Spurs vs. Bobcats Previews

[duncan228]

Tuesday: Bobcats (28-35) at Spurs (42-20) (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Tuesday_Bobcats_28-35_at_Spurs_42-20.html)
Express-News

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

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - BOBCATS

PG - 9 Tony Parker (6-2, 8th yr) - 20 Raymond Felton (6-1, 4th yr)
Parker has topped 30 points in four of the past eight games.

SG - 8 Roger Mason Jr. (6-5, 5th yr) - 19 Raja Bell (6-5, 9th yr)
Bell ranks 8th in 3-point shooting, one spot behind teammate Boris Diaw.

SF - 4 Michael Finley (6-7, 14th yr) - 3 Gerald Wallace (6-7, 8th yr)
Spurs have won six of past seven games when Finley scores in double digits.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 32 Boris Diaw (6-8, 6th yr)
Duncan’s 15 rebounds vs. Phoenix were his most since Feb. 19.

C - 15 Matt Bonner (6-10, 5th yr) - 50 Emeka Okafor (6-10, 5th yr)
Bonner is 6 of 21 from 3-point range in the month of March.

SPURS RESERVES

12 Bruce Bowen, F, 6-7, 13th yr
1 Malik Hairston, G, 6-6, 1st yr
3 George Hill, G, 6-2, 1st yr
7 Fabricio Oberto, C, 6-10, 4th 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

BOBCATS RESERVES

21 Alexis Ajinça, C, 7-0, 1st yr
14 D.J. Augustin, G, 6-0, 1st yr
7 DeSagana Diop, C, 7-0, 8th yr
5 Juwan Howard, F, 6-9, 15th yr
1 Cartier Martin, F, 6-7, 1st yr
10 Vladimir Radmanovic, F, 6-10, 8th yr
6 Nazr Mohammed, C, 6-10, 11th yr

COACHES

Spurs: Gregg Popovich
Bobcats: Larry Brown

INJURIES

Spurs: Ian Mahinmi (right ankle surgery) and Manu Ginobili (stress reaction, right ankle) are out.

Bobcats: None.

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS

Spurs: Mahinmi, Ginobili, Drew Gooden.

Bobcats: Sean May, Sean Singletary.

NOTABLE

Charlotte enters tonight’s game riding the longest winning streak in the Eastern Conference at six games. ..... Spurs are 8-1 all-time against Bobcats, with the lone loss coming in a 92-85 overtime decision on Nov. 15, 2006 at the AT&T Center. ..... Spurs won the previous meeting in Charlotte this season 86-84, as Diaw missed a game-winning 3-pointer as time ran out.

- Jeff McDonald

[duncan228]

Charlotte (28-35) at San Antonio (42-20) Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2009031024&prov=ap)
Game info: 8:30 pm EDT Tue Mar 10, 2009
TV: FSOK, FSSW
By Brett Huston

The Charlotte Bobcats have won six in a row for the first time in franchise history. They’re hoping their hot streak will ultimately lead to something else they’ve yet to experience - the playoffs.

Extending their run to seven games Tuesday night won’t be easy, as the Bobcats visit a Southwest Division-leading San Antonio Spurs team on the verge of its 12th consecutive postseason appearance.

Charlotte (28-35) lost nine of 12 from Jan. 28-Feb. 24 to fall five games out of the Eastern Conference’s eighth playoff spot. Stunningly, the Bobcats have since become the East’s hottest team, winning six straight for the first time in their five-year existence and moving into a six-team logjam for the conference’s final postseason spot.

“We’re just getting better right now and more consistent,” forward Boris Diaw said after scoring 22 points in a 114-105 victory at New York on Saturday. “We’ve been able to play a lot of good games in a row and we try to keep going.”

Charlotte’s surge has been due in large part to excellent shooting. The Bobcats are averaging 51.3 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from 3-point range during the winning streak.

Charlotte’s starters have played key roles in the recent turnaround. Each is shooting 50 percent from the floor or better in the last six games, and four of the five have topped the team in scoring for at least one game during the streak.

The one who hasn’t - Diaw - has averaged a team-high 18.0 points.

“We are starting to come together and understanding the concepts and the roles on this team … and understanding what the coaches are looking for and what they are expecting from each guy on the team,” forward Gerald Wallace said. “We are starting to play together.”

The Bobcats were a long way from such offensive balance when they hosted the Spurs (42-20) on Jan. 19. Bell had a game-high 25 points, but Charlotte shot 36.3 percent and lost 86-84 after leading by five going into the final quarter.

