Spurs at Hornets Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Saturday, 7:00 CST. Just an FYI, League Pass is free until the 23rd.


Saturday: Spurs (37-6) at Hornets (28-16) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/01/22/saturday-spurs-37-6-at-hornets-28-16/)
Jeff McDonald

...Spurs and Hornets meet for fourth and final time this season. Spurs own 2-1 edge, and can win series for second season in a row. … Spurs are 4-3 on second night of back-to-back. Hornets are 4-5...

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/01/22/saturday-spurs-37-6-at-hornets-28-16/

[Sean Cagney]

Kill them spurs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go!!!!!!!!!!

[duncan228]

San Antonio (37-6) at New Orleans (28-16) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011012203)
Tipoff: 8:00 pm EST Sat Jan 22, 2011
TV: CW35, CST
By Kate Hedlin

Little seems to be slowing down the San Antonio Spurs, who continue to add to the NBA’s best record. However, they could face their biggest challenge yet over the next month.

Winner of eight straight, San Antonio begins a difficult and road-heavy stretch of its schedule Saturday night when it visits New Orleans Arena trying to end the Hornets’ seven-game winning streak.

The Spurs (37-6) play 12 of their next 13 games coming on the road, starting with a three-game trip to New Orleans, Golden State and Utah.

Despite a 9 1/2-game lead over Dallas and New Orleans in the Southwest Division and a league-best 13-4 road record, San Antonio isn’t taking anything for granted.

“The key for us … is not to be satisfied,” point guard Tony Parker said. “We should stay focused. Usually we play well on the road so hopefully we can keep it going.”

Parker and the Spurs open the trip against another surging Western Conference team. New Orleans (28-16) has won seven in a row and is coming off a dominating performance in a 100-59 victory over Atlanta on Friday.

The Hornets’ winning streak is the second-longest in the league behind San Antonio.

The Spurs put on an impressive defensive display of their own in a 101-92 victory over New York on Friday. They held the Knicks to 37.8-percent shooting. San Antonio has given up fewer than 100 points in each victory of its eight-game winning streak.

“It was a great test for our defense,” said Parker, who had 21 points and 13 assists. “We played great defense.”

Tim Duncan had 21 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots Friday while DeJuan Blair recorded his third double-double in four games with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

The Spurs have held the Hornets to 92.7 points per game while winning two of three meetings this season, including a 109-84 home victory Dec. 5 in which San Antonio shot 58.6 percent - the highest percentage allowed by the Hornets in 2010-11.

New Orleans has allowed 100 points or more in regulation nine times all season - twice against San Antonio.

The Hornets have been especially stingy during their seven-game winning streak, giving up 86.3 points per game. The Hawks shot 29.1 percent overall and scored 25 points in the second half of Friday’s rout.

“It’s fun to play defense,” said New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, who finished with 16 points and eight assists. “It’s great to score but it’s better to shut teams down and see guys sort of frustrated. When you know that you’re playing team basketball, it’s pretty special.”

New Orleans pulled its starters in the fourth quarter, giving them some rare extra rest heading into Saturday’s showdown. In three of the previous four games, the Hornets had to rally from second-half deficits of 12 or more.

New Orleans won eight straight to open the season, including a 99-90 victory over the Spurs on Oct. 30.

The Hornets are 17-5 at home this season, including wins in their last three games there.

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

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Manu Ginobili SA 19.0
David West NO 19.0

Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 9.5
Emeka Okafor NO 10.3

Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.9
Chris Paul NO 9.7

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011012203

[Solid D]

8-game win streak versus 7-game win streak. 2 very good defenisve teams. Both playing on the 2nd game of a b2b and both are flying in to New Orleans.

This could be a tough one for the Spurs, especially without George and Matt.

[Sean Cagney]

8-game win streak versus 7-game win streak. 2 very good defenisve teams. Both playing on the 2nd game of a b2b and both are flying in to New Orleans.

This could be a tough one for the Spurs, especially without George and Matt.

George being the big one yes, but matt not so much as they are great without him even!!!!!!! George being out will hurt though, like I thought tonight but they won it big.

[awktalk]

8-game win streak versus 7-game win streak. 2 very good defenisve teams. Both playing on the 2nd game of a b2b and both are flying in to New Orleans.

This could be a tough one for the Spurs, especially without George and Matt.

This is going to be a very difficult game if Bonner is out, which seems likely. I'd love to win it, but if we lose we only have an 8 1/2 game lead over them. *shrug*

[justinandimcool]

We've had our two best halves of the season against NOLA. That epic 2nd half comeback down there, and the Bonner/Neal 1st half feast at home.

We have their number, just smother West and make CP3 (who doesn't really take over the game scoring-wise) and their streaky role players beat you.

[spurs10]

If we protect the ball better we've got a great chance a win.

[TDMVPDPOY]

as long we hit the baskets when we need it, then this is a win in the bag....

[Fireball]

We've had our two best halves of the season against NOLA. That epic 2nd half comeback down there, and the Bonner/Neal 1st half feast at home.

We have their number, just smother West and make CP3 (who doesn't really take over the game scoring-wise) and their streaky role players beat you.

I think so too, we have figured them out. Hopefully they have enough energy in the tank after the game against the Knicks.

Just win please, otherwise Father BHornet will throw dicks all over the place again ...

[SenorSpur]

Heading over to New Orleans to catch the game on Saturday night.

Hopefully, I'll have something interesting to share with the board upon my return - and hopefully we'll be sitting @ 38-6 when it's over.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Atl Hawks made it a bit too easy for the Hornets with their pathetic offense today. So the Hornets are better rested than the Spurs in a sense. While I am confident of a Spurs win, this is going to be difficult. Suspect a OT game, even. And that means Manu holds the key. Lets see. Go Spurs Go!

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Sat. Jan. 22
San Antonio @ New Orleans: Mike Callahan; David Guthrie; Marat Kogut

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Hornets (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/advanced-scouting-new-orleans-hornets-1-22-11)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/advanced-scouting-new-orleans-hornets-1-22-11

[Seventyniner]

Very tough game, and easily the game of the night. Thunder/Knicks could be good, too.

[Libri]

Trevor Ariza is dealing with tendinitis in his ankle. If he doesn't play then we might see Quincy Pondexter in the lineup.

[Martin R]

Manu is gonna be in DOOM mode.

[SpursIndonesia]

Difficult game, the Hornets must be amped up for this game, since the 2nd spot behind the Spurs is within their reach (Dallas slumping). I won't be surprised if this turns into a loss, especially since it's on B2B, away from home, and no top 2 reserve players for us. If we want to chalk another win, our role players really need to step up & Gino to atleast comeback to respectability.


Trevor Ariza is dealing with tendinitis in his ankle. If he doesn't play then we might see Quincy Pondexter in the lineup.

This is quite dangerous, Ariza is a low percentage chucker & slacking defender as a Hornet, the replacement could actually be more helpful than a disadvantage.