Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder

by Joe deLarios on Jan 8, 2012 9:00 AM CST in Game Previews

San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Chesapeake Energy Arena
1/8/2012, 6pm Spurs Time
TV: NBA TV and FSSW - RADIO: WOAI

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be playing a THIGABABABA today. The San Antonio Spurs will be playing a SEGABABA. BSPN will tell you that it's a 'young, talented team versus an old, wily veteran team' but what it really comes down to is who can knock down their 3s while controlling the paint.

Both teams like to shoot the 3 ball. Both are in top ten for 3s made and 3%. SA takes over 3 more 3-point attempts than OKC and converts +2 per game than OKC. On the defensive side OKC allows +2 more 3-point attempts per game than the Spurs do. But, OKC's opponents have been hitting at a 40% clip while SAS allows their opponents to hit 50%. In both of OKC's losses, their opponents shot a higher 3%.

If either team is hitting their long range shots and the other one does not, it will be game over before the half. If SAS can come out firing and put OKC under some pressure early, the Thunder should collapse. They are playing a third game back to back to back and no matter the will, the body and mind both tire. If SAS cannot jump on an early lead, then the Thunder can utilize their youthful energy and confidence to make this a real scrap.


Lineups Starters PG: Tony Parker SG: Gary Neal SF: Richard Jefferson PF: Tim Duncan C: DeJuan Blair Key Bench Players Tiago Splitter Kawhi Leonard James Anderson			Lineups Starters PG: Russell Westbrook SG: Thabo Sefolosha SF: Kevin Durant PF: Serge Ibaka C: Kendrick Perkins Key Bench Players Nick Collison James Harden Nazr Mohammed

NBA Stats Cube Lineup Comparison Here. Thunder perspective here: Welcome to Loud City

As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and 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.

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Comments

I love the way you cut to the chase, AG.

Several Spurs last night mentioned the need to show that they can bring the intensity and quality that they show at home and carry it with them on the road. Today is certainly an opportunity to do just that.

(Full disclaimer: I hate everyone.) -- Fred Silva and JRW

by quincyscott on Jan 8, 2012 9:30 AM CST reply actions

That stats cube is really interesting. The stats for our starting lineup blow away the stats for their starting lineup. Our % from the restricted area took a big jump over the past couple of days, though the % from in the paint outside the restricted area still could stand improvement. With both teams likely to have a good deal of fatigue, Anderson and Bonner should be well rested and have an opportunity this game. I like Ike to get some minutes as well.

by Alamo on Jan 8, 2012 9:46 AM CST reply actions

Make sure and note the total time that each particular line up has played together

"got him at 42……Chad Ford can’t keep up with RC ‘Bargin Basement’ Buford."

Spurs Yoda on Draft Night 2011

by Joe deLarios on Jan 8, 2012 4:51 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

For better or worse, I think this game will be over by half time.

"Are you gunna bite all day little doggie, or are you gunna bite?"

by Joseph Parkes on Jan 8, 2012 9:52 AM CST reply actions

We’ll see. Jefferson, Blair, Parker and Green all played a little over 30 minutes last night, so Parker and Jefferson may be physically fatigued. But nobody else played more than 20 minutes. Another benefit of our bench playing so well.

For a couple of years it seems that George Hill was a spark for us coming off the bench, but this year everybody is contributing. Part of that may be due to T.J. Ford distributing the ball to open shooters, getting everyone involved. I know we have been talking about having a great bench for several years now, but this season it may just be true.

(Full disclaimer: I hate everyone.) -- Fred Silva and JRW

by quincyscott on Jan 8, 2012 10:09 AM CST up reply actions

It’s nice to see Ford helping the second unit. Probably since 2003, with Speedy Claxton, if Manu wasn’t out there with the bench guys things just stalled. It’s nice to see some production from the bench. We’re going to need it this year and specifically this month.

by Big50 on Jan 8, 2012 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

I was out last night- just saw the results from the Nuggets game. What the holy hell happened there?

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." -Bertrand Russell

by TexaninNYC on Jan 8, 2012 10:10 AM CST reply actions

Great game. Spurs jumped on them early, lead by 10 to 15 most of the game, Nuggets made a run at the end of each half. Parker, Green, and Jefferson made big plays down the stretch to seal it. Green was all over the place both on both ends.

Not a whole lot of defense, I guess, although these are both good defensive teams. For our part, a lot of the shots Denver made were with a hand in their face—I didn’t think the Spurs were playing bad on the defensive end, the Nuggets are just good shooters.

(Full disclaimer: I hate everyone.) -- Fred Silva and JRW

by quincyscott on Jan 8, 2012 10:26 AM CST up reply actions

Where is Danny Green in the reserves list?!?

<++ If Dejuan Blair had ACLs, nobody would ever get a rebound ++>

by Galfusica on Jan 8, 2012 10:11 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

My guess is this preview was completed before the end of the game last night.

by Big50 on Jan 8, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

Defensive keys to the game:

1. Keep Westbrook out of the paint, but let him take midrange shots all he wants to.
2. Get a hand in the face of Durant and Harden on every shot they take.

Offense:

1. Pick and roll them to death.

Dark days ahead

by Tim C. on Jan 8, 2012 11:44 AM CST reply actions

Sounds like a good plan.

by Big50 on Jan 8, 2012 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

Let him take midrange, but you do need to challenge his shot from time to time. He can get streaky and it’s good to keep him off of gaining rhythm.

Winter is coming

by grego21 on Jan 8, 2012 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

i agree. in the last 5 games against the Spurs, Westbrook has only shot 32.6%. as long as he takes those shots and is contested, he might continue that trend.

"You know the difference between you and me? I make this look GOOD." - Agent Jay, Men In Black

by RG8907 on Jan 8, 2012 3:54 PM CST up reply actions

Nice stat

"got him at 42……Chad Ford can’t keep up with RC ‘Bargin Basement’ Buford."

Spurs Yoda on Draft Night 2011

by Joe deLarios on Jan 8, 2012 4:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Good preview AG. I’m looking forward to seeing Kawhibunga guarding Durant.

Off topic
The Wizards are awul. I feel bad for Wall. Rubio has 13 assists, but is shooting 4-12 as I’m writing this. Minny up 22 with 6 minutes to go on the 4th.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell

by Edg5 on Jan 8, 2012 2:05 PM CST reply actions