence of knowing that he can play well with the starters.
      With all that said, I have to say that I’m happy for Splitter to have this opportunity. I know he’s experienced and has played well under pressure in Europe. But being on a new team in a different, more challenging league means you have to prove yourself all over again.
Just remember, what he gains from this experience of starting for 5 games (or however long), may be more important than how he actually performs. We may not really know what he gains from this experience until he gives a post-game interview in the playoffs.

     I expect the Spurs to play well tonight and beat the Blazers. They have too many competitors and too much talent for this to not be at least, a close game. Plus, just maybe the Blazers will feel too good about their chances knowing that Duncan is out. Hopefully that translates into a less than perfect effort from L. Aldridge. I always felt like whenver he played against Duncan, it would bring out the best in him.

We know Pop will not let up on his guys. It will be interesting to see how much intensity Nate’s guys have. Considering they have one of the toughest schedules remaining ( Us twice, OKC twice, plus Dallas, Lakers, @Utah and @ N.O.), it will not be easy for them to maintain the # 6 seed.

I for one hope they do not fall all the way to # 8. I would rather face N.O. or the Rockets and see Portland matched up vs. L.A. in round one.

::sigh:: I’m just going to write James Anderson off for the remainder of 2011. It looks like Pop has settled on his “playoff rotation” and James doesn’t appear to be a factor in it at all. A shame because I really liked his energy and what he brought to the second unit in his brief November stint. But it’s not his fault. Happenstance just played a part in diminishing James’ time on the court. With the lockout likely lasting throughout the summer, I hope he finds a way to stay sharp and in shape in preparation for a “debut redux” next season.

The Spurs will win the game tonight if the guys play hard and Pop dosen’t go small. In the fourth if Blair is our C and Neal is defending Aldridge, Blazers win!

Do we have a chance?

Hell yeah! We lost the first game in Portland because Miller & Matthews outplayed the trio of Parker/Hill/Neal. If that happens again, we lose again regardless of how well Aldridge is defended. Aldridge had a career game but the only Spur to have a good game was Manu. Still, the Spurs led throughout but lost in the 4th.

Keep Aldridge around 28 points, Neal keeps doing his thing, and Tony dominates for stretches as he should and Spurs win tonight. I look forward to Tiago staying out of foul trouble and utilizing his quickness to put some pressure on Aldridge’s outside shot.

spurs by 13!

We stumbled after our biggest adversity of the season. I hope they have settled down and rise to the occasion as a team. Let’s get this one in Portland! GSG!

1.WE WELD STUFF, THEY DON’T
2.REP THE TONE, BROCHINSKIS
3. PLAY BONNER AND BLAIR WITH NOVAK SO THEIR DEFENSE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
4. WELD 1-3 TOGETHER SO WE CAN REPWELDSHOOTTHREESTOOOOOOOONNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE

I like too it still gives us a decent sized front court.

Do we have a chance?

Vegas has us at 4.5 point underdogs. That sounds pretty bad but it’s the second most likely road upset on the night (behind Detroit at Cleveland).

I expect it to be close, at least! And the Spurs have been excellent at closing games out this year. Just not last game.

Pop should put Blair back in the starting lineup when Duncan comes back. Dice is too big of a spark, the bench lacks punch now that he’s a starter. (Unless a certain matchup necessitates Dice start, like a series against Dallas)