Game Blog: Spurs @ Hornets - Jan. 22

[Bukefal]

http://i.imgur.com/HgsFP.png at http://i.imgur.com/0cG2Q.png

Saturday: San Antonio Spurs (37-6) at New Orleans Hornets (28-16)



Game Preview: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170874

Time: 08:00 PM ET/02:00 AM CET
Location: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
TV: League Pass, CST, KMYS, WOAI, KMEZ



http://i.imgur.com/tYiOK.gifhttp://i.imgur.com/UFFJW.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/2pmNq.gif

http://i.imgur.com/9h3RS.png

:flag::flag::flag:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/dembeatz/spurs_win.jpg

:flag::flag::flag:

[Bukefal]

http://i.imgur.com/XCSKb.png


Tony Parker on his play against the Knicks:


“I was just trying to be very aggressive going to the basket and try to make stuff happen for myself and my teammates. My teammates were knocking down shots, DeJuan and Timmy played great tonight, just a big win for us.”



:flag::flag::flag:

[Rummpd]

This is a tough one to predict as the NOH look revitalized and they got to cruise yesterday - that being said if Pop and the team is still hungry after the revenge game against Knicks Spurs willl most likely win a fairly close game over an improving NOH team. Love to see Splitter get off the pine early tonight and rest Duncan if at all possible so Blair needs to continue to come up huge.

[Anonymous Cowherd]

Can we get GH3 back to defend CP3 please?

[DesignatedT]

gunna be a tough one

[Mel_13]

Tough one for the good guys tonight.

[GinobiliForTres]

gunna be a tough one

is there anything that determines who gets the call for NBA LP games? would like to hear sean and bill tonight.

[Pelicans78]

Whorenets play top notch defense, but don't think they have enough offense to keep up with the Spurs, especially if Ariza is back tonight. He makes the offense much worse.

[Libri]

Whorenets play top notch defense, but don't think they have enough offense to keep up with the Spurs, especially if Ariza is back tonight. He makes the offense much worse.

I'm interested in seeing how Pondexter plays, if Ariza is out.

[ohmwrecker]

Spurs 93
Hornets 86

Bugs will have a big 1st half, ST freaks out, Spurs come back in 2nd to close out win.

[Pelicans78]

I'm interested in seeing how Pondexter plays, if Ariza is out.

He's the standard NBA small forward. Athletic, hits the open jumper, decent ball-handler, and solid defensively. Not a scorer and won't create his own shot.

[TampaDude]

Spurs 98
Hornets 97

Manu hits a 3 with 2 seconds left to give the Spurs the lead. The Hornets final shot misses. Spurs win.

[Spurs Brazil]

JMcDonald_SAEN
During warm-up, Hill says only real problem is having with thumb is catching the ball. Dribbling, passing, shooting feels OK, he says.

Matt Bonner is out. So is James Anderson ... but George Hill? He's still questionable. Warming up now. Determination after that. #spurs

[Werdsniper2]

I'm worried about our bench tonight, Gary Neal specifically.

He was abused last night with 36 or so minutes, and with Hill out again tonight, he's going to be forced to pull another heavy workload on consecutive nights.

You also have to add in the possibility of guarding Chris Paul at certain points. Combined with the fact that he is a rookie. It smells of disaster.

He was a good player overseas, and likely held starter minutes. Hopefully that helps him out tonight.

[duncan228]

Hill's status still TBD. Pop says he'll leave it up to George.

[duncan228]

Meanwhile, for New Orleans: Ariza (right ankle) is in. Aaron Gray (left ankle) is out.

[Werdsniper2]

Is there any chance Splitter gets off the bench tonight?

Or can we expect another Dice, Owens, Manu combination.

[Cane]

Twitter Q: hows the thumb feeling?
about 5 hours ago via web

George Hill: pretty good

9 minutes ago via Echofon in reply to TeamGeorgeHill

http://twitter.com/george_hill3

[awktalk]

During warm-up, Hill says only real problem is having with thumb is catching the ball. Dribbling, passing, shooting feels OK, he says.

Matt Bonner is out. So is James Anderson ... but George Hill? He's still questionable. Warming up now. Determination after that. #spurs

Excellent news. Even if Hill is out tonight, doesn't look like he'll miss an extended amount of time.

[awktalk]

Is there any chance Splitter gets off the bench tonight?

Or can we expect another Dice, Owens, Manu combination.

If we get up by more than 20 in the 4th with under 6 to go. It is quite obvious Pop has no trust in Splitter at this point to not ruin a win.

