Spurs vs Bucks Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Wednesday, 7:30 CST.


Milwaukee (10-13) at San Antonio (20-3) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2010121524)
Tipoff: 8:30 pm EST Wed Dec 15, 2010
TV: FSWI, FSSW
By Kate Hedlin

The San Antonio Spurs have the NBA’s best record, but they aren’t likely to take their next opponent for granted.

The Spurs look to close out a perfect six-game homestand Wednesday night when they host the Milwaukee Bucks, who shocked another of the league’s top teams in their last game.

San Antonio (20-3) extended its winning streak to five games with a 95-78 victory over Portland on Sunday. It was the fourth straight double-digit win for the Spurs, who held the Trail Blazers to 37.9 percent shooting and outscored them 22-7 at the foul line.

The Spurs’ recent games have been so lopsided that Tim Duncan hadn’t played in the fourth quarter in any of the previous three contests. Duncan had eight points, 13 rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes Sunday. The 34-year-old is averaging a career-low 28.7 minutes.

“As the minutes continue to drop and I’m not in the fourth quarter, I’m going to become unbearable on the bench and pretty much annoy (coach Gregg Popovich) to the point where that he has to put me in,” Duncan said. “That’s my goal.”

With the season starting so well for the Spurs, there’s plenty of light-hearted joking. They are holding opponents to 87 points in the last four games and offensively are getting plenty of contributions. George Hill scored a season-high 22 points Sunday while rookie Gary Neal had 11 in 19 minutes off the bench.

Popovich still sees room for improvement despite his team’s stellar play.

“Right now there are about 10 to 15 teams that are doing a better job defensively than we are,” he said. “So we have to pay attention to it.”

One of the teams that is giving up fewer point than the Spurs is the Bucks (10-13), who will be trying for a season-high fourth straight win Wednesday. Milwaukee is allowing 93.2 points per game this season.

“It’s a big game,” Spurs forward Antonio McDyess said. “You don’t want a letdown. We’re doing pretty well so far in not letting up. … With Milwaukee coming in, we want to put that game away.”

The Bucks ended Dallas’ 12-game winning streak with a 103-99 road victory Monday.

Brandon Jennings had 23 points and 10 assists, helping Milwaukee rally from a 20-point second-quarter deficit. The Bucks had lost five in a row on the road and were 2-8 away from home entering the game.

“We’re starting to play better basketball,” said Andrew Bogut, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds. “We’re starting to buy into what the coaches want us to do, what we need to do to win games. It’s nice to have that feeling after a game like this and win a game on the road.”

The Bucks’ schedule doesn’t get any easier with their next five games against Western Conference opponents, including a visit by Utah on Saturday and a road game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Milwaukee is 3-8 against teams from the West.

Continued strong play from Bogut would certainly help the Bucks. After missing five games with a back injury, he’s averaging 20.8 points, 15.6 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in the last five games.

The Spurs swept the season series against the Bucks last season, and have won six of eight at home.

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

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Brandon Jennings Mil 18.7
Manu Ginobili SA 20.0

Rebounds
Andrew Bogut Mil 12.3
Tim Duncan SA 9.2

Assists
Brandon Jennings Mil 5.5
Tony Parker SA 7.0

[duncan228]

Can Bucks make it a Texas triple? (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/111847754.html)
By Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel

OK, can the Bucks make it a Texas triple?

They beat Houston at home on Friday night, using a 24-point, 22-rebound, 5-block game from Andrew Bogut to get it done.

On Monday in Dallas, the Bucks received a huge bench effort inspired by Ersan Ilyasova, Keyon Dooling and Chris Douglas-Roberts to snap the Mavericks' 12-game winning streak.

And Brandon Jennings dashed and slashed through the Mavericks defense, piling up 23 points and 10 assists and tearing coach Rick Carlisle's zone to shreds. Bogut added his fifth straight double-double (21 points, 14 rebounds) while playing strong interior defense as usual.

Now for maybe the toughest part. The Bucks headed to San Antonio on a charter flight after their 103-99 victory in Dallas. Next up will be the NBA's top team, the 20-3 San Antonio Spurs.

"That's big for us," Jennings said after the Bucks' victory improved their road record to 3-8. "But we've got another tough team, one of the best teams in the NBA, San Antonio. We've got to go in there and take care of business.

"We can't be too happy about this; we've just got to keep it going."

San Antonio is thriving with a faster-paced attack fueled by guards Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, and former Bucks forward Richard Jefferson is contributing with a vastly improved three-point shot. Jefferson, who shot 31.6% from three-point range last season, is hitting at a 46.3% rate (44 of 95) through the first 23 games.

They were shaking their heads in Dallas over Jennings' speed and ability to expose the Mavericks defense.

"He played great," Carlisle said. "He's the quickest guy on the planet. We didn't do a great job of handling him but he made some difficult shots.

"He was very determined; you could see it in his eyes the whole second half. He was attacking and we never really took away his momentum. So as it went along, it just became a more dangerous situation."

