Spurs vs Heat Previews

[duncan228]

Miami (2-2) at San Antonio (1-3)Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2008110724&prov=ap)
Game info: 8:00 pm EST Fri Nov 7, 2008 TV: ESPN
By Matt Beardmore

They lead the league in steals per game and forcing turnovers. Both of their opponents at home have shot less than 39 percent from the field.

No, it’s not the usually defensive-minded San Antonio Spurs, it’s the Miami Heat.

On Friday, the Heat look for their first road victory of the season and first win in San Antonio in nearly 12 years.

Miami improved to 2-0 at home on Wednesday with a 106-83 victory over Philadelphia. The Heat, who had 12 of their season-high 18 steals in the first half, were led by rookie Mario Chalmers’ franchise-record nine steals.

“Anytime we get a steal and a fast break, it’s going to be an easy layup,” said Chalmers, who leads the NBA with 3.8 steals per game.

Miami (2-2) had a 21-8 advantage in fast-break points, and a 32-10 edge in points off turnovers.

The Heat lead the NBA with 11.8 steals per game, but face a Spurs squad that averages a league-low 10 turnovers.

Dwyane Wade, who’s averaging 25.7 points in seven career games against San Antonio (1-3), scored a season-high 29 points and had seven rebounds and six assists against the 76ers. He also recorded three blocks and five steals as the Heat forced 26 turnovers for the second time in two home games.

Miami has forced its opponents into an NBA-high 22.0 turnovers per game.

“We want to make this a place where teams don’t want to come,” Heat first-year coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And we want to bring the fans back. This place can be an electric building when you win and play hard and compete and show the energy and effort here at home, something clearly we did not have last year.”

Winning consecutive games for the first time this season won’t be easy for the Heat, who are 1-20 all-time at San Antonio. Miami has lost 10 straight there since a 90-79 victory on Dec. 23, 1996, and has not reached 90 points in any of those losses.

San Antonio finally showed some energy on Wednesday after dropping its first three games of the season.

The Spurs’ 129-125 double-overtime victory at Minnesota prevented the franchise’s first 0-4 start in 35 years. Tony Parker scored a career-high 55 points on 22-of-36 from the field with seven rebounds and 10 assists.

“I just wanted to win so bad,” said Parker, whose 20-footer at the buzzer sent the game into double overtime. “I was going to try to do everything I can. It’s just one of those games. Everything you do, it works.”

Parker leads the NBA with 33.3 points per game. His previous high was 38 points at Miami on Jan. 20, 2006 - a 101-94 San Antonio victory.

Tim Duncan had 30 points and 16 rebounds and Roger Mason scored 26 as the Spurs had their most points since a 129-89 victory over Golden State on Dec. 4, 2006.

San Antonio is averaging 101.8 points - up from 95.4 in 2007-08 - but is giving up 106.5 points per game, nearly 16 more than last season when it ranked third in the NBA.

Notes:

Spurs:

G Tony Parker blew away his previous career high of 38 points with the 55-point performance on Wednesday. He also handed out 10 assists to became just the third player along with Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan to score at least 50 points and reach double digits in assists in the same game. ... With the marathon win, the Spurs avoided their first 0-4 start to a season since joining the NBA in 1976. ... San Antonio has won six straight against Minnesota and 11 of the last 12 meetings. ... G Manu Ginobili, who is out until December during to ankle surgery, averaged 30.8 points against the Timberwolves last season.

Heat:

G Mario Chalmers' nine steals on Wednesday against Philadelphia established a franchise record previously held by Tim Hardaway, who had eight on December 20, 1997. ... G Dwyane Wade scored a season-high 29 points and had five steals - one shy of a career-high - in the win. ... C Udonis Haslem is averaging 15.8 points while shooting 70 percent (28-of-40) from the floor in four games since moving into the starting center role. ... Miami's 18 steals Wednesday were the most since the team recorded 18 on January 1, 2003 against the Atlanta Hawks.

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Dwyane Wade Mia 23.5
Tony Parker SA 33.2

Rebounds
Shawn Marion Mia 9.0
Tim Duncan SA 11.8

Assists
Dwyane Wade Mia 7.2
Tony Parker SA 7.2

[ducks]

hill vs chambers

[tp2021]

Chalmers, ducks.

[duncan228]

Heat's Mario Chalmers will face Tony Parker and Chris Paul back-to-back (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2008/11/06/1106_heat.html)
By TOM D'ANGELO

MIAMI — If watching highlights of Tony Parker's 55 points was not enough to get the attention of Heat point guard Mario Chalmers, then seeing Chris Paul's fourth consecutive double-double (11 assists, 22 points) had to do the trick.