[haveblue]

I hope we get another good performance from....
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1152/blair2.jpg

[100%duncan]

This is gonna be a tough one since hill is out but I expect a W

[duncan228]

#Hornets will be wearing alternate gold NOLA unis tonight vs. #Spurs.

[GinobiliForTres]

as long as we're not wearing white

[GinobiliForTres]

dammit. hornets call.

[duncan228]

Hornets call.

[Spurs Brazil]

Hornets call

[Fireball]

what does NOLA mean by the way? it sounds like New Orleans Lakers ...

[Fireball]

Hornets call

and I'm already annoyed after 30 seconds of it

[GinobiliForTres]

what does NOLA mean by the way? it sounds like New Orleans Lakers ...

New Orleans, Louisiana (LA)

[Bukefal]

:flag: go spurs

[Fireball]

New Orleans, Louisiana (LA)

thanks ...

[BoricuaCJA]

I'm hoping for Blair to have another big game.
Go SPURS GOOOO!!!

[GinobiliForTres]

and I'm already annoyed after 30 seconds of it

i feel like i'm in kindergarten when i listen to the white commentator.

[Fireball]

lets see what he Hornets will do to prevent us shooting threes ... which the Spurs did not do so well the last games anyway

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

i still remember how clueless monty william's face looked last time the spurs beat them

[Spurologist]

I think it's fair to say this game won't be decided by 40 points

[Tp9gospursgo]

George is playing! Hell Yeah!

[Pauleta14]

Hornets have the same state of mind the spurs had yesterday against the knicks...

It's gonna be tough in term of intensity

[Bukefal]

Let's go ! :flag:

[timtonymanu]

Ugh I'm already muting the Hornets announcers

[DesignatedT]

wow these hornets guys r horrible already

[GinobiliForTres]

Hornets have the same state of mind the spurs had yesterday against the knicks...

It's gonna be tough in term of intensity

jeez. commentators jizz their jeans on the first good play.

[CFH]

Not a good start

[timtonymanu]

pretty bad play so far

[AidanNelson2009]

WOW !!!!! what a start by the Hornets, not looking good. C'mon Spurs.

[dbreiden83080]

You have to expect a loss tonight. Back to back on the road against a good team. Back to Backs are beyond bullshit in the NBA..

[Spurs Brazil]

bad start

[CFH]

Ginobili to Blair

[timtonymanu]

You have to expect a loss tonight. Back to back on the road against a good team. Back to Backs are beyond bullshit in the NBA..

Hornets are coming off a B2B also. I wouldnt call this a loss yet.

[duncan228]

George Hill in uniform. Told he could play. Or maybe not. Or might start to play, then decide he can't. It's all up in the air.

[CFH]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

attack these bees GSG

[dbreiden83080]

Hornets are coming off a B2B also. I wouldnt call this a loss yet.

I know it is just always shit when you gotta go on the road like this and face a good team.. Basically i despise back to backs.. The quality of play often sucks..

[CFH]

Keep attacking

[duncan228]

Duncan left his jumper in SA.

[GinobiliForTres]

I know it is just always shit when you gotta go on the road like this and face a good team.. Basically i despise back to backs.. The quality of play often sucks..

plus Duncan is way off tonight.

[CFH]

Tiago in

[DesignatedT]

early tiago

[Spurologist]

Tiago in early! interesting

[timtonymanu]

Tiago!

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

splitterrrr waaa?

[duncan228]

Early Splitter sighting.

[GinobiliForTres]

Keep attacking

Splitter sighting

[dbestpro]

Got the feeling Pop will pull the plug on this one early.

[Spurs Brazil]

Nice to see TP attacking, RJ should do the same instead of Js all the time

TD J is off so far

[Creation88]

hate calls that are whistled when the shooter is already back on the ground. BS

[TDomination]

Splitter in early for duncan, I wonder if pop is trying to save duncan

[carina_gino20]

Tiago!

[DesignatedT]

fuckin manu. go into the body don't be scared

[100%duncan]

damn this is bad

[timtonymanu]

Goddamn need to get the loose balls

[Spurologist]

JMcDonald_SAEN is the master of ambiguous quotes. He said the same thing about James Anderson

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

ball needs to move, same old story

[Fireball]

good defense on both sides

[Werdsniper2]

Okafor just owning Manu.

[Capt Bringdown]

Manu stinking up the court again

[Spurs Brazil]

Need to do a better job on the boards

[Ice009]

Manu is PLAYING LIKE SHIT LATELY.

PISS POOR MANU, PISS POOR.

