Spurs vs. Grizzlies Previews

[duncan228]

Saturday: Grizzlies (10-19) at Spurs (19-10) (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Saturday_Grizzlies_10-19_at_Spurs_19-10.html)
Express-News

Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: KMYS
Radio: WOAI-AM 1200, KCOR-AM 1350

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - GRIZZLIES

PG - 9 Tony Parker (6-2, 8th yr) - 1 Kyle Lowry (6-0, 3rd yr)
Parker has been called for a technical foul in two of the past three games.

SG - 8 Roger Mason Jr. (6-5, 5th yr) - 32 O.J. Mayo (6-4, 1st yr)
Mayo leads all NBA rookies in scoring, with average of 19.9 points per game.

SF - 4 Michael Finley (6-7, 14th yr) - 22 Rudy Gay (6-8, 3rd yr)
Gay was named last weekend as one of three contestants in All-Star dunk contest.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 00 Darrell Arthur (6-9, 1st yr)
Duncan leads all Western Conference forwards in fan voting for All-Star Game.

C - 15 Matt Bonner (6-10, 5th yr) - 31 Darko Milicic (7-0, 6th yr)
Milicic leads Grizzlies in field goal percentage (53.8).

SPURS RESERVES

7 Fabricio Oberto, F, 6-10, 4th yr
20 Manu Ginobili, G, 6-7, 7th yr
3 George Hill, G, 6-1, 1st yr
12 Bruce Bowen, F, 6-7, 13th 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
35 Anthony Tolliver, F, 6-8, 1st yr
28 Ian Mahinmi, F-C, 6-11, 2nd yr
1 Malik Hairston, G-F, 6-6, 1st yr

GRIZZLIES RESERVES

7 Greg Buckner, G, 6-4, 10th yr
11 Mike Conley, G, 6-1, 2nd yr
33 Marc Gasol, C, 7-1, 1st yr
15 Hamed Haddadi, C, 7-2, 1st yr
55 Marko Jaric, G, 6-7, 7th yr
3 Darius Miles, F, 6-9, 7th yr
13 Quinton Ross, G-F, 6-5, 5th yr
21 Hakim Warrick, F, 6-9, 4th yr

COACHES

Spurs: Gregg Popovich
Grizzlies: Marc Iavaroni

INJURIES

Spurs: Oberto (sore left foot), doubtful

Grizzlies: None

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS

Spurs: Oberto, Mahinmi, Hairston

Grizzlies: Haddadi

NOTABLE

Tonight’s game is the fourth in six days for Spurs, who have won four in a row, and 11 of their last 13. ..... Spurs have beaten Grizzlies twice already this season, most recently on Nov. 28, at AT&T Center. ..... Mayo made 13 of 20 shots and scored 32 points in that game, and Grizzlies shot season-high 54.5 percent.

- Mike Monroe

[Yorae]

I wonder why Darko always have a terrific defensive outing against Duncan???

[duncan228]

Memphis (10-19) at San Antonio (19-10) Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2008122724&prov=ap)
Game info: 8:30 pm EST Sat Dec 27, 2008
TV: FSTN
By Kate Hedlin

The San Antonio Spurs needed a last-second shot to come out on top of against a bitter conference rival. History shows they probably won’t need such heroics against their next opponent.

San Antonio looks to win its fifth straight overall on Saturday night when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies, who will try to snap an eight-game losing streak at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs (19-10) have gone 10-2 since Dec. 4 to move into first place in the Southwest Division after a 2-5 start to the season. They’re also coming off a big 91-90 win over Phoenix on Thursday as Roger Mason hit a 3-pointer at the final buzzer.

Mason hadn’t played in the fourth quarter until coming in with 4.3 seconds left after Grant Hill had given the Suns the lead.

“As a shooter, you’re always prepared,” Mason said. “Coach put me in in that situation, and I knew if I had it, I was going to shoot it.”

Tony Parker scored 27 points and Tim Duncan added 25 and a season-high 17 rebounds. Duncan had just two points in the fourth quarter, but helped hold the Suns to just 14 over the final 12 minutes.

“I thought Timmy down the stretch was absolutely spectacular,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “With five fouls, the defense he played down low when they were going at him - making the stop, getting the rebound and getting it out - I thought he was just magnificent.”

The Spurs’ last-second victory came after they eked a 99-93 win over woeful Minnesota on Tuesday—the Timberwolves’ 13th straight loss.

