Game Preview: Spurs host Nuggets in season's toughest stretch

San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
March 27, 2013, 7:30 PM Spurs Time
TV: FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

The San Antonio Spurs continue a very tough stretch of their schedule by facing the Denver Nuggets. After an overtime win against the Utah Jazz, the Spurs faced the Houston Rockets (96-95 loss), and now get the Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers, the defending champion Miami Heat (currently on a 27 game winning streak), the Memphis Grizzlies, with a brief respite facing the Orlando Magic before heading to the Oklahoma City Thunder on the end of a FOGAFINI.

Now on the oppenent: The Nuggets have been the beneficiary of a recent 15 game winning streak, including two wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder to secure the season series, only to see it come to an end against the New Orleans Hornets, the soon-to-be Pelicans, in a game where they rained threes and the Nuggets' lack of outside shooting lost them the game. This is primarily due to starting poing guard Ty Lawson sitting out the past few games with an injured Achilles. Without him, the Nuggets lose their fastest player, their best dribble penetrator, and their best outside shooter. Although Andre Miller is a better floor general and a great coordinator in a half-court set (not to mention his mastery of the lob pass), he nevertheless is 37 years old and doesn't rely on quickness, instead using his court vision and post game to generate points. Thus, the Spurs may find it better to play fast against the team with the most dunks in the association.

Of course, outside shooting will be the key for the Spurs in this game. The Nuggets will always be more athletic than them, and they attack the paint with gusto, using the fast break, second chances, and off-ball cuts to generate close shots. However, in the modern NBA, every team needs an outside shooter to have a chance of contending, and the Spurs have their fair share of shooters. Even better, should Manu Ginobili find his groove back after this game, the Spurs' chances of winning the West will improve.

Lineups Starters PG: Tony Parker SG: Danny Green SF: Kawhi Leonard PF: Tim Duncan C: Tiago Splitter Key Bench Players Manu Ginobili Boris Diaw Stephen Jackson Head Coach Gregg Popovich			Lineups Starters PG: Andre Miller SG: Andre Iguodala SF: Danilo Gallinari PF: Kenneth Faried C: Kosta Koufos Key Bench Players Corey Brewer Wilson Chandler JaVale McGee Head Coach George Karl

Nuggets perspective can be found here: Denver Stiffs

Game Prediction: Spurs by 6.

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.

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