Jennings said he was impressed with the way the Bucks rallied from a 20-point first half deficit and didn't become too discouraged after initially being stymied by the Mavericks' 2-3 zone defense.

"I think we showed ourselves what we're capable of and what type of talent we have," Jennings said. "And finally the shots were falling.

"It was looking scary in the first half because the 2-3 was kind of getting to us and we couldn't get any ball movement or make any shots."

Bucks guard John Salmons said he wasn't surprised by the zone defense played by the Mavericks.

"It hurt us a little bit but I think in the second half we just played basketball and didn't give into it," Salmons said. Ers (Ilyasova) hit some good shots, threw some good passes and cut to the basket getting layups.

"This is what we were expecting in the beginning of the season. We finally got that signature road win and signature win, period."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/111847754.html

[Andy25]

I got free tickets to this game! I am looking forward to it! First time lower level at the AT&T center!

[marini martini]

I got free tickets to this game! I am looking forward to it! First time lower level at the AT&T center!

Suhweet!!! Have fun!!!:toast

[janetcn12]

This will be another win for Spurs.

[DMC]

Coming off that win in Dallas, the Bucks might think they have something going. People like Jennings have a history of putting up big points against SA, but that doesn't normally lead to a win because no one else does much.

If this isn't an early blowout, the difference in the game will be the Spurs' composure late when the Bucks try to get overly physical. Look for Manu to win it at the line.

That prediction can be said during any game... just throwing it out there. I see sunlight in your future, and maybe some rain.

[Cessation]

spurs will fuck them up, sons

[LeCrab]

duncan228 where is your husband ace3g

[duncan228]

Wednesday: Bucks (10-12) at Spurs (20-2) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/14/wednesday-bucks-10-12-at-spurs-20-2/)
Jeff McDonald

...Milwaukee, which has won four of its past five, ranks last in NBA in scoring (91.96 ppg) and FG-percentage (41.0 percent). Spurs shooting better from 3-point range (41.4 percent) than Bucks are overall...

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/14/wednesday-bucks-10-12-at-spurs-20-2/

[duncan228]

Point guard Tony Parker, who aggravated a sprained finger on his right (shooting) hand in Sunday’s 95-78 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, tested a splint on the sore middle finger during Monday’s practice session.

Parker does not like playing with the protective device, which affects his feel for the ball. If the swelling and pain have diminished enough over two days off that he feels confident playing without the splint, he is likely to play — and start — against the Bucks.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/14/options-needed-for-spurs%e2%80%99-3-point-gunners/

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


Even at 20-3, pressure on Spurs (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/14/even-at-20-3-pressure-on-spurs/)
Jeff McDonald

...Even in the midst of the best start in club history, with the 20-3 Spurs winning like never before, they have only been able to open a 1 ½-game lead on the Dallas Mavericks.

“It seems like we never pull away from those guys,” McDyess said.


...Even on nights like tonight, when the opponent in town might lack sex appeal on its own, the game still counts.

“It keeps the pressure on us, keeps us hungry,” Spurs guard Gary Neal said. “We have to continue to win games, or we might slip a couple spots.”


...The surging Spurs, meanwhile, have a nationally televised date in Denver to look ahead to Thursday night, not to mention a perfect record (7-0) against the Eastern Conference.

“We don’t want to have a letdown,” McDyess said. “We’ve been doing a pretty good job of that this year, as far as not letting up.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/14/even-at-20-3-pressure-on-spurs/

[duncan228]

Preview: Bucks at Spurs (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/111896129.html)
Charles F. Gardner
Journal Sentinel

...ABOUT THE SPURS: San Antonio is leading the league in three-point accuracy, hitting 41.4% of its attempts. The Spurs have a shot at beating the franchise record of 40.7% set during the 2000-'01 season or even challenging the NBA record of 42.8% set by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996-'97. Matt Bonner ranks fifth in the league while hitting more than half his tries (50.8%). Coach Gregg Popovich has picked up the pace for the Spurs offense, led by guards Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. San Antonio is averaging 106.4 points, fourth in the league, and is shooting 46.9% overall, ranking seventh.

PLAYER TO WATCH
RICHARD JEFFERSON, SPURS

Jefferson struggled greatly last season after being traded to San Antonio after a productive season with the Bucks. But the veteran small forward worked on his game with the always demanding Popovich during the summer, and the results have been dramatic. In 23 games, Jefferson is averaging 14.3 points, shooting 46.3% from three-point range and 49.5% overall. And he's still getting to the free-throw line - his 89 attempts rank second on the team to Ginobili, and Jefferson is converting nearly 78%.


...Injury report: Michael Redd (torn knee ligaments) and Carlos Delfino (concussive symptoms) are out.


...THE SERIES
San Antonio leads, 37-35, including 24-12 at home. The Spurs swept the series last season, posting a 112-98 victory at home and a 112-97 decision at the Bradley Center. The teams will play in Milwaukee on Jan. 12.