San Antonio has already beaten Memphis (10-19) twice this season, including a 109-98 home victory on Nov. 28. The Spurs have outscored the Grizzlies by an average of 12.0 points during the home winning streak that began after an 84-82 loss on Feb. 26, 2005.

The Grizzlies are looking to win back-to-back games after snapping a four-game skid with a 108-105 win over Indiana on Friday.

Hakim Warrick scored 21 points and O.J. Mayo added 18 to lead seven players in double figures as the Grizzlies shot 52.6 percent from the field, but went 24-of-40 from the free-throw line.

Mayo, who also had a career-high seven assists, hit two free throws with one second left. The Grizzlies trailed by 17 in the first half.

“That goes to show how much pride we’ve got in our team,” Memphis’ Mike Conley said. “We didn’t want to go out losing this game big-time, and playing the way we did in the first half.”

The Grizzlies had averaged 86.3 points during the losing streak with Mayo accounting for 14.0 points.

Second on the team in scoring at 19.8 points, Mayo has played well against the Spurs, averaging 29.0 points on 56.1 shooting (23-of-41) from the field.

Notes

Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies have lost 13 consecutive games against Dallas, their longing current losing streak against any opponent. ... They're just 1-14 in Dallas since moving from Vancouver, and have averaged just 79 points in two games there this season. ... Dallas native F Darrell Arthur started for Memphis. His physical defense was a key in holding Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki scoreless in the first quarter. ... Just 11 Grizzlies dressed for the game. There are 13 players on the active roster; C Hamed Haddadi is playing in the D-League and F Darius Miles is serving a 10-game NBA suspension.

Spurs:

F-C Tim Duncan had 25 points and a season-high 17 rebounds for his 19th double-double of the season. ... G Manu Ginobili, who averaged 19.5 points last season, has not topped the 20-point mark in eight straight contests. ... San Antonio had lost three straight regular-season meetings with Phoenix before Thursday's win. ... The win over the Suns moved the Spurs to a season-high nine games over .500. ... San Antonio committed just six turnovers.

Injuries

Memphis

D. Miles Suspension
D. Milicic Knuckle

San Antonio

I. Mahinmi Ankle
F. Oberto Foot

Team Stat Leaders

Points

Rudy Gay Mem 20.1
Tony Parker SA 21.6

Rebounds

Marc Gasol Mem 6.7
Tim Duncan SA 10.6

Assists

Kyle Lowry Mem 3.6
Tony Parker SA 6.7

Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10

Memphis 10-19 5th Southwest / 10th West 94.4 99.7 Road 2-11 Won 1 5-5

San Antonio 19-10 1st Southwest / 2nd West 96.6 93.3 Home 11-5 Won 4 8-2

[Sausage]

I'm excited about going to the game tommorow! It will be my first regular season game in a long time. The last 2 seasons, I've been to 6 playoff games, so the intensity won't be as high, but I'm eager to seeing Money Mase and George Hill in person!

[TDMVPDPOY]

lookout for OJ to stat padd the sheet when the spurs are clearly done with them in the 3rd quarter, and everyone will jump on his wagon for ROY cause he posted big numbers....

[duncan228]

Preview: Grizzlies vs. Spurs (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/dec/27/preview-grizzlies-vs-spurs/)
By Marlon W. Morgan

Records: Grizzlies, 10-19; Spurs, 19-10.

Lineups

Grizzlies: Rudy Gay, 6-8, F; Darrell Arthur, 6-9, F; Darko Milicic, 7-0, C; O.J. Mayo, 6-4, G; Kyle Lowry, 6-0, G

Spurs: Tim Duncan, 6-11, F; Michael Finley, 6-7 G; Matt Bonner, 6-10, C; Roger Mason Jr., 6-5, G; Tony Parker, 6-2, G

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

The Grizzlies have won their sixth game this month, which eclipsed their highest win total of any month last season. The Grizzlies are 6-7, besting the five wins they had in November of 2007, January 2008 and March 2008. They have three more games this month. ... The Spurs are fourth in the league in 3-pointers made with 233, and are fifth in 3s attempted with 582. They are third in 3-point field goal percentage at 40 percent.

THE SKINNY

The Spurs are coming off a thrilling Christmas Day victory at Phoenix in which Roger Mason Jr. hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. The win, their fourth straight, moved the Spurs into a first-place tie with Houston in the Southwest Division. The Grizzlies are 0-2 this season against the Spurs, dropping a 94-81 decision at FedExForum Nov. 24, and losing, 109-98, at AT&T Center Nov. 28. The Grizzlies are just 5-21 all-time in San Antonio, where the Spurs have won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams.

