Spurs at Lakers Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Thursday, 9:30 CST on TNT.


San Antonio (40-8) at LA Lakers (34-15) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011020313#)
Tipoff: 10:30 pm EST Thu Feb 3, 2011
TV: TNT
By Matt Beardmore

The San Antonio Spurs couldn’t stop a young big man in their last game. It’s uncertain which starting center they’ll face when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs look to rebound from a rare loss Thursday night at Staples Center, where the Lakers could be without Andrew Bynum for a second straight contest.

Opening a season-high nine-game trip Tuesday, San Antonio (40-8) was denied a fourth consecutive victory, losing 99-86 to Portland. Tim Duncan had 15 points and seven rebounds and DeJuan Blair posted his second consecutive game with 14 points and 12 boards, but the Spurs frontcourt could not contain LaMarcus Aldridge. The Trail Blazers forward scored a career-high 40 points and received a handshake from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich afterward.

“I think we held him to 40,” Popovich joked. “I stopped counting after a while.”

The Lakers (34-15) were counting on Bynum to remain in the starting lineup after he missed the first 24 games following offseason right knee surgery, but the oft-injured center suffered another setback as an MRI on Tuesday revealed a bone bruise on his left knee.

“I’m not so sure it’s just going to be one game, but it’s a game-by-game decision,” coach Phil Jackson said prior to a 114-106 overtime victory over Houston on Tuesday. “It’s a bone bruise, and sometimes those things take more than one game.”

If Bynum is out, Lamar Odom will likely start again. Making his first start since scoring nine points with eight rebounds in a 97-82 loss at San Antonio on Dec. 28, Odom had 20 points with a season-high 20 boards versus the Rockets.

“He’s been doing that for us all year,” said Kobe Bryant, averaging 54.0 percent shooting over the last seven games. “People forget how well he was playing when Drew was down. He’s capable of doing that and stepping in and having huge games like this.”

So is Pau Gasol, who had 26 points and 16 rebounds to help the Lakers avoid a third straight home loss. His 20 field-goal attempts were his most since shooting 22 times against Toronto on Nov. 5.

“I’ve just got to be more aggressive,” said Gasol, following Bryant’s advice to be “more selfish.” “I’ve got to be more involved. If I’m not, I can’t contribute, can’t live up to my potential.”

Gasol and the Lakers didn’t do that in the Dec. 28 loss to the Spurs. Gasol scored nine points, Bryant had 21 on 8-of-27 shooting - missing 13 straight at one point - and Los Angeles made a season-low 35.4 percent from the field.

The Lakers, who open a seven-game trip Saturday, have fared much better at home against the Spurs, winning five of seven. San Antonio, though, snapped a four-game road skid in the series with a 100-81 victory April 4 to clinch its 13th consecutive playoff berth.

With Tony Parker sidelined with a broken ring finger in that matchup, Manu Ginobili scored 32 and Duncan added 24 points and 11 rebounds. The Spurs posted their most lopsided road win over the Lakers since a 110-82 victory in Game 6 of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals.

The last time San Antonio lost two in a row was Jan. 4-5.

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Team Stat Leaders

Points
Manu Ginobili SA 18.8
Kobe Bryant LAL 25.6

Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 9.4
Pau Gasol LAL 10.6

Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.8
Kobe Bryant LAL 4.9

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011020313#

[duncan228]

Andrew Bynum: (Knee) Thursday Return Expected (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=rotowire-ndrewynumneehursdaye)

Bynum (knee) expects to play Thursday against the Spurs, the LA Times reports.

“It’s good,” Bynum said of his knee. “I should be back”. Bynum will likely take it game by game moving forward, but it looks like he’ll be in the lineup Thursday. Check back Thursday afternoon for a definitive outlook.

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

[Banzai]

I'm hoping for a good game..but after the minutes many of the Laker starters had last night..I'm sure this one will be tough..and quite frankly..I almost don't want to see the disaster if it were to unfold.