That was one of 29 wins San Antonio has recorded in the 38 games that Manu Ginobili’s been in the lineup. Ginobili, who missed the first 12 games of the season while recovering from left ankle surgery, has also sat out the past 11 contests after having a stress reaction in his right ankle.

He’s expected to miss at least another week, and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has shown throughout the season that he’s willing to err on the side of caution with Ginobili and fellow veteran stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

Parker shouldered the load in San Antonio’s latest game, scoring a game-high 30 points in a 103-98 home win over Phoenix on Sunday.

Parker has scored 30 or more in four of the Spurs’ last eight games.

“Tony’s been carrying us for a while now,” Popovich said. “Showing confidence in his shot, running the team, coming down to the other end playing great D. He’s been real special.”

Parker was 3-for-11 for 13 points in the Spurs’ January visit to Charlotte, but he did have 10 assists, typically a good sign for Popovich’s team. San Antonio is 16-2 when Parker has at least eight assists.

The Bobcats’ lone victory against the Spurs in nine tries came at San Antonio on Nov. 15, 2006 - a 95-92 overtime win despite Duncan and Parker combining for 49 points.

Notes

Bobcats:

The Bobcats have won a franchise-record six straight games. ... Gerald Wallace led six players in double figures with 23 points. ... Coach Larry Brown, who went 23-59 in one season as Knicks coach in 2005-06, was booed during pregame introductions.

Spurs:

G Manu Ginobili will miss another one to two weeks with a sprained ankle. The former Sixth Man of the Year has sat out the past 11 games. ... The Spurs have won three of the four meetings with Phoenix this season. ... The Spurs held Shaquille O'Neal to 14 points - his lowest total in five games.

Team Stat Leaders

Points

Gerald Wallace Cha 16.2
Tony Parker SA 21.0

Rebounds

Emeka Okafor Cha 10.6
Tim Duncan SA 10.6

Assists

Raymond Felton Cha 6.8
Tony Parker SA 6.7

Team Comparison
Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10

Charlotte 28-35 4th Southeast / 11th East 93.3 94.5 Road 10-20 Won 6 7-3

San Antonio 42-20 1st Southwest / 2nd West 97.5 93.5 Home 22-8 Won 2 7-3

[Mugen]

the ultimate trap game. we better come out ready to play cuz the bobcats are playing really good ball right now.

can't look past them to the lakers and houston.

[Ditty]

yah we need this win and go into thursday and saturday with wins if so spurs would #2 seed without a doubt and putting pressure on the lakers to win some tough games coming up

[Spursmania]

Yep, I hope Spurs stick this win. It seem each time the Lakers lose a game (like tonight), the Spurs follow suit. Let's hope being at home will change that, and we will win our next 3 home games. I predict we see Gooden in the line-up when we play Houston. OR, if Odom is out due to suspension maybe POP will put him in against the Lakers on Thursday.

[raspsa]

I'm keeping an eye on Parker. he bounced back pretty well after being embarassed by Ukic and robinson a while back.. hope he maintains his consistent play of the last several games.

[tp2021]

the ultimate trap game. We better come out ready to play cuz the bobcats are playing really good ball right now.

Can't look past them to the lakers and houston.

+1000

[tomtom]

Yeah bad feeling already about this one

[exstatic]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that sees this as a trap game.

LB has them playing very well. He may be a vain arrogant prick always shopping for his next job, but he's probably in the top 3 Xs and Os basketball minds, EVER.

[Spursfan092120]

http://www.ucmerced.edu/images/home_center/feature_images/baby-bobcat_big.gif

[shelshor]

Referee Assignments
Tue. Mar. 10
Charlotte @ San Antonio: B. Salvatore, B. Forte, J. Phillips

[Dex]

Salvatore :smchode:

http://www.orthanc.co.nz/~bogey/pics/ackbar.jpg

[bigdog]

Actually, I have mixed feelings about this game. I'd like to see the Bobcats make the playoffs, and they are right there behind the 8th seed in the East.

I wouldn't mind if the Spurs took this game off and got ready for Thursday's game against the Lakers.

[duncan228]

Bobcats continue playoff push in San Antonio vs. Spurs (http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/news.aspx?id=4218719)

(Sports Network) - The Charlotte Bobcats are right at the doorstep of a playoff berth thanks to a franchise-record winning streak and will close out a quick two-game road trip Tuesday against the tough San Antonio Spurs.

The Bobcats have won a team-best six straight games and are just a half game off the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They kicked off the short trip with Saturday's 114-105 triumph at New York, as Gerald Wallace scored 23 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead the way.

