Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns

San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns

US Airways Center, Phonix, Arizona
February 28, 2015, 8:00 PM Spurs Time
TV: KENS5, NBATV - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI

Tonight the San Antonio Spurs will play in the final game of their annual Rodeo Road Trip. This trip has been a bit of a disappointment; this is the first Rodeo Road Trip ever where San Antonio is guaranteed to finish below .500 for it. Yet, things are still somewhat positive. Following four straight losses, the silver and black finally gained some momentum last night in a sloppy win over the Sacramento Kings. Now, in the second half of a back-to-back, they'll try to keep that good fortune going versus the Phoenix Suns.

This is not the same Suns team that the Spurs have faced twice already this year. At the deadline, Phoenix made some major changes at the trade deadline, dealing away two parts of their three-headed point guard attack in Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas. The only one of the original three that remains is Eric Bledsoe, who has been solid since the deadline. He's improved from one game to the next in the five matchups since the deals, and looked truly spectacular in the team's last game, a win versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Bledsoe had 28 points on 11-16 from the field, 13 boards, 9 assists, and even recorded 4 blocks. Bledsoe is an incredibly athletic, very dynamic guard. He thrives in Phoenix's pick-and-roll attack, and with more freedom on the floor now that there is no more logjam at point guard, he'll be sure to be more aggressive and sure of himself on the floor.

For the Spurs, the player to watch is Tony Parker. By now you know that Parker has struggled in what time he's been able to stay on the floor this year. He's admitted to being banged up over the course of the road trip, and has had a shooting slump that seems to be more of a mental issue. Whether his troubles lie in his body or his mind, it is clear that he's having his worse year in the league since he was 21 years old, and just hasn't looked like the Tony Parker that San Antonio needs to be a legitimate contender in the West.

Last night, however, Parker showed flashes of his former self. In the fourth quarter against the Kings, with the game waiting to be taken by either team, it was the 32 year old point guard that snatched it away. In that final period, Parker scored 11 of his 19 points on the night. Parker was able to get himself going on a couple hard drives to the basket. From there, he was able to dictate the rest off the game, knocking down jumpers, getting to the line, and getting the ball to teammates when the defense collapsed down on him. You could see the frustration and urgency on Parker's face the entire time. He was aching for a good performance, and dug one out of his heart. Maybe that gritty showing is what he needed to jump-start his season.

	@
Phoenix Suns (22-16)		San Antonio Spurs (21-15)
February 28, 2015
US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
8:00 PM CDT
TV: KENS 5, NBATV Radio: WOAI 1200AM
Starters
Eric Bledsoe	PG	Tony Parker
Brandon Knight	SG	Danny Green
P.J. Tucker	SF	Kawhi Leonard
Markieff Morris	PF	Tim Duncan
Alex Len	C	Tiago Splitter

For the Suns' perspective, please visit Bright Side of the Sun.

Game prediction: Spurs by 4.

As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and you can get your San Antonio Spurs tickets from Daniel Farias with Spurs Sports & Entertainment: Tel: 210-444-5607 | dfarias@attcenter.com