[neboat]

I hope Bynum plays...we need to see if we can handle their bigs

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I'm hoping for a good game..but after the minutes many of the Laker starters had last night..I'm sure this one will be tough..and quite frankly..I almost don't want to see the disaster if it were to unfold.

Nah bud, I'm sure you guys will play well. I mean I'd be surprised for the Lakers to allow there to be two losses to the Spurs, especially if they think they still have a shot at catching the top seed. I'm just hoping for a good game between two good teams either way.

[DJ Mbenga]

tony parker struggled against the blazers. make no mistake he wont against our pg's. in fact even aaron brooks who was shooting 20% made some shots last night against fishers defense.

[concken]

Heard today that Ron Artest wants a trade. No big surprise with how LA's fanbase has been treating him (based on "nba forum" and how he's been reacting. Think it will affect tonight's game at all?

[honestfool84]

you mean Thursday's game?

[DJ Mbenga]

he cant play any worse. if anything it might help him play better

[concken]

My bad, that's exactly what I mean. Been snowing all day and been drinking whiskey

[Sportcamper]

Lakers 104
Spurs 86

[Amuseddaysleeper]

My bad, that's exactly what I mean. Been snowing all day and been drinking whiskey

I pictured Pop from your avatar saying that (beard and all) and I laughed so hard :lol

[Tinystarz]

With Tony Parker sidelined with a broken ring finger in that matchup

:lol

[Budkin]

I have a bad feeling we're going to get demolished in this one, much like the Hornets game. The Lakers will try to make a statement and get revenge for the loss in SA.

[TampaDude]

I have a bad feeling we're going to get demolished in this one, much like the Hornets game. The Lakers will try to make a statement and get revenge for the loss in SA.

I think just the opposite. Spurs win huge tomorrow night. :toast

[bresilhac]

I predict a huge Spur win. Los Angeles is just plain out of gas.

[duncan228]

Thursday: Spurs (40-8) at Lakers (34-15) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/02/thursday-spurs-40-8-at-lakers-34-15/)
Mike Monroe

...Tonight’s game is second of four meetings; Spurs won first game 97-82 at AT&T Center. … Lakers snapped two-game home losing streak on Tuesday, beating Houston Rockets 114-106 in overtime, avoiding first three-game home losing streak in three seasons. …

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/02/thursday-spurs-40-8-at-lakers-34-15/

[duncan228]

Phil Jackson says Andrew Bynum plans to play against San Antonio (http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/02/lakers-phil-jackson-andrew-bynum.html)
Mark Medina
LA Times

After performing "limited work" during Wednesday's practice, Lakers center Andrew Bynum says he feels comfortable enough to play Thursday against San Antonio, Coach Phil Jackson said.

"He says he wants to," Jackson said of Bynum, who sat out of Tuesday's 114-106 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets because of a bone bruise in his left knee. "He was out performing."

Asked how Bynum looked in practice, Jackson said, "It's not high energy, but he looked OK. It looked like he was ready."

Bynum didn't talks to reporters after Wednesday's practice, but speaking briefly following Tuesday's game, he said that his knee "feels good" and that he planned on playing against the Spurs.

http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/02/lakers-phil-jackson-andrew-bynum.html

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


LAKERS THURSDAY PREVIEW: vs. Spurs (40-8) (http://lakers.ocregister.com/2011/02/02/lakers-thursday-preview-vs-spurs-40-8/47994/)
Janis Carr
The Orange County Register

...How they match up:
Lakers: 103.7 points, 96.8 points allowed, 47.1 FG%, 78.6 FT%
Spurs: 104.0 points, 96.9 points allowed, 47.0 FG%, 77.5 FT%

Outlook

The Lakers face the Spurs in the worst case scenario — after the Western Conference-leading team lost to Portland on Tuesday. The Spurs will be looking to get back to winning after suffering just their eighth loss of the season and could take it out on the Lakers. The Spurs won their last meeting, a 97-82 victory on Dec. 28, and held the Lakers to a season-low 27.1 percent shooting. Things could be harder for the Lakers the second time around if theydon’t have Andrew Bynum, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee against the Celtics. Bynum, however, said he should be ready to play.

http://lakers.ocregister.com/2011/02/02/lakers-thursday-preview-vs-spurs-40-8/47994/

[jmanu20]

I hope Bynum plays...we need to see if we can handle their bigs

Bynum played in the game in SA, as did Gasol and Odom. And don't say he wasn't 100%, he pretty much never is, and he still had a better game than most of the other Lakers.

