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Game #8 Preview: Spurs vs. 76ers - Keep it rolling

Spurs are 6-1 and looking a little out of sorts. I guess if you're going to be out of sorts a 6-1 record to go along with that is nice. In fact, I wouldn't mind the Spurs looking out of sorts all season if they can keep this wining percentage up. Much like any sport winning is the most important thing, just ask the Dallas Cowboys. So as long as this team can keep managing to win, I'm good with that.

The one Spur not out of sorts at all is Richard Jefferson. Showing you his crazy 4 fingered hand in this photo. Creepy. Rage committed himself to getting better and has done so, at least to this point. I'm hoping he inspires the rest of the noobs to get 100% on board. If our rookies and new additions can show the same commitment that RJ did than this team will be able to make a deep run into the post season (let's just hope they figure it out sooner).

In honor of Rage's good play:


The schedule gets considerably tougher for the Spurs after this game. It would be good to see a nice easy win that gives Tim, Dyess, Manu and possibly even Parker some much needed rest. All of the Big 3 are averaging 30+ minutes a game and Dice is around 25. That number needs to get lower. The rest of the schedule this month is brutal. Winning the games they should will make life much easier later in the season for this team.

A guy that needs to pick it up: George Hill.

Where is the George Hill that we saw against Dallas last year in the playoffs? Cubits needs to regain whatever confidence he has lost and pick it up. This team needs a solid leader for the second unit and it needs to be him. We love you Jorge, but it's time to get back to your solid play.

A guy who is back from injury: Matt Bonner

That's right. Tonight marks the return of The Galloping Gossamer. May the FSM bestow him with great shooting, and have mercy on all who oppose him. Then again, there's not exactly a lot of frontcourt minutes up for grabs at this point.


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San Antonio Spurs vs Philadelphia 76ers
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio

When: November 13, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Spurs Time
Watch: KRRT 35


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By the Numbers

Data source: basketball-reference.com

Category Stat Rank
Offensive Efficiency 110.3 4th
Defensive Efficiency 105.3 9th
Defensive Rebound Rate
73% 16th
Offensive Rebound Rate 28% 9th
Field Goal Percentage 47% 10th
3-Point FG Percentage 43% 1st
Free Throw Percentage
74% 23rd
Turnover Percentage
15% 23rd
Category Stat Rank
Offensive Efficiency 104.9 21st
Defensive Efficiency 105.4 12th
Defensive Rebound Rate
75% 10th
Offensive Rebound Rate 24% 23rd
Field Goal Percentage 45% 18th
3-Point FG Percentage 31% 27th
Free Throw Percentage
80% 6th
Turnover Percentage 14% 18th
Record Wins Losses
Overall 6 1
Conference 4 1
Division 1 1
Home 3 1
Away 3 0
Position Conference Division
Record 3rd 2nd
Lineups

Starters
PG: Tony Parker
SG: Manu Ginobili
SF: Richard Jefferson
PF: DeJuan Blair
C: Tim Duncan

Key Bench Players
George Hill
Tiago Splitter
Gary Neal

Record Wins Losses
Overall 2 7
Conference 2 5
Division 1 0
Home 1 3
Away 1 4
Position Conference Division
Record 12th 4th
Lineups

Starters
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Andre Iguodala
SF: Andres Nocioni
PF: Elton Brand
C: Spencer Hawes

Key Bench Players
Louis Williams
Thaddeus Young
Evan Turner

Matchup Analysis

Point Guard
Shooting Guard
Small Forward
Power Forward
Center
Bench
Coach
Intangibles
Mojo
Winner

Starters

PG: Frenchie McWonderbutt has been playing like his hair's on fire. He's been scoring and setting guys up. Jrue Holiday is a young PG for the 76ers and is very quick, but I don't see him being able to keep up with our beloved Frenchman

SG: Manu has been very solid lately, not to mention clutch, but he's not playing at his top level. Of course he could be playing with one arm and he'd be better than rookie Evan Turner. Igoudala is supposedly the 3rd string SG now days for the 76ers (this according to ESPN's depth chart), but he's still logging 35 minutes a game so I'm not buying it. He will be a tough guard on the defensive end. I'd like to see if Gary Neal can handle a tough defensive assignment.

SF: Rage has been playing so well I'm starting to doubt if he can keep it going for the whole season. Nocioni is a decent SF and should test RJ's willingness and focus on defense. Nocioni can get hot in a hurry, let's hope that RJ is there to answer.

PF: Good ol' Elton Brand. This guy has got to be one of the most overrated and over-payed players in the NBA. Every time he leaves a team they get better. He does have a solid post game. Timmeh should own him on the offensive side of the ball. I'm hoping to see Duncan's minutes under 30 by a wide margin tonight.

C: Neither team gets a spur here. Blair has been very rough to start the season. His defense was a liability against the Clippers. The one thing I'd like to see Blair work on is, once the ball is in the air, BOX OUT. He's got the jumping and all that down, but get your body on your man and make sure you secure the rebound. Also, learn to layup. I have no thoughts on Hawes. I imagine we'll see a lot of Thaddeus Young here.

Bench

Anderson is hurt and out for 8 weeks. It's Gary Neal's chance to shine. Of course that assumes he'll see playing time. Hill had a pretty solid game against the Clippers and will look to keep that momentum going. The 76ers have Evan Turner and Young coming off their bench. It should be interesting to see how the Spurs second unit handles the new rotation.

Coaching

Greg Popovich or Doug Collins. Considering I know how Collins thinks since he spent several years trying to make my ears bleed, I'm going to go ahead and give Pop the edge here. I'm hoping Pop gives us more Splitter and Duncan together, that's a very nice defensive lineup.

Intangibles

Spurs are winning despite not playing Spurs like defense and the offense is still there. The 76ers, despite the Doug Collins factor, are not that good of a team and will be playing in a SEGABABA.

Mojo

Raging against the machine with the Bald Spot.

Prediction

Spurs win, but not as easily as they should.

Other Reading

Spurs

48 Minutes of Hell

Project Spurs

Spurs Nation

OPPONENT

Liberty Ballers - SB Nations 76er blog

Following Along

TV

KRRT 35 - In San Antonio

Radio

WOAI 1200AM; Audio League Pass[streaming]

Online

As 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.

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. You can also shoot an email to poundingtherockmail@yahoo.com(IMPORTANT: Please include your PtR username in the email for reference) for further assistance.