Spurs at Nuggets Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Thursday, 9:30 CST on TNT.


Thursday: Spurs (21-3) at Nuggets (15-9) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/15/thursday-spurs-21-3-at-nuggets-15-9/)
Jeff McDonald

... Nuggets and Spurs split four-game series last season, with road team winning each meeting. … Denver has won nine of past 10 with Anthony in the lineup. …

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/15/thursday-spurs-21-3-at-nuggets-15-9/

[Ditty]

spurs have always played well in Denver...but the nuggets home record worries me more than a back to back our players really didn't look tired tonight..hopefulyy the whole carmelo distraction will get to them

[Rather.Unique]

I have a friend who is a die hard Nuggets fan and i remember all last year he was talking so much shit in front of everyone b/c we were struggling. for some reason we would always end up watching a Spurs game against a .500 team and lose, annoyed the hell out of me. I see him few times a week now and he can't even look at me straight b/c the tables have obviously turned. but unlike him, i don't talk trash or criticize the Nuggets/brag about our team and record. one thing that i've learned over the years being a Spurs fan is to be a class act all the way. I'm afraid that won't be the case tomorrow, I'm talking so much shit while the Spurs blowout the Nuggets 118-92.

[TampaDude]

Spurs 108
Nugz 100

[NASpurs]

Hopefully the Spurs don't come out flat like the Clippers game earlier this month after a b2b. This seems like a good game to run and score 110+ but it is in Denver after all. Pop managed to not overplay the starters tonight so hopefully it pays dividends tomorrow night.

But saying all that, I can't get that Clipper game out of my head. The Spurs blew out the Warriors and laid an egg in Los Angeles. I know the Nuggets aren't the Clippers (meaning the Spurs won't look down on their opponent tomorrow) so a let down seemingly won't happen but who knows. I just hope the excitement from tonight's game and the winning buzzer shot will carry over.

[ezau]

I will not be surprised if we lose. Then again, we're still on top of the West if that happens.

[JR3]

I know its back to back, but I say we win this one. The nuggets are just too disfunctional to beat us.

[Spursfanfromafar]

I expect TP to have a big game with Chauncey Billups out .. And so too, George Hill.

[JR3]

I have a friend who is a die hard Nuggets fan and i remember all last year he was talking so much shit in front of everyone b/c we were struggling. for some reason we would always end up watching a Spurs game against a .500 team and lose, annoyed the hell out of me. I see him few times a week now and he can't even look at me straight b/c the tables have obviously turned. but unlike him, i don't talk trash or criticize the Nuggets/brag about our team and record. one thing that i've learned over the years being a Spurs fan is to be a class act all the way. I'm afraid that won't be the case tomorrow, I'm talking so much shit while the Spurs blowout the Nuggets 118-92.

agree... its our culture.. probably has to do with Robinson. And the fact that we have 4 championships. I mean, how grouchy can you be when you have 4 and a model franchise in a small market? I have to deal with all these bitter Jazz fans in utah. So annoying. Go Spurs Go!:lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:

[Capt Bringdown]

Back to back, after a tough win, against a younger opponent - sounds like our 4th loss of the season has arrived.
Nuggets by 15 to 20 points.

[duncan228]

San Antonio (21-3) at Denver (15-9) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2010121607)
Tipoff: 10:30 pm EST Thu Dec 16, 2010
TV: TNT
By Matt Beardmore

Carmelo Anthony has worn just one team’s uniform since being drafted third overall in 2003. At least for the time being, the three-time All-Star forward continues to don the powder blue and white of the Denver Nuggets.

With trade rumors continuing to swirl, Anthony and the Nuggets will try ignore the distractions Thursday as they go for their 11th straight victory at Pepsi Center in a matchup with the NBA-best San Antonio Spurs.

Since leading Syracuse to a national championship in his one season on campus, Anthony has been the cornerstone of a Nuggets franchise that has advanced to the postseason seven straight years after missing the playoffs in the eight seasons prior to his arrival.

Saying he wanted to keep his options open, Anthony declined a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nuggets in June. It has since been rumored that the Brooklyn-born free agent-to-be wants to go to either the Knicks or Nets.

While Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri said following Tuesday’s 111-94 victory over Orlando that no trades were imminent and Anthony would know if he was getting dealt, rumors continue that Anthony will not be a Nugget when the February trade deadline passes.

Anthony denied a report last week that he had told Denver he would only accept a trade to the Knicks. More speculation surfaced Tuesday after the Nets acquired two more first-round picks in a three-team swap that could be used in a package deal for the Nuggets superstar.

“I’ve got a game here Thursday night against San Antonio and that’s what I’m focused on,” Anthony said Tuesday after scoring 35 points with 11 rebounds. “All that other stuff, I’m not even paying attention to right now.”

Anthony, whose career scoring average against San Antonio (20.2) is his lowest against any team in the Western Conference, can’t afford to get caught up in the rumors given the way the Spurs are playing.

San Antonio (21-3) makes its first of two visits to Denver this season after capping off a 6-0 homestand Wednesday with a 92-90 victory over Milwaukee.

Manu Ginobili hit the game-winning fallaway jumper over Luc Mbah a Moute as time expired.

“It was a tough shot,” Ginobili told NBA.com after scoring a team-high 26 points. “He guarded me really well. … I got lucky. I made the shot. We all celebrated.”

The Spurs, who will return home for three games following Thursday’s matchup, are 8-1 on the road, falling 90-85 to the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game away from AT&T Center on Dec. 1.

Denver has a league-best 45 home wins since the beginning of 2009-10 and is on the verge of its first 11-game winning streak at home since a 12-0 stretch March 16-April 19, 2005. However, San Antonio went 2-0 when visiting the Nuggets last season, winning by 19 points each time.

The Spurs won the most recent of those meetings 104-85 on April 10 behind Tim Duncan’s 18 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony was ejected in the fourth quarter for arguing with officials.

Ty Lawson will likely start at point guard for the Nuggets in place of Chauncey Billups, who missed Tuesday’s victory with a wrist injury.

San Antonio hosts Denver next Wednesday.

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

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Manu Ginobili SA 20.2
Carmelo Anthony Den 23.7

Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 9.2
Carmelo Anthony Den 8.3

Assists
Tony Parker SA 7.0
Chauncey Billups Den 5.4

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2010121607

[rayjayjohnson]

In all seriousness, coming off a tough game and having to play in Denver has us taking this one. But not easily. It seems impossible for the Nuggs to have an easy win this year.

[Frenchise player]

This is a really tough game, not only because it's back to back but because it's in Denver and the altitude plays a factor. Denver has also been resting after their victory at home against Orlando on Monday. The Spurs can matchup with anyone but this team is a tough cover for them.
Nuggets shoud be favorites.

[timtonymanu]

Denver should win this on paper. But the Spurs have shown that they can beat anyone no matter the disadvantages. With Splitter and Blair possibly hurt, I don't think Pop sits out Tim on this one. Hopefully the Spurs play better than they did today.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Ty Lawesome vs Tony Parker. We find out who is quicker tonight

[DesignatedT]

should be a tough one to win. The Spurs will need big games out of George and Dejuan to have a chance.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Spurs 104
Nuggets 95

[Pauleta14]

I expect TP to have a big game with Chauncey Billups out .. And so too, George Hill.

Billups isn't a matchup problem for TP anymore...

I'm more concerned by him having enough energy chasing Lawson

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Thurs. Dec. 16
San Antonio @ Denver: Dick Bavetta; Rodney Mott; Haywoode Workman

[Rummpd]

This will be a tough one and I call it here first - Manu with a second consecutive buzzer beater!

Spurs 102 Denver 101

[TJastal]

Yikes, Bavetta's reffin' this. This should be REAL interesting.......

[FromWayDowntown]

Since 1986-87, only 10 teams have started a season with as many as 22 wins in their first 25 games:


Rk Tm Season Count
1 BOS 2008-09 23 -- finished 62-20, lost ECSF
2 CHI 1995-96 23 -- finished 72-10, Champion
3 BOS 2007-08 22 -- finished 66-16, Champion
4 CHI 1996-97 22 -- finished 69-13, Champion
5 DAL 2002-03 22 -- finished 60-22, lost WCF
6 DET 2005-06 22 -- finished 64-18, lost ECF
7 HOU 1993-94 22 -- finished 58-24, Champion
8 PHO 2004-05 22 -- finished 62-20, lost WCF
9 POR 1990-91 22 -- finished 63-19, lost WCF
10 SEA 1993-94 22 -- finished 63-19, lost WCFR

[Horse]

Back to back, after a tough win, against a younger opponent - sounds like our 4th loss of the season has arrived.
Nuggets by 15 to 20 points.
Have we even lost a game by double-digits yet?