...NUMBERS GAME

28.8 Duncan's minutes a game

54 Bench points for the Bucks in their 103-99 win Monday over Dallas

12-2 Spurs' home record

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/111896129.html

[Fpoonsie]

partido de trampa

[Jason R]

Thought it was awesome of the Bucks to get the Mavs off of our backs. Now it's on us to handle our business at home. I don't think it'll be too tough of a game but Andrew Bogut has really been playing fantastic since his return and our front court hasn't peaked yet. That said, even if you give up something in the post, if you stay on them at the perimeter the Bucks shouldn't be too hard to handle. I think they shot something like 70% from three point range against the Mavs and that's a recipe for disaster.

[timtonymanu]

Bogut always gives Duncan trouble so I expect Duncan to be struggling.

Hill played pretty good D on Jennings last year so they should put him on Brandon.

[UnWantedTheory]

I cant wait! I am needing a fix. This might just be a very difficult game for us. Hopefully not.

[sa_butta]

I got free tickets to this game! I am looking forward to it! First time lower level at the AT&T center!
Awesome, be loud, be proud...

[sa_butta]

http://trapblog.org/wp-content/uploads/kid_grater_trap.jpg

[Fireball]

Coming off that win in Dallas, the Bucks might think they have something going. People like Jennings have a history of putting up big points against SA, but that doesn't normally lead to a win because no one else does much.

I remember us playing the Bucks early last season. Jennings just came of his 50 point game as a rookie and Pop showed the NBA how to shut this kid down. George will take care of him :hat
Instead rebounding will be the key of this game ... :flag:

[silverblackfan]

I just hope the team is not looking ahead to tomorrow night. Take care of business and hopefully get some more of that 4th quarter rest for our starters.
Denver will be a tough back-to-back.

[ManuTastic]

I thought I remembered that Bucks always play us tough, and indeed from 2000-2009, SA's record against them is 8-12. We have won the last two straight, however.

All I'm saying is, can't sleep on this team.

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Wed. Dec. 15
Milwaukee @ San Antonio: Scott Foster; Eric Dalen; David Guthrie

[Tito_Trinidad]

Just two scenarios here:
1- Spurs winning by a nasty blowout
2- or Spurs losing by 2

[duncan228]

Andrew Bogut: (Headache) Game-Time Decison (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=rotowire-ndrewoguteadacheamei)

Bogut came down with a migraine Tuesday night and is a game-time decision for Wednesday’s game against the Spurs, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Charles Gardner reports.

Bogut missed a game in the preseason and one in the regular season due to migraines, so this appears to be a recurring problem. We’ll keep an eye out for official word closer to game time, but don’t be surprised if he sits out Wednesday. Drew Gooden would move back into the starting lineup if Bogut can’t play.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=rotowire-ndrewoguteadacheamei

[duncan228]

Tony Parker shooting around w/ some sort of splint or wrap on right middle finger. Unsure if he's going to play w/ it tonight.

[duncan228]

Bonner on Bucks: "Breaking Dallas' streak was definitely mentioned in the scouting report. ... We know we have to bring our A game.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Should be a solid win for the Spurs. They've just been playing too damn good recently with all these blowout games.

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-milwaukee-bucks-san-antonio-spurs)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-milwaukee-bucks-san-antonio-spurs

[duncan228]

Bucks turn to Chris Douglas-Roberts, Ersan Ilyasova for some offense (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/15/bucks-turn-to-chris-douglas-roberts-ersan-ilyasova-for-some-offense/)
Kurt Helin

Last season the Bucks offense was no juggernaut — they finished 23rd in the league in offensive efficiency — but especially after the addition of John Salmons midseason they scored enough points so that, paired with one of the best defenses in the league, they were a threat.

This season, the Bucks defense is even better than last year. But the offense…

Ugh. Milwaukee is 29th in efficiency and it is primarily because they are shooting the ball terribly — they are dead last in the league whether you go with the 41 percent field goal percentage or the 44.5 percent eFG% (accounting for the additional boost of three pointers). Salmons has been off and coach Scott Skiles has been looking for answers.

He may have found one recently and Skiles made it official today (via the Journal Sentinel’s Charles Gardner on twitter (http://twitter.com/cf_gardner#)) that he will keep his smaller lineup going by starting Chris Douglas-Roberts and Ersan Ilyasova. That lineup includes Brandon Jennings, Salmons (who may be snapping out of his slump) and Andrew Bogut. (Salmons and Bogut are game time decisions tonight due to injuries.)

That lineup has shown promise in the last couple games and variations of it have worked well in limited minutes, Zach Lowe of Sports Illustrated’s Point Forward (http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2010/12/15/spotted-glimmer-of-hope-for-bucks-offense/) noticed and researched. Douglas-Roberts has really boosted the Bucks so long as he is not put next to Corey Maggette, at which time the defensive problems far outweigh any boost in offense.

It something to watch, because the Bucks don’t have to be good on offense, they just have to not be bad. And they may be figuring out how to do that.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/15/bucks-turn-to-chris-douglas-roberts-ersan-ilyasova-for-some-offense/