San Antonio Spurs @ New Orleans Hornets
New Orleans ArenaJanuary 7th, 7:00pm Spurs Time
TV: FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI
Monday night the Spurs will look to continue their winning ways against the Hornets in New Orleans. After winning seven straight, the Spurs lost a SEGABABA to the New York Knicks, but recovered nicely beating the 76ers Saturday night.
Aside from the schedule-induced loss to the Knicks, the Spurs have recently been playing some of their best basketball of the season. A lot of the Spurs' recent success has to do with the return of Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi gives the Spurs youth and athleticism that pushes the team to another level.
Popovich's decision to start Tiago alongside Duncan has also worked out nicely for the Spurs. If the Spurs have a weakness, it's that they can be beaten on the boards. Playing the two big men helps to start the Spurs off well on the boards. I also enjoy the Spurs defense when the two bigs protect the rim while Danny and Kawhi harass the perimeter.
The Hornets come into Monday's game with the worst record in the Western Conference. As bad as their record is, the Hornets are not a team to take lightly. The Spurs played the Hornets in the first game of the season and barely won, 99-95. The Hornets are inexperienced and young, but also very athletic.
While the Spurs were busy beating the 76ers Saturday night, the Hornets were in Dallas taking on the Mavericks. The Hornets won in overtime, 99-96, spoiling Dirk's first start of the season. The loss prompted Dirk to openly question Mark Cuban's leadership. Mark Cuban openly questioned the official's competency.
Dallas is 13-21. The Lakers are 15-17. Your Spurs are 27-9. How fantastic has this season been? The Spurs will look to continue the magical ride Monday night. If the Spurs take the game seriously, they should emerge victorious.
Lineups
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Lineups
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Game Prediction: Spurs by 18.
Please visit At The Hive for the Hornet's perspective. (They are going to have to change their name after they lose the Hornets moniker. I vote for 'In the Gullet.')
Game Previewers Prediction Records & points off per prediction
Wes Thorne 9-1* (-1, 0, 23, 2, -8*,1, 28, 10, 0, 2) *@MIA
Joe deLarios 8-2 (-1, 3, 5, 0, 1, 6,-11, -3, 16, 14)
Fred 3-2 (3, -8, 20, 0)
Racm 3-3 (-25, -14, -5, 15, 12, 1)
Stijl 1-1 (-12, 11)
CapHill 1-0 (13)
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.