[raspsa]

I don't think the Spurs can afford to be complacent. All it takes is for the Spurs to have an off night and for the Grizzlies to click.. best to take Pop's philosophy to heart and always have "appropriate fear" for your opponent. Still, the Spurs are the heavy favorites and they are playing at home. I hope they get a good start and build up enough of a lead so nobody piles up heavy minutes except those who could actually benefit from them.

[Chieflion]

lookout for OJ to stat padd the sheet when the spurs are clearly done with them in the 3rd quarter, and everyone will jump on his wagon for ROY cause he posted big numbers....

The Spurs are known to blow big leads.

[mystargtr34]

Milicic always seems to give Duncan some problems. Might have been Sheed' teaching him. Although he is 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and atheltic.

Or could just be an anomoly.

[Allanon]

I don't think the Spurs can afford to be complacent. All it takes is for the Spurs to have an off night and for the Grizzlies to click.. best to take Pop's philosophy to heart and always have "appropriate fear" for your opponent. Still, the Spurs are the heavy favorites and they are playing at home. I hope they get a good start and build up enough of a lead so nobody piles up heavy minutes except those who could actually benefit from them.

I've been pimping the Grizz as a Playoff bubble team this year. They probably won't make it but they have enough talent to put up a good fight.

Hopefully the Spurs will try and win all 6 of these games coming up before the schedule really starts to turn.

[shelshor]

Referee Assignments
Sat. Dec. 27
Memphis @ San Antonio: T. Brothers, D. Richardson, S. Wall

[duncan228]

Memphis Grizzlies (10-19) at San Antonio Spurs (19-10) (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/scores/live/preview.aspx?id=10738)

(Sports Network) - The San Antonio Spurs shoot for their fifth consecutive victory Saturday when they welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to the Alamo City.

The Spurs are coming off a thriller on Christmas Day when Roger Mason's three- pointer at the buzzer proved to be the difference, as San Antonio edged the Phoenix Suns, 91-90, at US Airways Center.

Trailing by one after a Grant Hill layup with 4.3 seconds to go, San Antonio called a timeout in order to move the ball to half court. Tony Parker received the inbounds pass and immediately faced a double team. He found Mason wide open from three-point range, and Mason drained the shot from the left corner.

Parker scored 27 points and dished out eight assists for the Spurs, who have won 10 of 12 and snapped a three-game skid to the Suns. Tim Duncan tallied 25 points and pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds for San Antonio, while Michael Finley tallied 12 points and Manu Ginobili had 11 in the win.

The Grizzlies will open a short two-game road trip tonight and are 2-11 as the guest in 2008-09. They ended a four-game losing streak with a 108-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday at FedEx Forum, as rookie O.J. Mayo chipped in 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the charge.

Hakim Warrick tallied 21 points off the bench for Memphis. Darko Milicic and Marc Gasol had 14 points apiece in the win. Milicic is expected to miss Saturday's game with a broken knuckle on his right hand. The Grizz will also visit Minnesota on the brief trek.

San Antonio, which is 11-5 at the AT&T Center this season, has already defeated Memphis on two occasions this season and has won three straight overall and 13 of its past 16 games with the Grizzlies.

Memphis has dropped eight in a row at San Antonio.

[duncan228]

Memphis at San Antonio (http://3shadesofblue.com/20081227197/memphis-grizzlies/december-2008/memphis-at-san-antonio-122708.html)
by Joshua Coleman

Memphis finally got off the schneid, breaking a 4 game losing streak with a home win over the Indiana Pacers last night. It could prove to be a costly win though, as Darko Milicic suffered a broken knuckle and could be out for an extended period of time. That's particularly bad news with the Spurs and Suns on the schedule for the next few games, given that his defense on Duncan and Shaq will be sorely missed.

San Antonio is starting to become the force in the West that many people anticipated from this veteran team. However outside of Tim Duncan it hasn't been the older players that have led the revival. Newcomer Roger Mason and rookie George Hill have spear-headed an impressive scoring attack while the bigs down low have kept the defense wall in place. The return of Manu Ginobili has helped spark the bench in the last two games as well. San Antonio was terrible to open the season but now lead the Southwest Division with the 2nd best record in the Western Conference.

