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Game #28 Preview: Nuggets @ Spurs

Sorry Nuggs fans, the torment continues.

It's a revenge game for the Nuggets, but unfortunately, the Spurs Grinch is here to stay to spoil the party and presents. Also, we currently sit at nine straight wins and I'd like for that number to hit double-digits again. Not that I'd want the Spurs to prove anything to the rest of the league (they really don't have to), but because you know, winning is fun.

Hackishness, after the jump.

Here is a 90s classic for your every-preview musical dose.


Also, since the Spurs won't be part of the Christmas mega lineup of games, here's an awesome Ramones Christmas track.


And now for some blatant lifting of the last Nuggets preview:


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Denver Nuggets @ San Antonio Spurs
Where: AT&T Center
When: 12-22-10, 7:30 p.m. Spurs Time - Timezone Converter
Watch: FSSW, NBA LP


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By the Numbers

Data sources:
hoopdata.com | basketball-reference.com | John Hollinger's team stats

Category Offense
(rank)
Defense
(rank)
Efficiency Rating 110.3
(1st)
99.7
(8th)
Rebound %
26.3
(15th)
74.6
(12th)
Field Goal % 47.4
(5th)
46.0
(17th)
3-Point % 40.5
(1st)
40.5
(29th)
Free Throw %
78.4
(7th)
73.0
(2nd)
Turnover %
12.8
(4th)
14.4
(8th)
Assist %
62.2
(6th)
53.4
(2nd)
Category Offense
(rank)
Defense
(rank)
Efficiency Rating 108.0
(6th)
105.4
(19th)
Rebound %
23.3
(27th)
74.5
(14th)
Field Goal % 46.2
(13th)
46.4
(19th)
3-Point % 38.9
(4th)
33.0
(4th)
Free Throw %
78.3
(9th)
73.9
(5th)
Turnover %
13.2
(10th)
12.4
(29th)
Assist %
57.3
(16th)
56.7
(13th)
Record Wins Losses
Overall 24 3
Conference 16 3
Division 4 2
Home 15 2
Away 9 1
Position Conference Division
Record 1st 1st
Lineups

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

Key Bench Players
Antonio McDyess
Matt Bonner
Gary Neal

Record Wins Losses
Overall 16 10
Conference 10 5
Division 2 1
Home 12 2
Away 4 8
Position Conference Division
Record 6th 3rd
Lineups

Starters
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Arron Afflalo
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Shelden Williams
C: Nene

Key Bench Players
J.R. Smith
Al Harrington
Anthony Carter

Matchup Analysis

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

Starters

PG: Lawson did a good job the last time out, not scoring a bunch of points but just orchestrating the Nuggets offense. Even though Lawson might be able to match Parker's quickness, Tony still has to put the pressure on this guy, and take advantage of at least the height advantage.

SG: Afflalo absolutely killed us in that tight game in Denver, so I hope the coaching staff can check him better for this one. He's a good shooter from deep and can play some defense. He made life a little more difficult for Manu, but I'm betting Ginobili will want to put the score further out of reach to remove doubts about the legitimacy of the Spurs' previous win.

SF: [Update Carmelo Anthony won't play tonight due to death in the family] : Let's admit it -- Melo just tore up RJ for 31 points in the last meeting, and easily blew by 2.0 in that last play if not for Manu stepping in to draw the charge. No one can really stop Anthony, but hopefully RJ can force him to take tougher shots than last time (10-20 FG for 50%), as Carmelo will also be looking to redeem his team from that narrow loss at home.

PF: Blair was largely ineffective in his first encounter with "The Landlord", but his play against the Suns bigs last game should give him some confidence. I have complete confidence that DeBeast can do a better job this time.

C: Nene is finally living up to his potential on offense, but his rebounding is still lacking and he gambles way too much on defense. Timmeh absolutely abused him in their first match up this season, and I expect the same to happen now that GOATPUFF is at home.

Bench

JR Smith probably made one of the sickest dunks of the year over Gary Neal, and I hope Neal responds to the challenge (he played superbly against the Suns). Dr. Quinn, Medicine Man, has also proved to be quite the steady shooter, and has been another pleasant surprise in a season already full of surprises. Additionally, Tiago was injured in the first meeting, so hopefully he can see the light of day against a rather shorthanded Denver frontline.

Coaching

Pop is Pop. Karl has become a much better coach during his tenure in Denver, but he still has to deal with too many headcases.

Intangibles

Denver is out to avenge its close loss, but the Spurs are at home and looking to start aggressively in preparation for the impending Orlando SEGABABA.

Mojo

We're 24-3 and seem to be cruising along. Confidence is also very high. Meanwhile, the trade winds in Denver are blowing stronger and stronger coming from New Jersey. Change is a' comin'.

Prediction

Spurs win by double digits over a distracted Nuggets team.

Key(s) to the Game

Key 1 - The 3-Ball. Both teams like to shoot the 3 - in fact, the Nuggets have shot more than the Spurs this year. We need to chase them off the line and limit them to long jumpers, while also passing the ball to find the open shots against Denver's shaky defense. Hopefully our shooters are on point so we can put away the game early.

Key 2 - Interior Defense/Rebounding. Denver is 2nd in the league in FT/FGA and they shoot the freebies fairly well. The Spurs need to close down the lane and rebound the ball, limiting the And 1s.

Other Reading

Spurs

48 Minutes of Hell

Nuggets

Denver Stiffs (SB Nation)

Following Along

TV

FSN Southwest; NBA League Pass for the haves. For the have nots, read on.

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.