Chalmers has the privilege of guarding San Antonio's Parker (the league's leading scorer at 33.3) and New Orleans' Paul (tops in assists at 11.8) the next two nights on the road.

Both had huge games Wednesday evening. Chalmers, who will be playing only the fifth and sixth games of his career, knows what he is up against starting Friday night.

Told that he would be facing perhaps the top two point guards in the league, he replied, "Not maybe - it is the two top point guards."

Chalmers, however, is coming off quite a performance himself. The second-round pick out of Kansas had a Heat-record nine steals Wednesday in a 106-83 victory over Philadelphia. That gave him the league lead at 3.8 steals per game.

Chalmers became the first rookie with at least nine steals in a game since Ron Harper had 10 for Cleveland in March 1987.

"You find a lot of rookies who can play offense, but how many rookies do you find who can hold their own defensively?" Heat forward-center Udonis Haslem said. "He's held his own against some pretty good guards."

Friday night he gets Parker, who in a double-overtime victory against Minnesota on Wednesday had 10 assists as well as his 55 points, meaning he was responsible for 75 of San Antonio's 129 points. He shot 22-of-36 from the field.

Parker, lightning fast at 6-foot-2, can do damage in the lane or with his jumper.

"People say back off him and get under the pick-and-rolls and try to take away from him getting to the basket because of his quickness," Haslem said, "then he pulls up and he knocks down that 20-footer, consistently."

Which is why coach Erik Spoelstra doesn't want Chalmers to take all of the pressure and responsibility for stopping Parker.

"They're going to run a lot of pick-and-rolls," Spoelstra said. "It's not going to be a one-on-one matchup. We'll have to have everybody in the paint ready to come to help."

San Antonio is playing without shooting guard Manu Ginobili, who is recovering from an ankle injury. His absence has made Parker - whose career scoring average is 16.1 - more aggressive on offense for the Spurs, who have started 1-3.

Though just a pup, Chalmers does have some experience against Parker. The Heat and Spurs met in the pre-season; Parker and Chalmers each played at least 27 minutes, with Parker scoring 16 and Chalmers 11.

Chalmers' scouting report: "You have to apply pressure the whole time."

If facing Parker weren't enough to ruin Chalmers' weekend, on Saturday night he will be asked to cover perhaps the only point guard in the league quicker and better than Parker. Paul was voted to the all-NBA first team last season.

"It's a great challenge for a young point guard, something that's going to help him grow up," Heat backcourt mate Dwyane Wade said.

That, and being thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie - a rarity for a point guard.

"I put a lot on his plate," Spoelstra said, "especially to come in and learn the league but also have all these things that I expect him to do."

Spoelstra then rattled off the list: "to get us into offense, get people involved and do it efficiently without making mistakes, balancing when he can get into the paint and make plays himself and also create easy ones for other players."

Is that all? Chalmers' offense has been uneven, scoring 17 points in his debut and then three points in his next game. He is averaging 8.0 points and 6.0 assists.

Still, Haslem is convinced that acquiring Chalmers on draft night (he was taken by Minnesota with the 34th overall pick and traded to Miami for a future pick) was, well, a steal.

"I don't know much about college basketball," Haslem said, "but to me it's hard to believe that he's not the steal of the draft."

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

this one will be on TV here......... then followed by Nuggets-Mavs

[duncan228]

this one will be on TV here......... then followed by Nuggets-Mavs

Same double-header here, on ESPN.

[TDMVPDPOY]

chalmers 8/6 in starters minutes? thats fukn shit

hills ceiling atm should be either => than benos rookie season stats than its all good.

[byrdman31]

2-3 whooo

[bdictjames]

Considering we let the Wolves shot below 45%, I think the Heat's in for a long battle. We're not a turnover prone team either.

[tp2021]

2-3 whooo

One step away from .500, which is one step away from a winning record.

[milkyway21]

Heat first-year coach Erik Spoelstra ..... got one of the a top picks in the last draft but I did not expect Fil-Am Spoelstra to make this team looking like a contender again. Well, if they can make the playoffs again, the merrier, I like Dwayne Wade.

per Spurs nba site: it's LADY'S NIGHT @ AT & T.

I can't be there so I'm just sending my

:gpower :cheer :gpower :cheer :gpower :cheer

Go! Go! Spurs! :flag:

[PURO SAN ANTO 210!]

