Spurs vs. 76ers Previews

[duncan228]

Philadelphia (5-11) at San Antonio (8-6) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2009112924&prov=ap)
Game info: 7:00 pm EST Sun Nov 29, 2009
TV: CSP, FSSW
By Paul Digiacomo

The injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers are in a horrible slump. Having to visit San Antonio may not be the ideal way for them to get on track.

Philadelphia has one road victory over the Spurs in nearly 23 years, and it will be trying to end a season-high five-game skid when it meets San Antonio on Sunday night.

The Sixers (5-11) opened with three wins in five games before starting this extended slump. They’ve dropped nine of 11, falling 100-86 at home to Atlanta on Friday night for their fifth straight defeat.

Philadelphia hasn’t been playing with a full roster. Elton Brand missed his second consecutive game Friday with a sore right hamstring, guard Lou Williams is out eight weeks after having surgery on his fractured jaw Thursday, and forward Marreese Speights is sidelined until January with a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

“We’re a little banged up, but we have to fight through it,” said forward Jason Smith, who started his second straight game in place of Brand and tied his career high with 14 points. “We’ll get better. We have to work through this stretch.”

Rookie Jrue Holiday started again in place of Williams and was 1 for 8 from the field in 25 minutes.

Four of the Sixers’ opponents during the five-game skid have scored more than 100, and they allowed the Hawks to shoot 51.4 percent from the field - 9 of 18 from 3-point range.

“Our defense is suspect at times,” reserve Jason Kapono said. “There are things we need to tighten up or we’ll continue to get beat.”

Philadelphia has continually been beaten in San Antonio, going 1-21 since the start of the 1986-87 season, with the lone win coming Jan. 3, 2004. The Spurs are 7-2 at home this season, averaging 107.3 points.

San Antonio (8-6) finally won on the road Friday night, beating Houston 92-84 after dropping its first four away from home.

Tim Duncan had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Antonio McDyess added season highs of 15 points and 14 boards, and Tony Parker had 19 points and seven assists as the Spurs extended their win streak to a season-high four.

McDyess, in his first season with San Antonio, was inserted into the starting lineup Nov. 21, the first game during this win streak.

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he said. “It’s not about stats, it’s all about winning. I told coach (Gregg Popovich) I’ll play anywhere he wants me to. All I want to do is win and I’ll do whatever it takes. When you first come to a team you are not as aggressive because you don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”

Manu Ginobili missed his fifth straight game with a strained groin, but Popovich said he could return Sunday. Ginobili is averaging 14.1 points and is second on the team behind Parker with 4.2 assists per game.

Philadelphia came close to earning a win in San Antonio on Jan. 3, but Parker got an offensive rebound with 0.9 seconds left and hit a high-arching 15-footer at the buzzer to give the Spurs a 108-106 win.

*********************

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Andre Iguodala Phi 18.1
Tim Duncan SA 18.2

Rebounds
Andre Iguodala Phi 6.8
Tim Duncan SA 11.2

Assists
Andre Iguodala Phi 6.0
Tony Parker SA 5.3

[romain.star]

was a dyess fan since his days in Denver and i'm glad he's a spur now

awesome guy

[spursfan1000]

Spurs on 4 game win streak, Philly on a slump, Spurs are at home, not too hard to tell who is going to win tommarow night.

[Dice]

I'm hoping Manu plays in this one to get him comfortable for the Boston game. It's gonna suck watching this one and then having to wait till Thursday to see the Spurs first real test.

[raspsa]

Spurs can't get complacent, AI could have a monster game. Its all about developing consistency, building on previous games succeses and lessons, regardless who your opponent is. I'd like to see them compete with energy and intensity. Pop seems to be slowly but surely getting a handle on this team.:flag:

[Xevious]

Spurs on 4 game win streak, Philly on a slump, Spurs are at home, not too hard to tell who is going to win tommarow night.
Can't fall asleep on anybody though, any team can catch fire at any time.

[emanueldavidginobili]

I'm hoping Manu plays in this one to get him comfortable for the Boston game. It's gonna suck watching this one and then having to wait till Thursday to see the Spurs first real test.

everything i wanted to say

[Danny.Zhu]

Hope Manu doesn't lose his rhythm. 76ers played a great game with Celtics.

[duncan228]

Philadelphia 76ers @ San Antonio Spurs (http://www.nba.com/sixers/preview/)

Arena: AT&T Center
Date: Sun, Nov 29

Sixers
Record: 5-11
Road Record: 2-6

Spurs
Record: 8-6
Home Record: 7-1

The Sixers begin a four-game road trip with back-to-back games in Texas against the Spurs and Mavericks. San Antonio won the first meeting against Philly last season on buzzer beating shot by Tony Parker but the Sixers answered back with a 22-point win in the second matchup. Last season, the Spurs ranked second in the league in fewest points allowed but the Sixers averaged nearly 108 points per game against them.

