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Game #29 Preview: Spurs @ Magic

Despite the wondermous winning streak, I imagine that Pop is not overly excited about the defense. Although I'm loving the offensive juggernaut, I wouldn't mind seeing a full 48 minutes of defense one of these days. A jaunt to the East Coast isn't conducive to flipping the switch, but playing an offensively-challenged team might be.

Your musical selection for tonight:

Due to the recent turnover in the Magic's roster, the Preview contains mondo uncertainty. At least this time, I have a good reason for my hackishness.

Post game audio (courtesy of JRW):

Pop's post game audio -- Click here

Manu's post game audio -- Click here

Tiago's post game audio -- Click here

Neal's post game audio **FEATURING JRW ON THE LAST QUESTION!!** -- Click here

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San Antonio Spurs @ Orlando Magic
Where: Amway Center
When: 12-23-10, 7:00 p.m. Spurs Time - Timezone Converter
Watch: TNT


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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 110.7
(1st)
100.7
(8th)
Rebound %
26.0
(15th)
74.6
(13th)
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 103.6
(16th)
99.1
(5th)
Rebound %
25.2
(19th)
78.1
(1st)
Field Goal % 46.0
(14th)
46.4
(19th)
3-Point % 35.0
(19th)
33.0
(4th)
Free Throw %
69.5
(29th)
73.9
(5th)
Turnover %
14.8
(26th)
13.9
(13th)
Assist %
52.2
(27th)
57.4
(17th)
Record Wins Losses
Overall 25 3
Conference 17 3
Division 4 2
Home 16 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 12
Conference 12 6
Division 5
3
Home 9
5
Away 7
7
Position Conference Division
Record 6th 3rd
Lineups

Starters
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: J.J. Redick
SF: Jason Richardson
PF: Hedo Turkoglu
C: Dwight Howard

Key Bench Players
Gilbert Arenas
Brandon Bass
Earl Clark

Matchup Analysis

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

Starters

PG: Tony should be able to take advantage of the lack of corporate defensive knowledge by Orlando. Nelson will have to step up and lead his new teammates.

SG: Redick has worked hard to turn himself into an NBA player. And he can be deadly from beyond the arc. But we're talking about Manu, whose productivity has been otherworldly this year.

SF: Richardson still has game - heck, he proved it in the playoffs last year. But he's on a new team in a new system, and we all saw what that did to RJ last year. Jefferson continued his renaissance with another efficient performance last night - more alley oops please!

PF: I don't know what to make of Blair this year - his Jekyll and Hyde act is perplexing. Turkeyglue has not been good since leaving Orlando, but he thrived while there and knows the system. Put this down as a tie because I don't have any idea what to expect from either player.

C: Howard showed us last time that he's significantly upgraded his offensive skill set. But does he now have the requisite shooters surrounding him? Timmeh continues plugging away and will need to carry a bit more of the load tonight to counteract the tired legs of Tony, Manu and RJ.

Bench

Bass has been good this year; Arenas has not since joining the Magic. Bonner, Neal, Quinn and Splitter have been stellar, even without George.

Coaching

Pop is Pop. SVG is not Pop and probably just trying to figure out a rotation.

Intangibles

Orlando is in disarray, losing 4 in a row. San Antonio has discovered two more weapons (Neal and Splitter).

Mojo

We have Manu and BAM.

Prediction

A SEGABABA on the East Coast usually spells doom for the Spurs, but the Magic haven't had time to figure out all of their new pieces.

Key(s) to the Game

Key 1 - Tired Legs. The bench is going to have to play some minutes for Tony, Manu and RJ, who all logged over 35 minutes last night.

Key 2 - Interior Defense. Howard is the known threat. Shutting him down is necessary.

Other Reading

Spurs

48 Minutes of Hell

Nuggets

Orlando Pinstriped Post (SB Nation)

Following Along

TV

TNT

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.