[duncan228]

The Spurs canceled a practice session that had been planned for Wednesday morning in Portland. Reserve center-forward Matt Bonner will have to wait until the team’s shootaround this morning to determine if the pain in his right knee will allow him to return to action after missing the last eight games.

He is officially listed as doubtful to suit up against the Lakers.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/02/all-star-reserves-announced-today/

[Tp9gospursgo]

I wanna see George Hill vs Kobe again!!!

[awktalk]

This game is a trap. Spurs are going to be looking forward to the Kings on a b2b.

[Fireball]

This one can go either way. If Tony and Manu attack and George Hill continues to give Kobe some problems we can win in L.A.

If we lose, I just would like to say the Spurs played good but the Lakers were better. We won many games this season playing bad, but a good loss ... I don't remember one. Perhaps there is not such a thing ...

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Thurs. Feb. 3
San Antonio @ L.A. Lakers: Ken Mauer; Courtney Kirkland; Eli Roe

[silverblk mystix]

Spurs will blow out the lakers for the third straight time.

[elec99]

When it comes to motivation, on the one hand lakers want to even it up, on the other spurs did just lose a game they should have won. We just need to see the same energy we did last time, we'll know in the opening minutes if our defense is going to get calls from the refs or not. Also lets see if kobe tries to immediately take the game over, that means a victory for us if he does.
As for bynum, i think lakers are easier to play when he's in. When he's out, gasol gets more touches which is a bad thing for us.

[duncan228]

Spurs vs. Lakers, get your Kobe hatin’ on (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Jesse Blanchard
48 Minutes of Hell

Kobe Bryant as the best player in the world is a matter of strong debate. Bryant as the most polarizing figure in the NBA has long been settled.

Around the internet there are two loud factions in regards to the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant: There are those that see him as the best player in the NBA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNBsg43cdTc), with any questions asked being an insult to the game of basketball and life in general. And then there are the rest of us who don’t use the Caps Lock feature on our keyboards to strike home a point or pluralize various forms of the word hate with the letter “z”.

And at the risk of subjecting the comments section to the latter, or looking bad tomorrow after Bryant has dropped 40 on the Spurs in a Lakers win—both of which are within the realm of possibilities—I will say this: there are other players to be more feared by Spurs fans (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/portland-trail-blazers-99-san-antonio-spurs-86-how-no-one-fouled-out-of-this-game-ill-never-know) (though not many), and many of the criticisms of Bryant have been both justified and well represented.

The problem with debating Kobe Bryant is there is no debating Kobe Bryant. There is no middle ground from which to start a healthy dialogue. Any attempt to do so falls on blind eyes or deaf ears.

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-vs-lakers-get-your-kobe-hatin-on#more-12675)

[duncan228]

Quotes, hit the link for the whole piece.


Trip-opening loss drives Spurs (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/02/trip-opening-loss-drives-spurs/)
Mike Monroe

..."The Lakers are the best team in the West,” says Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, “and I’m not just saying that to blow smoke at them. They just are. They’re going to have some moments. You cannot expect them to be perfect every night, but they’re the best team.

“We can play with them and anybody else. There are four or five of us that have the opportunity to be the last team standing in the West.”


...Popovich said his players “folded a little bit” when the Blazers toughened up.

Spurs captain Tim Duncan didn’t disagree. The two-time MVP did not like how the team began its nine-game Rodeo Road Trip.