Matchups

Elton Brand
6' 9" | 254 lbs

Tim Duncan
6' 11" | 260 lbs

Brand and Duncan have been two of the league’s premier power forwards over the past decade or so. They entered this season as two of four active players averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds for their careers. Brand has missed the past two games with a sore right hamstring, with Jason Smith starting in his place.

Thaddeus Young
6' 8" | 220 lbs

Richard Jefferson
6' 7" | 225 lbs

Young had a team-high 22 points vs. Atlanta on Friday and is averaging 20.8 points on 55.6% shooting over the past four games. He made all three of his 3-point attempts against the Hawks and is shooting 48.0% from behind-the-arc over the past nine games. A long time member of the Nets, Jefferson is in his first season with the Spurs after spending last season with Milwaukee. Eddie Jordan was an assistant coach with New Jersey during Jefferson’s first two NBA seasons.

Sam Dalembert
6' 11" | 250 lbs

Antonio McDyess
6' 9" | 245 lbs

Dalembert had a season-high 6 blocks against Atlanta on Friday and is averaging 3.67 bpg over the past three games. He has recorded at least two assists in each of the past five games and seven times overall this season after doing so twice in all of 2008-09. McDyess overcame serious injuries earlier in his career and has re-established himself as a productive post player in recent years. He’s in his first season with the Spurs after spending the past five seasons with Detroit.

Jrue Holiday
6' 4" | 180 lbs

Tony Parker
6' 2" | 180 lbs

The 19-year-old Holiday has started the past two games in place of an injured Lou Williams. Holiday has recorded 11 assists over the past two games after having eight his first eight games played. Parker has already missed four games this season, but has been a force when healthy, averaging a career-high 22.0 points per game. He scored a season-high 32 points against Golden State on Wednesday and is averaging 25.5 ppg over the past two games.

Andre Iguodala
6' 6" | 207 lbs

Keith Bogans
6' 5" | 215 lbs

Iguodala has nearly recorded a triple-double in each of the past two games, averaging 20.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists. He’s also found his stroke at the foul line, shooting 88.9% over the past three games after shooting 57.7% the five games prior. The Spurs are Bogans’ fourth different team over the past three seasons. He’s seen his minutes increase substantially in recent games due to an injury to All-Star guard Manu Ginobili, who will miss Sunday’s game as well.

[Penya]

Should be an easy W... And Manu getting 20-25 mins to take some rhythm :toast

[Bender]

the sixers aren't gonna get A.I. again are they?

[duncan228]

the sixers aren't gonna get A.I. again are they?

They're considering it.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140671

[DynastySpurs210]

This game would be more interesting if A.I signed with the 76ers today and played against the Spurs tomorrow :P

[Bender]

They're considering it.
oops didn't see it, don't go to the NBA forum that much.

[duncan228]

oops didn't see it, don't go to the NBA forum that much.

Happy to help. :)

[bdictjames]

Ridiculous how Iguodala is leading their team in points, rebounds and assists.

[SKINNYPIMP210]

Ridiculous how Iguodala is leading their team in points, rebounds and assists.

True Dat! That dude is freaking awesome though!

[duncan228]

Sunday: 76ers (5-11) at Spurs (8-6) (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Sunday_76ers_5-11_at_Spurs_8-6.html)

Time: 6 p.m.
TV: FSNSW
Radio: WOAI-AM 1200, KCOR-AM 1350

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - 76ERS

PG - 9 Tony Parker (6-2, 9th yr) - 11 Jrue Holiday (6-4, 1st yr)
Holiday, NBA’s youngest player, has been solid in relief of Lou Williams.

SG - 10 Keith Bogans (6-5, 7th yr) - 9 Andre Iguodala (6-6, 6th yr)
One of the league’s toughest covers, Iguodala a challenge for Bogans.

SF - 24 Richard Jefferson (6-7, 9th yr) - 21 Thaddeus Young (6-8, 3rd yr)
Jefferson shooting just 11 of 34 during Spurs’ winning streak.

PG - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 13th yr) - 42 Elton Brand (6-9, 11th yr)
Brand expected to be a game-time decision with sore hamstring.

C - 34 Antonio McDyess (6-10, 14th yr) - 1 S. Dalembert (6-11, 8th yr)
McDyess coming off best game with Spurs: 15 pts., 14 rebs. vs. Houston.