[Fireball]

Manu stinking up the court again

i like that he goes to the basket, because normally he gets some FTs out of it at least ... but its not working yet

[dbestpro]

Without a healthy bench, the starters tired, and a healthy lead in the division you can bet your last dollar that Pop is ready to play Quinn, Owens and Splitter for about 30 minutes each tonight.

[timtonymanu]

Good to see Hill

[dbestpro]

Tiago is wide open on that pick and role but no one trusts him to finish at the rim.

[Spurologist]

:lol

David West was in the lane for at least 7 seconds

[CFH]

Okafor swatting all the shots

[carina_gino20]

Hmm....So Hill is playing.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

wtf offensive fouls

[timtonymanu]

RJ and those charges man. He gets called for those alot now.

[Spurologist]

bullshit off foul on RJ

[EricB]

Jefferson has been getting some horseshit calls against him lately.

[dbestpro]

It is really hard for RJ to get his game together the way he is being officiated.

[GinobiliForTres]

Okafor swatting all the shots

i hate him

i like splitter/dice

[BoricuaCJA]

No ball movement at all.

[Capt Bringdown]

Our offense is offensive.

[timtonymanu]

Feels like a game where both teams score under 90

[Pauleta14]

waow 21,4% and 22.2%....

[Spurologist]

both teams are cold....the game is begging for someone to catch fire

[DesignatedT]

terrible call on RJ. Tony needs to start looking for his shot. He's our only hope.... and put in Neal.

[Chieflion]

Feels like a game where both teams score under 90

90? At this pace, we would score less than the Hawks.

[Spurs Brazil]

Put Neal, we need some outside help

[Fireball]

ugly game ... but low scoring on a back-to-back increases our chances to pull off a win

[dbestpro]

Okafor swatting all the shots

He's covering the penetrating guard and totally ignoring Splitter. He's actually wide open early on in the pick and roll. Guards need to recognize the open man.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

is it just me or is that durant commercial kinda freakish?

[boutons_deux]

At we don't have the Knicks shooting 60%.

[carina_gino20]

Guys have got to do a better job of moving without the ball. Standing around waiting for something to happen just makes it too easy for NO.

[Pauleta14]

Manu is PLAYING LIKE SHIT LATELY.

PISS POOR MANU, PISS POOR.


He really needs a rest, it's affecting his decision making too much lately...

There are still 40 games ...

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

all the spurs need is a couple of consecutive shoots to go in and the game will be blown wide open...these hornets have some shitty offense...

[senorglory]

Tiago is wide open on that pick and role but no one trusts him to finish at the rim.

i think i see this all the time.

[timtonymanu]

Hit some shots.

[Capt Bringdown]

These are some of the worst minutes I've ever seen a Spurs team play.

[CFH]

Dice to Parker

[dbestpro]

RJ gets a bogus call against him and he is done for the game. He needs to be more mentally tough.

[Supergirl]

Wait, Hill is playing? I thought he was injured and "likely to miss a few weeks"...why does Yahoo say he's playing?

[ShoogarBear]

NO announcers, on noting that the Spurs are shooting 20%, Hornets 21%:

"That's 41% combined!

[DesignatedT]

good aggressiveness tiago. hit the free throws.

[timtonymanu]

Wait, Hill is playing? I thought he was injured and "likely to miss a few weeks"...why does Yahoo say he's playing?

Cause he is

[Chieflion]

Of all people, it is tunnel vision Hill who finds Splitter. Make your freebies, Tiago.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

hill just passed to the rollman

[BoricuaCJA]

Omg hill actually passed to a cutting Splitter.

[Supergirl]

Cause he is

what happened to the injury? miraculous recovery? I already dropped him from my fantasy roster...grrrr.

[DesignatedT]

fucking splitter cant get a rebound.

[ShoogarBear]

Splitter just let Smith take that rebound from him.

[Spurologist]

this game is ugly

[Supergirl]

SPlitter missing a FT...that's how you know he's a Spur. :(

[timtonymanu]

Tiago seriously has to work on holding boards

[Fireball]

NO announcers, on noting that the Spurs are shooting 20%, Hornets 21%:

"That's 41% combined!

mathematical geniuses

[L.I.T]

I hate that hook shot.

[CFH]

Splitter rarely hits that hook shot

[Manudona]

wow splitter, rebound that ball...

[dbestpro]

At least we are still in the game.

[ShoogarBear]

WTF, Manu?

