Spurs at 76ers Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Friday, 6:00 CST.


San Antonio (44-8) at Philadelphia (24-28) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011021120)
Tipoff: 7:00 pm EST Fri Feb 11, 2011
TV: FSSW, CSP
By Santosh Venkatarman

The San Antonio Spurs have had more trouble in Philadelphia over the last 11 seasons than in any other Eastern Conference city.

The Spurs will try for a rare road win against the 76ers on Friday night when they continue their “Rodeo Road Trip.”

San Antonio (44-8) is seeking to become the sixth team in NBA history to begin 45-8 or better and the first since the 1996-97 champion Chicago Bulls. Doing so could be tricky since the Spurs have won twice in their last 10 visits to Philadelphia for their lowest amount of road victories against an East foe since 2000-01.

The league-leading Spurs feel they have been getting opponents’ best shots during this annual road trip that occurs when the rodeo takes over the AT&T Center. They will visit nine cities over 17 days and travel 8,187 miles.

San Antonio used a big fourth quarter for a 111-100 victory at Toronto on Wednesday, outscoring the Raptors 30-16 as DeJuan Blair had 16 of his 28 points over the final 12 minutes.

“I guess when they play a team that has a record like ours they are going to be pretty motivated to get after you, it’s a motivational thing and they did that tonight,” coach Gregg Popovich said.

Blair matched a career high in scoring and added 11 rebounds for his 13th double-double. He’s got double-doubles in five of his last six games, averaging 15.0 points on 56.6 percent shooting and 10.5 rebounds.

“He’s just got a knack,” Popovich said. “He’s a natural player. He’s got great hands, he understands what’s going on. He’s got great body control. He gets it done.”

All-Star guard Manu Ginobili has had a quiet road trip, averaging 13.0 points on 37.5 percent shooting. He has shot 38.0 percent and averaged 15.0 points in eight career games at Philadelphia.

Tony Parker’s 12.4 scoring average in Philadelphia is his lowest in any city.

The Spurs had no trouble with the 76ers in a 116-93 home win Nov. 13. Parker scored 24 points, Ginobili had 18 and Blair added 13 and 12 boards.

That game came during Philadelphia’s 3-13 start. The 76ers (24-28) are playing better now as winners of seven of 10, although they fell 99-95 at home to Orlando on Wednesday.

Andre Iguodala had 21 points and eight assists, and he’s averaging 22.0 points on 56.1 percent shooting during the Sixers’ three-game home win streak over the Spurs.

Lou Williams scored 18 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday. He’s averaging 5.0 points in the fourth quarter over the last four seasons, his highest average in any period.

“Just being aggressive,” Williams said. “I have always been a late-game guy. The last three or four years of my career, the fourth quarter has always been my best.”

San Antonio is hoping rookie big man Tiago Splitter will be available after he left Wednesday’s victory late in the third quarter with a strained left hamstring and did not return.

“It’s a little bit painful right now but I’ll be good,” Splitter said.

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

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Manu Ginobili SA 18.2
Elton Brand Phi 15.5

Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 9.2
Elton Brand Phi 8.5

Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.8
Jrue Holiday Phi 6.4

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011021120

[TDMVPDPOY]

blair v brand

brand has been playin good lately...lets see blair expose this phony

[Spurfect21]

Gonna be a very tough game tomorrow night. The '6ers have been playing great ball lately. With this being the 3rd game in 4 nights its gonna be hard to match the energy this team plays with. IMO this is going to be a great opportunity to see if our guys can pull out a tough win. Will be a surprisingly big challenge, and the Spurs have been on cruise control lately. May have to turn it up just a bit to pull this one out...

[m33p0]

test-of-character game. wouldn't matter to me if they win or lose. what's important is how much effort they put into it. we'll see what kind of heart they have. (maybe i should save this for the chicago game)

[Em-City]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/It%27s_a_Trap.png

[Martin R]

Sixers are gonna be embarrased tomorrow night.
Spurs +15

[alchemist]

tough game, Sixers have been good lately.