It's Gonna Be A Good Ass Game. So The Spurs Gotta Win At Home. Can't Give Them Any Chance. Go Spurs Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[duncan228]

Friday: Spurs (1-3) vs. Heat (2-2) (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Friday_Spurs_1-3_vs_Heat_2-2.html)
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: KMYS, ESPN
Radio: WOAI-AM 1200, KCOR-AM 1350

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - HEAT

PG - 9 Tony Parker (6-2, 8th yr) - 6 Mario Chalmers (6-1, 1st yr)
Only three players in NBA history with 55-10 game: Jordan, Robertson and Parker.

SG - 4 Michael Finley (6-7, 14th yr) - 3 Dwyane Wade (6-4, 6th yr)
Wade appears to be healthy after injury-plagued 2007-08 campaign.

SF - 12 Bruce Bowen (6-7, 13th yr) - 7 Shawn Marion (6-7, 10th yr)
Bowen logged season-high 34 minutes vs. Wolves, came up big with late defense.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 30 Michael Beasley (6-9, 1st yr)
Top pick Beasley was 8 years old when Duncan made his NBA debut.

C - 7 Fabricio Oberto (6-10, 3rd yr) - 40 Udonis Haslem (6-8, 6th yr)
Oberto hasn’t started yet, but led Spurs centers with 31 minutes in Minnesota.

SPURS RESERVES

15 Matt Bonner, F, 6-10, 5th yr
33 Desmon Farmer, G, 6-5, 2nd yr
3 George Hill, G, 6-1, 1st yr
8 Roger Mason Jr., G, 6-5, 5th yr
40 Kurt Thomas, C/F, 6-9, 14th yr
5 Ime Udoka, G/F, 6-5, 5th yr
11 Jacque Vaughn, G, 6-1, 12th yr

HEAT RESERVES

50 Joel Anthony, C, 6-9, 2nd yr
5 Marcus Banks, G, 6-2, 6th yr
15 Mark Blount, C/F, 7-0, 9th yr
14 Daequan Cook, G, 6-5, 2nd yr
9 Yakhouba Diawara, F/G, 6-7, 3rd yr
8 Shaun Livingston, G, 6-7, 4th yr
11 Chris Quinn, G, 6-2, 3rd yr

COACHES
Spurs: Gregg Popovich
Heat: Erik Spoelstra

INJURIES

Spurs: Manu Ginobili (left ankle surgery) and Ian Mahinmi (sprained right ankle) are out.

Heat: James Jones (ruptured tendon in right wrist) and Jamaal Magloire (fractured left hand) are out. Marion (broken nose) is probable. Marcus Banks (left hip flexor strain) is questionable.

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS

Spurs: Anthony Tolliver, Ginobili, Mahinmi.

Heat: Dorell Wright, Jones, Magloire.

NOTABLE

Miami is 1-20 all-time in San Antonio, with only victory coming 90-79 in December 1996.... Parker’s 55 points at Minnesota were most for a Spurs player since David Robinson notched 71 vs. Clippers on last day of the 1994 season.

- Jeff McDonald

[milkyway21]

but is giving up 106.5 points per game, nearly 16 more than last season..., whoa :cry

[Bender]

when the hell is tolliver gonna play?

[mrspurs]

Out go the pink caps. Its ladys night.

[Obstructed_View]

when the hell is tolliver gonna play?

I agree, I've been banking the fate of the early season on another shooter that doesn't play defense.

[Sissiborgo]

I think we are talking about a good game tonight....

[duncan228]

Beasley vs. Duncan tonight? (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/Heat/entries/2008/11/07/beasley_vs_dunc.html)
By Chris Perkins

Michael Beasley isn’t afraid of defending Tim Duncan.

“In pre-season I guarded Duncan a little bit,” the heralded rookie said. “It wasn’t too bad. But then again it was pre-season.”

Beasley, a power forward, didn’t defend Philadelphia power forward Elton Brand on Wednesday. In a so-called “cross matchup” Miami used center Udonis Haslem on Brand, and put Beasley on center Samuel Dalembert.

Expect a similar situation tonight when the Heat visits the Spurs. Look for Haslem to defend Duncan and Beasley to defend center Fabricio Oberto. The reason for the cross matchup is defense. Beasley could easily get two quick fouls defending Duncan, or any of the league’s other top power forwards. Miami would then lose his much-needed offensive contribution for a large part of the first half.

