Spurs conclude Hornets season series

San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Hornets

Game Venue Here
January 23, 2013, 7:30 PM Spurs Time
TV: KENS HD - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

Ah, the New Orleans Pelicans Hornets. Despite sitting in last place in the Southwest Division, they have earned a 9-5 record since Christmas, and an 8-4 record since Eric Gordon returned to the active lineup, including a 95-88 win over the good guys earlier this month. The Hornets are a team that matches up pretty well with the Silver and Black. They've got long, athletic players like first overall pick Anthony Davis and forward Al-Farouq Aminu, stretch big men in Ryan Anderson and Jason Smith who can take advantage of the Spurs bigs' relative inability to contest jump shots, a good rolling big man in Robin Lopez, who takes advantage of chemistry with a tall, lengthy point guard in Greivis Vasquez. Most of all, they have a good coach who maximizes his talent in Monty Williams (and to no one's surprise, he played for Pop once upon a time) and an elite scorer who can win you games in Gordon. This is why I think this team is going to be back in the playoffs sooner than later.

Nevertheless, the Spurs seem to have found themselves after a slow start to the month of January. Tony Parker is playing very well, and the Spurs' own the league's longest current winning streak at five games, including a game in Atlanta where we may have gotten a glimpse into the post-Big 3 team. Tim Duncan has been continuing his throwback year, with a 24 point, 17 rebound, 5 assist effort in a back-and-forth affair with the 76ers. The Spurs still miss their sixth man Manu Ginobili as he continues his recuperation from a hamstring strain (try saying that five times fast), and may not have the services of young forward Kawhi Leonard as he wounded his knee (on a nail sticking out of the court) during the game against Philadelphia. Nevertheless, the Spurs are playing at home, where they have a league-best 18-2 record, and hopefully should see bounce back performances from everyone on the roster not named Duncan, Parker, Leonard, or Tiago Splitter.

Lineups Starters PG: Tony Parker SG: Danny Green SF: Kawhi Leonard PF: Tim Duncan C: Tiago Splitter Key Bench Players Gary Neal Boris Diaw Stephen Jackson Head Coach Gregg Popovich			Lineups Starters PG: Greivis Vasquez SG: Eric Gordon SF: Al-Farouq Aminu PF: Anthony Davis C: Robin Lopez Key Bench Players Ryan Anderson Jason Smith Roger Mason, Jr. Head Coach Monty Williams

Pelicans Hornets perspective can be found here: At The Hive

Game Prediction: Spurs pull away in the fourth quarter and win by 6.

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As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and 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.