[TDomination]

what a mess

[DesignatedT]

I knew this was going to be a nasty game. Glad were still in it though

[Ice009]

Wow that rebound by Splitter was soft as piss. COME ON TIAGO. GRAB THE FUCKING BALL.

[Chieflion]

12 x 4 = 48

Come on, gotta find the basket.

[Supergirl]

Dang, we're gonna close the quarter with 12 and 13 pts respectively. That's really low scoring for both teams.

[timtonymanu]

Only 12 points? Every one is ice cold right now. Someone has to step up offensively.

[CFH]

Wow, that quarter was lackluster, only 25 points total :sleep

[024]

i feel like im watching game 7 of the finals again. this is some pretty ugly basketball.

[Brazil]

wtf was that Manu ?

[Bukefal]

wtfff manu

[Ice009]

So what are the Spurs averaging in their last three quarters of play?

Something like 14-15 points a quarter?

[carina_gino20]

Dammit Manu.What an ugly game. :lol

[InRareForm]

Both teams combined 9 turnovers. Both teams 9 combined field goals

[Spurs Brazil]

Not good 1st quarter, very little ball movement, TOs, giveing some rebs

[DesignatedT]

gary neal time. start launchin son

[ShoogarBear]

Hornets on pace to hold back-to-back teams to less than 100 points TOTAL. :lol

[dbestpro]

Look for a lot of fouls to be called as the refs try to compensate for the low score.

[senorglory]

Tiago seriously has to work on holding boards

and scoring from the low post. sheesh.

[ohmwrecker]

At least the Hornets suck too.

[Brazil]

I'd take an ugly win on back to back night tbh

[GinobiliForTres]

Wow, that quarter was lackluster, only 25 points total :sleep

at least we're not down 66-38 to the Heat like the raptors.

[Spurologist]

I think we should go with Neal, tp, Manu, Blair and TD to get an offensive flow going. Even though NO has missed shots, our D has been solid

[DesignatedT]

lol manu. sit his ass down.

[ShoogarBear]

:lmao

[Brazil]

Manu OMFG !!!!!!!!!!

[CFH]

Manu was way off on that 3, yeesh...

[timtonymanu]

wow Manu so ugly right now.

[urunobili]

Manu sucks tonight

[ShoogarBear]

Dice hits rim. So the Spurs are improving.

[Hoops Czar]

Let this first quarter be a stern reminder to all those homers begging Pop to give Splitter more playing time. Quite while your ahead.

[duncan228]

Omg.

[Brazil]

Manu GFTOH

[dbestpro]

Manu needs to take a break. He's pressing.

[duncan228]

Maybe Duncan found his shot...

[CFH]

Timmy bank, hopefully that gets him going

[BoricuaCJA]

Sweet move by Timmy

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

tim just opened the bank!

[Ice009]

This offense is TRASH.

MANU, LEARN TO FUCKING SHOOT.

[duncan228]

Maybe not...:lol

[Capt Bringdown]

Get Manu out of there FFS.

[DesignatedT]

lol looks like were back in 2003. 14 pts in the 2nd quarter and riding duncan every possession.

[TampaDude]

The score was 13-12 at the end of the 1st? Are you fucking kidding me??? :lol

[timtonymanu]

Can someone step up offensively please?

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu must wake up, he's playing terrible

[DesignatedT]

i cant stand listening to these fucking guys anymore

[timtonymanu]

Horrible guys. Hit some fuckin shots.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Ugliest game I've seen in my life.

[CFH]

Wake up guys

[GinobiliForTres]

The score was 13-12 at the end of the 1st? Are you fucking kidding me??? :lol

and the announcers are jizzing over ever fucking play.

[Werdsniper2]

Hornets blocking everything.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

i cant stand listening to these fucking guys anymore

http://icondock.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-shopping-cart/product_images/thumbnails/volume-mute.jpg

[Capt Bringdown]

Gotta give the Hornets credit as well, they're playing great D. No easy shots.

[TampaDude]

It's a good thing there are no B2Bs in the playoffs. :lmao

[Brazil]

awful!!!!!!!!!! and the hornets announcers are soooo bad

[urunobili]

I am SO annoyed by the douche Bees commentators... jeez...

[Fireball]

and the announcers are jizzing over ever fucking play.

Hornets are in control :lol :lol :lol

[carina_gino20]

WTF, we could really use Bonner in this game.

[timtonymanu]

http://icondock.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-shopping-cart/product_images/thumbnails/volume-mute.jpg

i did that after the first hornet basket.

[Manudona]

Manu doing everything he can to avoid the all-star game, but he must be careful he might end up playing in the D-League if he continues like this....