Beasley’s big issue has been team defense — specifically the Heat’s rotations — more than 1-on-1.

“I think anybody can play defense 1-on-1,” he said. “You’ve just got to have that type of will.”

However, if called upon Beasley said he’d be happy to take the challenge of defending Duncan.

“The best guys bring out the best in me,” he said.

[tp2021]

Beasley vs. Duncan tonight? (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/Heat/entries/2008/11/07/beasley_vs_dunc.html)
By Chris Perkins

Michael Beasley isn’t afraid of defending Tim Duncan.

“In pre-season I guarded Duncan a little bit,” the heralded rookie said. “It wasn’t too bad. But then again it was pre-season.”

Beasley, a power forward, didn’t defend Philadelphia power forward Elton Brand on Wednesday. In a so-called “cross matchup” Miami used center Udonis Haslem on Brand, and put Beasley on center Samuel Dalembert.

Expect a similar situation tonight when the Heat visits the Spurs. Look for Haslem to defend Duncan and Beasley to defend center Fabricio Oberto. The reason for the cross matchup is defense. Beasley could easily get two quick fouls defending Duncan, or any of the league’s other top power forwards. Miami would then lose his much-needed offensive contribution for a large part of the first half.

Beasley’s big issue has been team defense — specifically the Heat’s rotations — more than 1-on-1.

“I think anybody can play defense 1-on-1,” he said. “You’ve just got to have that type of will.”

However, if called upon Beasley said he’d be happy to take the challenge of defending Duncan.

“The best guys bring out the best in me,” he said.
The Heat play 6'9'' Beasely as a PF, and 6'8'' Haslem as a C?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

hill vs chambers

Hill's got the youth thing going for him, but if Tom Chambers can post Hill up inside I think he might actually stand a chance in this matchup.

[xtremesteven33]

Spurs need to limit turnover and dictate the pace of this game. Grab rebounds and make this a low scoring game.

Finley should see very little time in this game. I want to see alot of Hill,Udoka,Mason and Farmer

[The Franchise]

2-3 whooo

Agreed.

[Brazil]

Points
Dwyane Wade Mia 23.5
Tony Parker SA 33.2
wow quite weird to see Tony with +10 ppg vs. Wade

[Manufan909]

I'll predict 25+ minutes for Fin, no minutes for Farmer, unless Pop takes his head out of his ass. And Ime is shooting better, plus he actually defends.

Also, that retard 3 at the end of double OT mightive gotten through the perceived invincible mancrush.

[duncan228]

Heat pay a visit to San Antonio (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/news.aspx?id=4189571)

(Sports Network) - The San Antonio Spurs finally found the win column thanks to a career night by Tony Parker on Wednesday in Minneapolis and will now attempt to taste victory for the first time in the Alamo City tonight when they host the visiting Miami Heat.

Parker was virtually unstoppable en route to dropping a career-high 55 points, including nine in the second overtime, as the Spurs edged the Timberwolves, 129-125, in double overtime.

Parker connected on 22-of-36 shots from the floor and dished out 10 assists while bringing down seven rebounds for the Spurs, who had lost their opening three games for the first time since an 0-4 start to the 1973-74 campaign.

"It was just one of those games where everything you do works," Parker said. "Everyone knows if I make my jump shot then I can do whatever I want, and tonight was just one of those games where everything was working."

Tim Duncan woke up from a lackluster first half to post 30 points and 16 rebounds, while Roger Mason chipped in 26 points off the bench for the victors.

The Heat arrive in San Antonio for the first of two straight road games after an impressive 106-83 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in South Beach.

The Alamo City has been a house of horrors for Miami and the Heat have lost 10 straight in San Antonio.

Dwyane Wade had a phenomenal all-around performance with 29 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals and three blocks, while rookie Mario Chalmers set a Heat franchise-record with nine steals, and Miami forced 25 turnovers and held the Sixers to 37.5 percent shooting from the field.

Rookie Michael Beasley totaled 17 points and nine rebounds for the Heat and Shawn Marion, who suffered a broken nose during a loss in Charlotte last week, was wearing a protective mask and finished with 12 points and seven boards.

San Antonio swept the home-and-home season series last season and has won five of its past six and 11 of its last 13 games against Miami.

[Allanon]

Chalmers had 9 steals in his last game and the Heat lead the league in steals and forcing turnovers.

The Spurs have to play a controlled game if they want to win this one. Get sloppy and the Heat fastbreaks will make for a very long night.

I was surprised that the Heat are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA right now.