Amuseddaysleeper
12-08-2010, 08:30 PM
http://www.sanantoniodispatch.com/san-antonio-spurs/san-antonio-spurs-news/spurs-preview-the-week-ahead-%E2%80%93-dec-5th-12th/
THE WEEK AHEAD: December 5th-12th
http://www.warriorsgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Golden-State-Warriors-Logo-9.4a.jpg
Golden State Warriors (8-12) @ San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Wednesday, December 8th, 7:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: November 30th, 2010, Spurs won 118-98
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite a solid start to the season the Warriors (3-8 on the road) have struggled as of late, losing 8 out of their last 9. While the team still has the ability to score in bunches thanks to leading scorer Monta Ellis (fourth best PPG in NBA), their defense is what has let them down by allow 109 points a game, near the bottom of the league. The Spurs beat them by 20 during their last meeting in Oakland.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Spurs continue their perch atop the NBA standings with a tidy 17-3, which ties a franchise record after twenty games. Tim Duncan went off for his first triple double in years and should have another strong game when going up against Golden state’s soft frontline. While it’s hard to nitpick about a 20 point victory, the Spurs did allow Golden State to shoot 47% from the field in their last outing while letting Stephen Curry go off for 32 points on a sizzling 13-22 from the floor. Ellis shot 6-16 in that contest, but look for him to have a stronger game this time around. The Warriors will be on the second half of a back to back when they come in to San Antonio, so look for the Spurs to run them out of the building and taking advantage of tired legs. The Spurs lead for first in the NBA is down to one game, and while the standings aren’t decided in December, it would be wise for the Spurs to not drop anymore games to soft teams like they did to the Clippers this past week.
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/321/859/Hawks_Logo_display_image.gif?1280525094
Atlanta Hawks (14-8) @ San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Friday, December 10th, 7:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: March 21st, 2010, Hawks won 119-114 (OT)
SCOUTING REPORT: The Hawks have quietly won 6 out of their last 7, despite losing $123 million dollar man Joe Johnson for the next 4-6 weeks. They topped Orlando and look to keep up their strong play when they visit the Spurs. Atlanta allows just 96 point per game (5th best in the league), but only score 98 PPG, which puts them near the bottom in terms of scoring.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Spurs have a nice home stand and will look to rack up the wins before the second half of December brings on some tough road contests. Without Joe Johnson, the Spurs should have a much easier time slowing down the Hawks (8-3 on the road). It will be imperative that a body be kept on Al Horford and Josh Smith all times. Despite having a slightly undersized frontline, the Hawks bigs are very athletic and have caused the Spurs some problems in the past, especially when it comes to rebounding and second chance buckets. The Hawks move the ball very well, as they are top 5 in assists per game. The Spurs will have to make sure they are crisp in their rotations in order to pull out the victory. It will also be interesting to keep an eye on George Hill who has been playing superb as of late, as the Hawks have no one on their roster who can stop him.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/74/Portland_Trail_Blazers.svg/200px-Portland_Trail_Blazers.svg.png
Portland Trailblazers (9-11) @ San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Sunday, December 12th, 2:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: February 4, 2010, Blazers won 96-93
SCOUTING REPORT: Another year, another season where the Blazers have been ravaged with injuries. The team has lost 6 out of their last 7, amidst reports that they have completely tuned out Coach McMillan. Greg Oden is once again done for the year, and the Blazers haven’t been looking to offer him an extension. Andre Miller’s streak of 632 consecutive games played has come to an end due to suspension after he shoved Blake Griffin to the floor. Brandon Roy is facing knee concerns, which haven’t allowed him to be at 100%.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Despite some nice pick ups in the offseason (notably with Wesley Matthews and resigning Marcus Camby) the Blazers 2010-2011 campaign couldn’t be going any worse. Blame it on being cursed or whatever you want, this team just isn’t the same squad that swept the Spurs in the season series last year. The Spurs still shouldn’t sleep on Portland, however, as they still have a deep roster with some athletes who can do some damage. The player the Spurs originally wanted in the 2009 draft, Nicolas Batum, has been playing very well as has Wesley Matthews. Camby continues to be a force in the middle. The Blazers do have great length, which can bother the Spurs both on offense and defense. The Spurs will need to battle hard for the boards as Camby is one of the league’s best rebounders as well as shot blockers. Despite Roy not being fully healthy, he has still managed 18 ppg. The Blazers have been struggling, but no team plays San Antonio this year without looking at it as a measuring stick. So look for the Blazers to come out ready and aggressive. The Spurs will soon have a target on their own backs if they haven’t already. San Antonio should be able to go 3-0 this week and continue their stride to remain at the top of the league’s elite. Things will start to get much tougher next week, so the Spurs need to grab all the easy wins they can before it’s time to really buckle down and get dirty
