timvp
01-18-2010, 12:21 PM
To avoid losing three games in a row, the Spurs need to beat the Hornets this afternoon. New Orleans is currently on the outside of the playoffs looking in, however they matchup well against the Spurs and always seem to raise their level of play against the silver and black. This is going to be another difficult contest.
Keys to a Spurs Victory
1. Turn Chris Paul into a scorer. While he's obviously a great player, Paul has historically hurt the Spurs a lot more when he's passing rather than scoring. If he scores 35 but doesn't get his teammates going, the Spurs will gladly take that. However, be warned that he's a much better three-point shooter this year. The Spurs can't give him too many open looks beyond the arc.
2. Limit the turnover disparity. The Hornets limit their turnovers and force a good amount of turnovers. The Spurs, conversely, turn the ball over but don't force many turnovers on the other end. That is not a healthy recipe. The Spurs can't afford to lose too many possessions in this game.
3. Wake up Richard Jefferson. When the Spurs traded for Jefferson, this is exactly the type of game they envisioned him taking a lead role. With the Big 3 road weary and the team playing its fifth game in six and a half nights, Jefferson needs to step up and give the team a good effort. If he has another stinker like he did against the Grizzlies, San Antonio is doomed.
Matchup to Watch
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3527.jpg vs. http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3930.jpg
Tony Parker has been horrid the last two games. Today he squares off against the best point guard in the NBA. If Parker doesn't have more bounce to his step, Paul may eat him alive. If, by some miracle, Parker can play Paul to a standstill, the Spurs have a good chances of pulling the win.
Inside the Numbers
Richard Jefferson currently has a PER of 13.36. With a PER of 15 being average, Jefferson is statistically a below average player so far. And things are getting worse instead of better. Compared to November, games in the months of December and January have seen him shoot less, score less, rebound less, assist less and get to the line less. The only thing he's doing "better" is attempting jumpers from beyond the three-point stripe.
Did You Know?
Speaking of PER, Chris Paul had a PER of 30.04 last season -- the highest PER in the history of the NBA for a point guard. The only players to register a higher PER in league history are Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Tracy McGrady.
Keys to a Spurs Victory
1. Turn Chris Paul into a scorer. While he's obviously a great player, Paul has historically hurt the Spurs a lot more when he's passing rather than scoring. If he scores 35 but doesn't get his teammates going, the Spurs will gladly take that. However, be warned that he's a much better three-point shooter this year. The Spurs can't give him too many open looks beyond the arc.
2. Limit the turnover disparity. The Hornets limit their turnovers and force a good amount of turnovers. The Spurs, conversely, turn the ball over but don't force many turnovers on the other end. That is not a healthy recipe. The Spurs can't afford to lose too many possessions in this game.
3. Wake up Richard Jefferson. When the Spurs traded for Jefferson, this is exactly the type of game they envisioned him taking a lead role. With the Big 3 road weary and the team playing its fifth game in six and a half nights, Jefferson needs to step up and give the team a good effort. If he has another stinker like he did against the Grizzlies, San Antonio is doomed.
Matchup to Watch
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3527.jpg vs. http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/.e1d/img/4.0/global/basketball/nba/players/3930.jpg
Tony Parker has been horrid the last two games. Today he squares off against the best point guard in the NBA. If Parker doesn't have more bounce to his step, Paul may eat him alive. If, by some miracle, Parker can play Paul to a standstill, the Spurs have a good chances of pulling the win.
Inside the Numbers
Richard Jefferson currently has a PER of 13.36. With a PER of 15 being average, Jefferson is statistically a below average player so far. And things are getting worse instead of better. Compared to November, games in the months of December and January have seen him shoot less, score less, rebound less, assist less and get to the line less. The only thing he's doing "better" is attempting jumpers from beyond the three-point stripe.
Did You Know?
Speaking of PER, Chris Paul had a PER of 30.04 last season -- the highest PER in the history of the NBA for a point guard. The only players to register a higher PER in league history are Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Tracy McGrady.