Boris Diaw scored 22 points and Raymond Felton ended with 19 and 10 assists for Charlotte, which has won four in a row on the road and improved to 10-20 as the visitor this season. Raja Bell finished with 17 points in the win.

San Antonio leads the Southwest Division by 1 1/2 games over Houston and sits second in the Western Conference standings. It is 2-0 so far on a four-game homestand and recorded its third win in four tries with Sunday's 103-98 victory versus the Phoenix Suns.

Tony Parker had a game-high 30 points and handed out nine assists to lead the Spurs, who are 22-8 as the host this season. Tim Duncan added 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Roger Mason netted 18 points in the win. Spurs guard Manu Ginobili missed his 11th straight game with a stress reaction of his distal right fibula and is expected to miss the next two to three weeks.

The Spurs will also host the Los Angeles Lakers on the homestand.

San Antonio handed Charlotte an 86-84 setback on January 19 at Time Warner Cable Arena, and has won four straight and eight of the nine all-time matchups. The Bobcats are 1-3 in the Alamo City.

[Dex]

Actually, I have mixed feelings about this game. I'd like to see the Bobcats make the playoffs, and they are right there behind the 8th seed in the East.

I wouldn't mind if the Spurs took this game off and got ready for Thursday's game against the Lakers.

In December, I'd agree.

Right now, we're on the 20-game stretch with a 1.5-game cushion, and 5 losses could have you scrapin' for the playoffs. Every win matters.

[duncan228]

West brings out the best in Bobcats (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/121/story/587022.html)
By Rick Bonnell

Counterintuitive as this sounds, the Charlotte Bobcats might be better off playing all their games against the Western Conference.

That's the Western Conference that includes the flashy Los Angeles Lakers, reliable San Antonio Spurs and fast-improving Utah Jazz.

It's also the Western Conference that has lost 13 of 24 games to the Bobcats this season.

That isn't just feasting on the dogs at the bottom of the standings. They've beaten five of the nine playoff contenders in the West and would have beaten a sixth had forward Boris Diaw's 3-pointer at the buzzer gone in against the San Antonio Spurs.

They get a rematch with the Spurs tonight in San Antonio, one of six remaining games against the West this season. So what's up with this success against the West?

It's not new

They played better last season against the West (13-17, a .433 winning percentage) than the East (19-33 or .365).

It's important because

The six games left against the West (at San Antonio tonight, Houston Friday, at Minnesota Saturday, Sacramento March 18, Lakers March 31, at Oklahoma City April 10) could go a long way in deciding whether they reach the playoffs. The Timberwolves, Kings and Thunder are among the weakest opponents left on the schedule.

You either sweep those three or knock off a playoff team for each loss against the lottery locks.

It brings out their best … and worst

The victory in Memphis (112-83 on Dec.19) was their most dominant of the season, perhaps ever. They shot a team-record 65.8 percent at the height of the ball movement that has defined their improvement.

One night later in Charlotte, they lost 110-103 to Golden State. Ravaged by injury, the Warriors might have been the NBA's worst team at the time.

Go figure

The stunner in all this has to be what they've done to the Lakers. The Bobcats have won five of the past six against the West's touchstone franchise, in part because they have so frustrated superstar Kobe Bryant. Why so?

“One through five, we match up pretty good with them. And our bench has helped us out,” forward Gerald Wallace said.

And specific to Bryant?

“A lot of our wings attack the rim, and that puts pressure on him, as far as playing defense,” Wallace said. “We have long wings, athletic wings to distract his shot, instead of letting him do whatever he wants to do.

“Throughout the course of the game, I think we wear down on him. Like I tell everybody: The best way to stop a great offensive player is to attack him. You let a guy just play one end for 48 minutes, and he'll score 100 points on you.

“If you make him play both ends of the court, eventually he's going to wear out.”

And the conclusion

“Maybe they're not scouting us as well as the Eastern Conference teams,” Wallace said. “West Coast teams, you only play them twice (a season), so maybe we're not a factor to them. If you play a team four times, obviously you're going to scout them very thoroughly, as opposed to twice.

“I think a lot of the Western Conference teams (look past us) because of our record and the history of us not being a successful franchise so far.”

[AussieFanKurt]

at least fucking joey crawford isnt reffing.

[Bukefal]

Go spurs!!! We're going to win big timeeeeeee:lobt2::flag::flag::flag::flag:

[Mal]

Nice odds for Spurs. I think I take it in my bookie