[TDMVPDPOY]

the high altitude doesnt affect ghill3

dudes been trainin in time bolic chamber in dragonballgt

[elec99]

Like someone else said, I'm more concerned about being in the mile high city on a back to back. I'd feel better if we were able to rest some of our starters in the 4th of last night.

[TDMVPDPOY]

oi aussies, this game will be on tv sweet...check ur local guides

double header celtics v hawks

spurs v nuggets at 2.45pm noon

[jmanu20]

Have we even lost a game by double-digits yet?

9, 9, and 5 are the Spurs' margins of defeat so far. This game is a prime candidate to be the first though...

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-san-antonio-spurs-denver-nuggets)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-san-antonio-spurs-denver-nuggets

[TD 21]

With Splitter likely out, Duncan playing over 30 minutes last night, the thin air and the fact that the Nuggets don't have a big, bruising, low post oriented PF, look for Udoka to play decent minutes in this one. I expect him to guard Anthony when Jefferson doesn't, because obviously Ginobili and Hill have no chance against him.

The trickle down effect is Neal will probably play sparingly. I don't think we'll see a lot of pairings between Duncan-Blair-McDyess. Instead, I think we'll see a lot of one of them at C and either Bonner, Jefferson or potentially even Udoka, at PF.

I'd prefer the Spurs stay big and pound the Nuggets down low and on the glass, as they only really have one quality true big, Nene. But knowing how Pop operates, he'll be thrilled to play smaller, more perimeter oriented lineups.

[EricD]

With Splitter likely out, Duncan playing over 30 minutes last night, the thin air and the fact that the Nuggets don't have a big, bruising, low post oriented PF, look for Udoka to play decent minutes in this one. I expect him to guard Anthony when Jefferson doesn't, because obviously Ginobili and Hill have no chance against him.

The trickle down effect is Neal will probably play sparingly. I don't think we'll see a lot of pairings between Duncan-Blair-McDyess. Instead, I think we'll see a lot of one of them at C and either Bonner, Jefferson or potentially even Udoka, at PF.

I'd prefer the Spurs stay big and pound the Nuggets down low and on the glass, as they only really have one quality true big, Nene. But knowing how Pop operates, he'll be thrilled to play smaller, more perimeter oriented lineups.

Great analysis TD21 :toast

You should have pre-game and post-game write ups. You'd have one fan that's for sure.:toast

[TD 21]

Great analysis TD21 :toast

You should have pre-game and post-game write ups. You'd have one fan that's for sure.:toast

Thanks.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to do that. If I did, what purpose would timvp serve? :lol

[DMC]

I think Tony goes off for 25-30 tonight because the Nuggets don't play defense, and Manu will likely be in that range as well. I would like to see Hill have a great game, and the Spurs have done well on B2B all year.

I think the Spurs will win tonight. Remember they put a home loss on the Hornets, quite handily as well.

[EricD]

Thanks.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to do that. If I did, what purpose would timvp serve? :lol

:lol No kidding.

(BTW I befriended you if that's cool?)

[DMC]

:lol No kidding.

(BTW I befriended you if that's cool?)

kinda creepy... actually. You wanna share a blanket?

[Rummpd]

This will be a tough one and I call it here first - Manu with a second consecutive buzzer beater!

Spurs 102 Denver 101


Close enough! Roll on the Church of Manu!

[DMC]

I think Tony goes off for 25-30 tonight because the Nuggets don't play defense, and Manu will likely be in that range as well. I would like to see Hill have a great game, and the Spurs have done well on B2B all year.

I think the Spurs will win tonight. Remember they put a home loss on the Hornets, quite handily as well.

I didn't see Duncan blowing up like that.... wow. He's never done that before... :lol