[Ice009]

This is the worst offense I've seen from any team this season.

The Spurs should be ashamed of themselves. Worst offense I've seen this season by anyone.

PATHETIC.

[Chieflion]

Whoever is complaining that the Hornets announcers are jizzing and getting over-excited every play, let me just remind you that Sean Elliott and Bill Land are 100x more excited than they are whenever the Spurs score.

[Warlord23]

LOL at the Spurs making 5 field goals in almost 17 minutes played so far

[BoricuaCJA]

WTF is that baby mascot?

[GinobiliForTres]

Hornets are in control :lol :lol :lol

5-pt lead

in control

Doesn't have a ring to it :lol

[Spurs Brazil]

We're playing very dumb on O.

When we have Mbenga on TD why force stupid shots with Hill and Neal. Go to TD on the post every time

[Spurologist]

hhhhhhiiiiiiiiillllllllllllll 33333333333333333333

[CFH]

Hill 3!

[timtonymanu]

Finally!

[mando6599]

Indy G!

[TampaDude]

The Gators are outscoring both of these teams right now. :lmao

[CFH]

Hill again

[timtonymanu]

Hill again!!!

[Osnofa]

wtf is with these announcers? They're talking like if the Hornets were winning by 30...

Sean Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_ is biased but this is..just too much.

[Capt Bringdown]

First time we've scored on consecutive possessions all game.

[timtonymanu]

Keep attacking guys.

[Chieflion]

Manu impersonating Tony on that pass to RJ. Didn't work so well.

[carina_gino20]

Hill playing well on the road. :tu

[CFH]

Tie game

[Spurologist]

Pop should call the RJ alley hoop play at least 3 times a game....success rate is pretty high

[Fireball]

George makes 2 buckets and Pop takes him out

[Spurologist]

nnnnnnnnneeeeeeeaaaaalllllllllll 33333333333333333333

[CFH]

Neal for 333333333333333333

[ShoogarBear]

Neal before Zod!

[timtonymanu]

Much better play now.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Spurs on a 10-2 run

[GinobiliForTres]

first time we've scored on consecutive possessions all game.

hill again!

[BoricuaCJA]

That's why I love Neal, not scared to shoot.

[timtonymanu]

Manu oop to Tim!!!!!

[Manudona]

Manu impersonating Tony on that pass to RJ. Didn't work so well.

What do you mean? RJ was fouled, so it worked

[CFH]

Alleyoop to Timmy!

[Chieflion]

Alley oop to Duncan.

[duncan228]

Nice

[ShoogarBear]

Both teams heating up.

[Osnofa]

wtf is with these announcers? They're talking like if the Hornets were winning by 30...

Sean Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_ is biased but this is..just too much.

what the hell, can't I write E-L-L-I-O-T? :lol

[ohmwrecker]

Sweet.

[DesignatedT]

fucking love NEAL

[Werdsniper2]

Neal 3! George and Neal picking this thing up.

[Manudona]

The Spurs in Control!

[Spurologist]

nnnnnnneeeeeeeaaaaaaallllllllll 3333333333333333

[CFH]

Neal with it!

[BoricuaCJA]

Neal with it!

[carina_gino20]

NEAL with it!

[timtonymanu]

Finally some consistent offense

[CFH]

Manu steal and RJ with the fastbreak layup :D

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Obi One Ginobili!

[Refocus]

Spurs heatin' up!

[DPG21920]

Neal is balling. I am glad that Hill read my scoffing of his lame injury and decided to play.

[timtonymanu]

No Atlanta performance here tonight.

[Spurologist]

Nealin and Dealin 3s out there

[dbestpro]

That is what makes Manu special. He knows his shot ain't falling so he finds other ways to make a difference.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

neal with it

[DesignatedT]

Manu making great passes and running the offense. Realized he can't score right now. Neal is the fucking man.

[Werdsniper2]

NEAL 3333333333333 again.

Neal-Duncan-Neal-RJ with Manu assisting all over the place.

[Pauleta14]

I'm breathing again... a bit

[Osnofa]

5 points? Spurs in control!!

[duncan228]

what the hell, can't I write E-L-L-I-O-T? :lol

It's Elliott. Two t's.

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu decided to play and we're up 5. Good run

Neal with some big shots

[BoricuaCJA]

Ball movement = wide open shots and makes.

[Banzai]

One thing I've noticed about the Spurs this year than last..is they have better consistency in their 3 point shooters. I don't recall this last year or the year before..but I may be wrong. Just an observation.