“There’s only two ways it could have gone,” Duncan said of rodeo trip game No. 1, “and that was not the way you want to start. But it is what it is, and we have so many more games on this road trip with a lot to clean up.”


..."Our record is great and all that stuff, and we love to feel good about ourselves because of the record, but this is a good reality check for us to refocus ourselves and go into L.A. and try to start on a good foot there,” Duncan said.


...“Focus is what has to change most, and be ready for 48 minutes,” (Ginobili) said. “(Tuesday) we played a pretty good first half, but then they just had better effort, went to the boards harder, and we didn’t execute, so there were too many things that didn’t go right.

“In L.A. we’ve got to not make mistakes, play smart offensively because they’re another good defensive squad, and see how it goes.”


..."What we did up in Portland ought to put a fire under us, because we didn’t play any type of defense down the stretch,” said Antonio McDyess, the oldest Spur. “They went on a run and got their energy going and got their crowd into the game, and we didn’t do anything about it.

“That should put a fire on us to go take that game in L.A.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/02/trip-opening-loss-drives-spurs/

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-los-angeles-lakers-2-3-11)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-los-angeles-lakers-2-3-11

[honestfool84]

thank you, d228 :tu

[xtremesteven33]

I get a feeling Artest is going to have a big game...

[duncan228]

Lakers vs. Spurs: What to watch, with 48 Minutes of Hell (http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15684/lakers-vs-spurs-what-to-watch-with-48-minutes-of-hell)
By Andy Kamenetzky
ESPN

As Brian elaborated, the rivalry between the Lakers and Spurs hasn't just dominated the NBA since 1999. It's been equal parts competitive and respectful (http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15674/death-taxes-spurs-and-lakers). I mean, all joking aside, can you really hate Greg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli or Tony Parker? (Okay, Eva Longoria might have a few qualms with the fourth guy, but you know what I mean.) But peacefully as these players may interact, they're willing to step on each others' necks (politely, of course) to come out on top of this contest. The marbles at stake, even in a regular season, contain meaning for both sides.

To get a better idea of how the team Derek Fisher described as "the best team in basketball right now," I tracked down Timothy Varner from the True Hoop network's 48 Minutes of Hell (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/). Check out his thoughts on tonight's game, plus some videos of Fisher and Kobe talking Spurs:

Keep Reading... (http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15684/lakers-vs-spurs-what-to-watch-with-48-minutes-of-hell)

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15684/lakers-vs-spurs-what-to-watch-with-48-minutes-of-hell

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

The Brian Kamenetzky piece referred to.

Death, taxes, Spurs and Lakers (http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15674/death-taxes-spurs-and-lakers)
By Brian Kamenetzky
ESPN

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15674/death-taxes-spurs-and-lakers

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

Varner's piece on 48MoH.

Should the Lakers be gunnin’ for that No. 1 spot? (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/los-angeles-lakers-home-court-advantage)
by Timothy Varner
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/los-angeles-lakers-home-court-advantage

[Brutalis]

Statement game. Must win in my eyes.

[Brutalis]

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15684/lakers-vs-spurs-what-to-watch-with-48-minutes-of-hell

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

The Brian Kamenetzky piece referred to.

Death, taxes, Spurs and Lakers (http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15674/death-taxes-spurs-and-lakers)
By Brian Kamenetzky
ESPN

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/15674/death-taxes-spurs-and-lakers

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

Varner's piece on 48MoH.

Should the Lakers be gunnin’ for that No. 1 spot? (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/los-angeles-lakers-home-court-advantage)
by Timothy Varner
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/los-angeles-lakers-home-court-advantage

The term "48 minutes of hell" was coined by Nolan Richardson and the Razorbacks of the early to late 90s. They ran an ultra up-tempo pace and on every basket would turn around and full court press all game long.

Kinda cool to see the term being used now-a-days. It brings me back to the championship in 94 and all the great seasons.

[Spursmania]

I get a feeling Artest is going to have a big game...

