So, that game last night was an unmitigated disaster, wasn't it? Well, Spurs fans, it gets worse: not only did we lose a game in embarrasing fashion despite long minutes from our starters last night, but our SEGABABA is against the best team in the Eastern Conference... in their house. Yeah, the chances of the Spurs going on the first losing streak of the season look to be pretty high right now.
The Spurs are also 2-3 in their last 5 road games, winning only a controvesial last-second victory at Denver and a Dirk-less contest in Dallas. The rodeo road trip is starting to loom on the horizon, and we suck on the road. Not. Good.
Hit the jump if you dare, and check out PtR user Artis Gilmore's breakdown as well.
Angry music:
For those of you who aren't quite as angry as me:
WARNING: Extreme over-negativity ahead. Proceed with caution.
You all knew this kind of preview was coming. Y'all might be mad at me for this, but it had to be done. Just remember, this is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you.
 San Antonio Spurs @ Boston Celtics Where: TD Garden When: 01/05/2011, 6:30 PM Spurs Time - Timezone Converter Watch: FSSW
By the Numbers
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Lineups
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Lineups
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Matchup Analysis
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Starters
PG: Tony is one of two Spurs who didn't suck last night, therefore I'll call it a draw between him and the most dynamic passer in the league. Rondo, btw, is freaking awesome. If the comparisons Ricky Rubio has drawn to him are correct, Rubio is going to be a major star when he finally makes it to the NBA.
SG: Jesus Shuttlesworth is playing some really good ball this year, with career highs in both field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. When one of the league's best shooters over the last decade is shooting his best ever, that's pretty damn good. Meanwhile, a certain Argentine had the worst +/- on the team last night for the Spurs.
SF: Pierce is the heart and soul of this C's team, and has been for the last decade. Meanwhile, RJ 2.0 seems to have stepped aside in favor of 2009-10 RJ. Bad rage! No soup for you!
PF: Blair, like Tony, didn't suck last night. Big Baby has struggled a bit since he was thrust into the starting lineup, but having Rondo back to find him in the right spots should help him immensely.
C: Look, Timmy, I wanted to give you the Spur, but that was one heck of an egg you laid last night. The defense lived and dies with ya, Timmy. Shaq, meanwhile, is putting up some staggering per-minute totals. The old guy's still got it.
Bench
Boston's got a lot of depth, and a commitment to playing defense from the first guy all the way to the 12th. Every Spurs bench player sucked last night except Hill(he still had 3 TO's).
Coaching
If Pop's constant harping on the defense doesn't prevent the team from allowing 128 in a game, he should probably try a different approach.
Intangibles
Defense - Boston plays it, the Spurs don't.
Mojo
See last night's beatdown.
Prediction
This is not going to be pretty, but maybe it'll be the wakeup call the Spurs need. Celts win a laugher.
Key to the Game
Don't suck at defense - Yeah, that's basically it. With Boston, you can't "cut off the head" of the snake, since they're more like a hydra, so we need good defense as a team to have any chance. Now, why on earth would I not be confident in that happening tonight, I wonder?
Other Reading
Spurs
OPPONENT
CelticsBlog(SB Nation) [fair warning: CB is known for their quick ban-trigger. Don't visit if you've got nothing nice to say]
Following Along
TV
Fox Sports Southwest
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.