Point Guards: Kyle Lowry vs Tony Parker
This is a different matchup than the last game, as Parker came off the bench in his return from injury and Mike Conley was still the starter last month. Unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that the advantage still swings in favor of the veteran Spurs. Mr. Longoria's scoring is up significantly this year (career high 21.6 ppg) and his assist numbers have seen a nice rise as well (career high 6.7 apg). His lightning-quickness has afforded him the ability to take on a bigger scoring burden for the aging Spurs, as evidenced by the fact that he is taking a full 1.6 FGA more per game than Tim Duncan this season.
Advantage: San Antonio

Shooting Guards: O.J. Mayo vs Michael Finley
Michael Finley was the iron man of the NBA when he was in his prime. O.J. Mayo may just be the next one as he is averaging over 37 minutes a night as a rookie. The only other rookie averaging over 30 mpg is former Tiger Derrick Rose. So far Mayo has handled the workload pretty well as he has reached double figures in every game but one, although he just experienced his first mini-slump of the season. Mayo is first among rookies in scoring and among the leaders in rebounds, steals and assists. Finley can still play excellent defense and will punish anyone who fails to guard him on the perimeter. Another pupil vs master match up for Mayo but this time the master is quite old. Mayo is simply playing at a level rarely seen by a rookie. His real test will come when Manu Ginobili comes off the bench.
Advantage: Memphis

Small Forwards: Rudy Gay vs Bruce Bowen
Rudy better double tape his ankles in this game. Bowen was considered the best defender in the league a few years ago but now he gets by on questionable tactics that often leave his opponents on the floor with twisted ankles. Bowen is still dangerous from the corners but otherwise has no offensive game. The problem is that if anyone doubles down on Duncan Bowen will hit that shot. Rudy has struggled with his shot but is starting to get more aggressive finishing at the rim which helps create space. It won't be easy for Rudy to score in this game, especially on San Antonio's home court but he should find a way.
Advantage: Memphis

Power Forwards: Marc Gasol vs Tim Duncan
Darko Milicic has had Timmy on lockdown since joining the Grizzlie last season. With his injury last night, his status is questionable at best for this game, which means that we'll likely see a lot of Marc Gasol against the multiple MVP winner, since they have been starting Matt Bonner in the frontcourt lately. If Gasol can frustrate Duncan the way that he handled Dwight Howard earlier in the season, I expect that we'll see even more incredulous looks from the Big Fundamental than we would normally expect.
Advantage: San Antonio

Centers: Darrell Arthur vs Matt Bonner
Matt Bonner became the starter in December and the fire-haired bomber has taken quite a liking to his new role, hitting 47% of his 3-point attempts this season. DA has been the victim of the inconsistency that plagues most rookies, which has seen his numbers take a swan dive after his remarkable success to start the season. He'll need to keep his eyes on Bonner all night to make sure that he doesn't get too many open looks from the perimeter, or this game will turn ugly in a hurry.
Advantage: San Antonio

Benches: Memphis vs San Antonio
The Grizzlies second unit of Conley/Warrick/Ross/Buckner will need to step it up to keep the dynamic group of Roger Mason, Jr., Manu Ginobili, George Hill and Ime Udoka from holding (or even increasing) a lead when Parker/Duncan/Bowen/Finley take a breather. Gregg Popovich has a history of getting the absolute most out of his players and the bench is no different. Warrick's string of good games will need to continue for the Grizzlies to have a chance at pulling off a rare win against the Spurs
Advantage: San Antonio

[duncan228]

Game blog: Spurs vs. Grizzlies (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/spursworld/)
By Joe Alexander

The Spurs have won 10 of their last 12 games heading into tonight's meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs are coming off a thrilling 91-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Christmas afternoon - nailed down by Roger Mason Jr.'s game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Spurs have been keeping busy - this is their fifth game in seven days. After tonight, they have two days off before play at home again on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Spurs beat the Grizzlies 94-81 on Nov. 24 in Memphis.

The Grizzlies are playing the second game of a back-to-back. They beat the Indiana Pacers 108-105 on Friday night in Memphis. Hakim Warrick came off the bench to score 21 points for the Grizzlies. Read the Grizzlies-Pacers game story (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/dec/26/mayo-scores-18-grizzlies-rally-past-pacers/) in the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

[duncan228]

Match-Up of the Night: Mayo vs. Ginobili (http://48minutesofhell.blogspot.com/2008/12/match-up-of-night-mayo-vs-ginobili_27.html)

[wolf754life]

just dance baby

can't believe my eyes

oh the humanity!

look its sean hannity!

[Rogue]

do not underestimate them, they have beaten the rockets this season. Arroganess is the source of failure.