THE WEEK AHEAD: December 5th-12th
http://www.warriorsgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Golden-State-Warriors-Logo-9.4a.jpg
Golden State Warriors (8-12) @ San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Wednesday, December 8th, 7:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: November 30th, 2010, Spurs won 118-98
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite a solid start to the season the Warriors (3-8 on the road) have struggled as of late, losing 8 out of their last 9. While the team still has the ability to score in bunches thanks to leading scorer Monta Ellis (fourth best PPG in NBA), their defense is what has let them down by allow 109 points a game, near the bottom of the league. The Spurs beat them by 20 during their last meeting in Oakland.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Spurs continue their perch atop the NBA standings with a tidy 17-3, which ties a franchise record after twenty games. Tim Duncan went off for his first triple double in years and should have another strong game when going up against Golden state’s soft frontline. While it’s hard to nitpick about a 20 point victory, the Spurs did allow Golden State to shoot 47% from the field in their last outing while letting Stephen Curry go off for 32 points on a sizzling 13-22 from the floor. Ellis shot 6-16 in that contest, but look for him to have a stronger game this time around. The Warriors will be on the second half of a back to back when they come in to San Antonio, so look for the Spurs to run them out of the building and taking advantage of tired legs. The Spurs lead for first in the NBA is down to one game, and while the standings aren’t decided in December, it would be wise for the Spurs to not drop anymore games to soft teams like they did to the Clippers this past week.
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/321/859/Hawks_Logo_display_image.gif?1280525094
Atlanta Hawks (14-8) @ San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Friday, December 10th, 7:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: March 21st, 2010, Hawks won 119-114 (OT)
SCOUTING REPORT: The Hawks have quietly won 6 out of their last 7, despite losing $123 million dollar man Joe Johnson for the next 4-6 weeks. They topped Orlando and look to keep up their strong play when they visit the Spurs. Atlanta allows just 96 point per game (5th best in the league), but only score 98 PPG, which puts them near the bottom in terms of scoring.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Spurs have a nice home stand and will look to rack up the wins before the second half of December brings on some tough road contests. Without Joe Johnson, the Spurs should have a much easier time slowing down the Hawks (8-3 on the road). It will be imperative that a body be kept on Al Horford and Josh Smith all times. Despite having a slightly undersized frontline, the Hawks bigs are very athletic and have caused the Spurs some problems in the past, especially when it comes to rebounding and second chance buckets. The Hawks move the ball very well, as they are top 5 in assists per game. The Spurs will have to make sure they are crisp in their rotations in order to pull out the victory. It will also be interesting to keep an eye on George Hill who has been playing superb as of late, as the Hawks have no one on their roster who can stop him.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/74/Portland_Trail_Blazers.svg/200px-Portland_Trail_Blazers.svg.png
Portland Trailblazers (9-11) @ San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Sunday, December 12th, 2:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: February 4, 2010, Blazers won 96-93
SCOUTING REPORT: Another year, another season where the Blazers have been ravaged with injuries. The team has lost 6 out of their last 7, amidst reports that they have completely tuned out Coach McMillan. Greg Oden is once again done for the year, and the Blazers haven’t been looking to offer him an extension. Andre Miller’s streak of 632 consecutive games played has come to an end due to suspension after he shoved Blake Griffin to the floor. Brandon Roy is facing knee concerns, which haven’t allowed him to be at 100%.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Despite some nice pick ups in the offseason (notably with Wesley Matthews and resigning Marcus Camby) the Blazers 2010-2011 campaign couldn’t be going any worse. Blame it on being cursed or whatever you want, this team just isn’t the same squad that swept the Spurs in the season series last year. The Spurs still shouldn’t sleep on Portland, however, as they still have a deep roster with some athletes who can do some damage. The player the Spurs originally wanted in the 2009 draft, Nicolas Batum, has been playing very well as has Wesley Matthews. Camby continues to be a force in the middle. The Blazers do have great length, which can bother the Spurs both on offense and defense. The Spurs will need to battle hard for the boards as Camby is one of the league’s best rebounders as well as shot blockers. Despite Roy not being fully healthy, he has still managed 18 ppg. The Blazers have been struggling, but no team plays San Antonio this year without looking at it as a measuring stick. So look for the Blazers to come out ready and aggressive. The Spurs will soon have a target on their own backs if they haven’t already. San Antonio should be able to go 3-0 this week and continue their stride to remain at the top of the league’s elite. Things will start to get much tougher next week, so the Spurs need to grab all the easy wins they can before it’s time to really buckle down and get dirty