SPURS RESERVES

15 Matt Bonner, C/F, 6-10, 6th yr
45 DeJuan Blair, F, 6-7, 1st yr
4 Michael Finley, G/F, 6-7, 15th yr
20 Manu Ginobili, G, 6-6, 8th yr
1 Malik Hairston, G/F, 6-6, 2nd yr
3 George Hill, G, 6-2, 2nd yr
42 Theo Ratliff, C, 6-10, 15th yr

76ERS RESERVES

7 Primoz Brezec, C, 7-1, 8th yr
25 Rodney Carney, G/F, 6-7, 4th yr
33 Willie Green, G, 6-3, 7th yr
12 Royal Ivey, G, 6-4, 6th yr
72 Jason Kapono, F, 6-8, 7th yr
14 Jason Smith, F, 7-0, 2nd yr

COACHES
Spurs: Gregg Popovich
76ers: Eddie Jordan

INJURIES

Spurs: Ginobili (strained left groin) is day-to-day. Roger Mason Jr. (strained left hamstring) is doubtful.

76ers: Brand (sore right hamstring) is day-to-day. Marreese Speights (MCL sprain, left knee) and Williams (fractured jaw bone) are out.

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS

Spurs: Ian Mahinmi, Marcus Haislip, Mason.
76ers: Speights, Williams.

NOTABLE

This is a matchup of teams riding opposite streaks. Spurs have won a season-high four in a row, while 76ers have lost five straight. ... Duncan needs six points to pass ex-Spurs forward Terry Cummings for 39th on NBA’s all-time scoring chart. ... Spurs’ Ratliff spent five seasons with 76ers from 1997-2001 and in 2008-09.

— Jeff McDonald

[NRHector]

I got an autograph from Sam Dalembert today at work

[shelshor]

Referee Assignments
Sun. Nov 29
Philadelphia @ San Antonio: Ken Mauer; Matt Boland; Sean Wright

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

About to drive to San Antonio to make it to this game. Hopefully it's a great one.

[ffadicted]

Jefferson shooting just 11 of 34 during Spurs’ winning streak.


:depressed:depressed:depressed

We gotta see more from RJ eventually. I know he's still averaging solid points for a new player, but he seems so lost out on the court. Hoping Manu plays tonight to replace money-mace, sucks cuz he was just starting to get hot again

Should be a solid win for the spurs, setting us up for a great finish to november :toast

[emanueldavidginobili]

anyone know if manu is going to give it a go?

[Spursfan092120]

Win it for this guy

http://starclay.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/david.robinson.jpg

[duncan228]

Philadelphia 76ers (5-11) at San Antonio Spurs (8-6) (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/scores/live/preview.aspx?id=12689)

The San Antonio Spurs seem to have hit their stride and will open a three-game homestand tonight versus the Philadelphia 76ers at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs will also host the Celtics and Nuggets on the residency and own a 7-2 record in the Alamo City this season. They posted their fourth straight win overall and first on the road (1-4) with Friday's 92-84 triumph over the Houston Rockets, as Tim Duncan led the way with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Tony Parker added 19 points and seven assists for the Spurs, while Antonio McDyess scored a season-high 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

"We were thrilled to get out of here with a win, we hung in, we played pretty well in the third quarter, got the lead, Mason did a good job getting back in the game and held on and got a good win on the road," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

In injury news for San Antonio, guard Manu Ginobili is questionable for Sunday's game with a strained left groin. Ginobili has missed the last five games and is averaging 14.1 points and 4.2 assists per game.

Philadelphia will commence a four-game road trip Sunday against San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Charlotte, and is 2-6 away from the City of Brotherly Love this season. The 76ers have been struggling all season and suffered their fifth straight setback with Friday's 100-86 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks at the Wachovia Center.

Thaddeus Young led the Sixers with 22 points, while Andre Iguodala tallied 16 points, nine boards and eight assists in defeat. Philadelphia, which will be without guard Lou Williams for about eight weeks due to a broken jaw, received 14 points from Jason Smith and 13 off the bench out of Rodney Carney.

"That team is pretty big, pretty fast and pretty talented. We left so many plays out there in the open floor. We missed shots, and we lost control of the game," said 76ers head coach Eddie Jordan.

Sixers forward Elton Brand (sore hamstring) is listed as doubtful against the Spurs. Brand hasn't played in two straight games and is posting 11.5 points and 6.5 boards per contest this season.

Philly and San Antonio split a pair of matchups last season, while the Sixers have lost five straight and 21 of their last 22 as the guest in this series.

[Dex]

:elephant This is the dance I do when I get to watch the Spurs game.