Spurs and Warriors go at it again tonight at 9:30 pm. These two teams have already played out 2/4 of their series with the Spurs winning handily each game. The average margin of victory for the Spurs is 22.5 points. In both games, the Spurs won every quarter. How will this play out this time? More of the same. Although a brutal beat down was given on Saturday, the Spurs will be in fighting form for their annual rodeo trip circuit. This is the time when Pop and his troops soldier on into enemy territory. They will be playing 11 out of the 12 upcoming games away. Expect this year's Spurs team to be tempered by fire. The bench will really have to step up and play like starters because the Spurs are looking at 3 SEGABABAs, 1 FOGAFINI and attached to a FIGASENI. It will be Hell ladies and gents, but it will be a trial that can only bring out what this team really needs to work on: defense.
The boys will be tired, worn out, physically, emotionally, spiritually by the end of this long march. Tapped. Gassed. Yet, they will have to be forced to dig deep, find that small, barely burning ember and bring it forth to shine brightly and blind their opponents with its brilliance. That brilliance being defense. Upon whose shoulders do we find such a task for focusing this group? Why, Pop of course. And who else would you trust to lead your beloved team into the jaws of tyranny? No one. With his floor general Manu, his quick slashing guard, TP, and old faithful, the GOATPUFF, Pop will advance his squad into the teeth of the enemy and place them into a rear-naked choke that leaves the enemy gasping to be released from their defensive stranglehold.
 San Antonio Spurs vs/@ Golden State Warriors Where: Oracle Arena When: 1/24/11. 9:30 pm Spurs Time - Timezone Converter Watch: Fox SW
By the Numbers
Data sources: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lineups
Starters |
Lineups
Starters
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matchup Analysis
|
|
|
|
Point Guard | |
| Shooting Guard | |
|
| Small Forward |
|
|
|
Power Forward | |
|
|
Center | |
|
Bench | |
|
Coach | |
|
Intangibles | |
|
Mojo | |
|
Winner |
Starters
PG: Curry scores a lot of points and he passes the ball. Sorry TP, I would take you in the playoffs anytime but at this point I am going with Curry.
SG: Manu is tired. Not sure if he is rested or not. Last five games he has averaged 14 points and a -.2 turnover rating. He is the coach on the floor and the coach is really tired. Got to go with Monta on this one.
SF: RJ has been in a slump - funny because people are still talking about how well RJ has been playing this season compared to last season. He looks more like RJ 1.0. Dorell has been playing well lately.
PF: the Beast has been nearly averaging a double-double in the past five games.
C: GOATPUFF dominates at will.
Bench
Still the best bench in the League
Coaching
Popovich
Intangibles
Spurs are starting the Rodeo Trip - it's going to be a long one if they don't pull this out
Mojo
It was thriving and then some giant bug squashed it
Prediction
Spurs by 10
Key(s) to the Game
Key 1 -Defense. Keep them off the three point line.
Key 2 - GOATPUFF and the Beast must dominate the paint. Golden State has one of the weakest interior defenses - why not take advantage and slowly wear them down?
Key 3 - Get to the free stripe and make them count. Just like my old high school coach said, "Freethrows win games"
Other Reading
Spurs
OPPONENT
Following Along
Television
Fox SW
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.