Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings

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San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

March 5, 2016, 7:30 p.m. Spurs Time

TV: FSSW Radio: WOAI 1200AM

It's usually the fidgety #Kangz -- and not the Spurs -- that are doubling down on personnel moves at this time of the year. That wasn't the case this week, as PATFO welcomed two veterans from Minnesota (and members of the 50-point club!) in the hopes of bolstering the squad for what will hopefully be another long postseason push.

There are just 21 games left in the regular season, but Andre Miller and Kevin Martin are both high-IQ guys that have adapted to new teams in the past. Their additions should work to make a 52-9 team even better, and it'll be exciting to watch that assimilation take place.

It's not just the new faces that have brought excitement this week, as Manu Ginobili is also expected to suit up for the first time since the low blow he suffered over a month ago. Ginobili's energy was missed, but I was happy with what I saw from Kyle Anderson as a secondary creator/go-to guy -- especially when exploiting mismatches. Baby steps, right?

Not much has changed on the chaotic Sacramento front since these teams last met on the Rodeo Road Trip (a game the Spurs won by 16). Rajon Rondo is still straddling the line between successful reclamation project and hide-your-kids entertainment; DeMarcus Cousins almost hit a guy, and Kings fans still have questions about what's going on.

One interesting note has been the presence of former Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau with the team. At the request of George Karl, Thibs was brought on in a short-term consultative capacity during Sacramento's four-game road trip, looking to impart some defensive wisdom on the woeful Kings. Perhaps more interesting: Thibodeau's next stop is Golden State.

Former Spur Marco Belinelli's had a rough year, but his shot has been on in the past few Kings games, with his 16 points contributing to a win in Dallas on Thursday night. The win snapped a 22-game losing streak for Sacramento playing in Dallas that went back to the George W.'s first presidential term.

The Spurs have a couple of streaks they're looking to keep intact, with the current win streak at seven and their homecourt tally now at 29. They had an impressive finish to their win against perennial bugaboo New Orleans, which followed strong wins against Detroit and Houston. They get another talented big man tonight, but it shouldn't be enough to dampen the night for Spurs fans at the T.

Matchup to watch: LaMarcus Aldridge has been solid against Cousins this year, and it might make sense for Karl to attempt a small-ball starting five that might pull LaMarcus away from the basket and leave Timmy to battle Boogie. Sure, they'll get punished under their own basket if Pop decides to keep Duncan in, but it's a gambit that might pay off in a game they're expected to lose anyway.

Game prediction: Spurs by 13.

For the Kings fans' perspective, visit Sactown Royalty.

As always Tony must dominate Fisher.