Meh...I think Manu's going to bust his balls and Artest will have some sort of tantrum/technical when the calls don't go his way.:lol





At least I hope so:toast

[Mugen]

Statement game. Must win in my eyes.

Really? In February?

the Lakers have had a lot of "statement" games this year and they got curbstomped in each of them.

It's a big game seeding-wise but i don't think either team needs to make a statement to the other.

[jestersmash]

It's certainly not a must win. No regular season game is a "must win" unless you're fighting for an 8th seed.

That said, this game means more than the typical regular season game, at least for me.

[Rummpd]

Spurs will eke out a close one but will get no credit in the media or by the LAL fans for it - as it will be spun along several recurring threads that:

1) "the refs favored the Spurs as they always do".
2) "the Lakers do not care about the regular season"
3) "they would have won if Kobe had not shot too much"
4) "Spurs only got lucky with their hot shooting and cannot sustain that"

[Tp9gospursgo]

Every Spurs-Lakers game is a must win :king

[duncan228]

Do the Lakers have to beat the Spurs tonight? (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/03/do-the-lakers-have-to-beat-the-spurs-tonight/)
Kurt Helin

If the Lakers lose tonight, there will be full-fledged panic on the part of Lakers fans. You should hear talk radio in Los Angeles today, where the idea of the Lakers trading for Carmelo Anthony is getting serious discussion.

(Two quick thoughts here Lakers fans: 1. The Nuggets want draft picks, great young players and cap relief and you can offer little of any of it; 2. Can you imagine the 10-of-50 shooting nights that Anthony and Kobe Bryant could put up? I don’t think they fit well at all.)

Thursday night’s Lakers game against the Spurs has been hyped as a measuring stick game for Los Angles. The thinking goes the real Lakers will show up now or drastic measures are needed. If the Lakers — already just 1-5 against the league’s elite with stinkers against the Heat on Christmas and the Celtics last week — lay another egg, it will be seen as a sign of the end times. Even though the Lakers are two-time defending champs.

The game is a measuring stick, but a small one. Here are two things we know.

First, the Spurs are executing at a much higher level than the Lakers right now. If the playoffs started today, the Spurs would and should be favorites. Win or lose their reputation is secure. Today they are the better basketball team.

Second, that has little meaning come May.

We did a story months ago talking to scouts (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/15/should-the-lakers-be-worried-about-the-spurs-mavericks/) and the perception of many around the league hasn’t changed — the Lakers are the only team in the West that can beat the Lakers. The Spurs are better than expected, they have proven championship metal, but the biggest threat to the Lakers remains the Lakers and their attitude.

The Lakers don’t need to hit the panic button, they need to stop hitting the snooze button.

Clearly those around the Lakers are trying to get them to wake up. Mitch Kupchak is talking trades (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/31/lakers-struggles-has-gm-kupchak-thinking-trade/). Magic Johnson is on board (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/01/magic-johnson%e2%80%99s-down-with-a-lakers-trade-we-must-stop-the-madness/). Jerry West is calling them old (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/21/jerry-west-thinks-lakers-days-are-numbered-boston-may-be-best-this-year/). Jerry Buss is showing up to practice (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/03/lakers-owner-jerry-buss-shows-up-to-practice-but-he%e2%80%99s-not-worried/).

Those are the signs of a team that is concerned. But when you’ve won back-to-back titles and been to three straight finals, you get some benefit of the doubt. You don’t blow the team up midseason. Unless the deal is too good to pass up.

And while in a season when Gilbert Arenas being traded proves nothing is impossible, the Lakers being able to make any significant moves with the players they have is sitting right next to impossible with its arm around it.

The thing Lakers fans really need to hope for is that the team wakes up. Maybe Thursday against the Spurs.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/03/do-the-lakers-have-to-beat-the-spurs-tonight/

[awktalk]

Statement game. Must win in my eyes.

It's February. We play them in March. We play them in April. Nobody will remember this game come May. Whoever wins, meaningless game.

TY 228 for all the great links.