[duncan228]

Hit the link for the whole piece.


Evan’s latest back injury not Turning heads on Sixers staff (http://delcotimes.com/articles/2011/02/10/sports/doc4d548ae8ce268634403276.txt?viewmode=fullstory)
By Jack McCaffery

...Turner missed the final nine minutes of a 99-95 loss Wednesday night to the Orlando Magic, complaining of back spasms. The Sixers said they weren’t worried.

Turner didn’t practice Thursday. Not to worry, the Sixers said.

The Sixers will entertain the 44-8 San Antonio Spurs tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. That, they can worry about. But not, Doug Collins insists, because of Turner’s back.


...“We wanted him to take the day off,” Collins said Thursday after a mini-workout at the PCOM Center. “I think he has what Spencer (Hawes) had, and it almost happened the same way. Spencer was out warming up and the chiropractor said what happened was that a rib sort of popped out of place. And when it does, it throws your back into spasm. So it’s nothing structural, where you would have pain in your legs and all that kind of stuff. This is all a muscle thing.

“Today, we expected Evan to be very sore because they popped that thing back in. It was in spasm. When I talked to him this morning, he said he would be ready to go (Friday.) Spencer was like that too. It took him about two or three days before he was back to being himself.”


...Though Turner insisted after the Magic game that he was fine and he would return to action against the Spurs, his history of back issues magnified his absence.

“I’ll get it situated right now,” Turner said after playing 13 minutes and scoring two points. “It just spasm-ed up on me. I’ll be ready to roll. It just spasm-ed up. I woke up today and I took a nap and I woke up again and it started hurting. I’m going to have it checked out again and I will be ready for Friday.”

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

Tim Duncan was Spencer Hawes’ favorite NBA player when he was growing up.

As luck would have it, he should be inches from Duncan tonight.

“He was a guy I thought my game was similar to,” Hawes said. “I could really try to emulate some of the things he was doing. I think his skill set was something I always admired and always tried to copy to a certain degree.”

A career 20.7 ppg. scorer with his Hall of Fame plaque all but on order, the 34-year-old Duncan is averaging 13.4 points in this, his 13th NBA season

“I love Duncan,” Collins said. “I love his approach. He’s been an All-Defensive player. He plays both ends of the floor. And I remember when I was broadcasting, Pop (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) started taking him out of the post a little bit and having him take more jump shots, because he thought he was getting keyed up too much in the post. He was trying to preserve him.

“And so you see Duncan now shoot a lot more jump shots. He loves that one with a little angle off the glass. But you will see him step out above that three-point line and shoot jump shots. And that’s by design, with Pop not wanting him to get beat up as much in the post.”

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

...“We talked a little about San Antonio from the standpoint of them having the best record in the league and what we would be facing,” Collins said. “And the big thing is that our schedule has been for so many games that we have had very little practice time. We have to keep our guys mentally and physically fresh as we can keep them until we can get a break for the All-Star Game.”

http://delcotimes.com/articles/2011/02/10/sports/doc4d548ae8ce268634403276.txt?viewmode=fullstory

[duncan228]

Quotes, hit the link for the whole piece.


Sixers show respect for Spurs leading into matchup (http://www.csnphilly.com/02/10/11/Sixers-show-respect-for-Spurs-leading-in/landing_sixers.html?blockID=408166&feedID=704)
By Dei Lynam
CSNPhilly.com

...“They have as good a franchise as any in any sport,” Collins said Thursday morning after his team got together for what amounted to about 15 minutes. “A lot of people compare them to the New England Patriots. The way they run it, from their owner to the connection between their general manager and their coach, the way they do things professionally, the way they develop players; they are fantastic.”


...“Ginobili is the lightning rod that makes them special. When he is on they are hard to beat,” Collins admired. “You basically know what you are going to get from Parker and Duncan, but when he is on they are very tough to beat.”


...Duncan is in his 14th season and he is averaging career lows in points, rebounds and minutes at 13, nine, and 29 respectively. But don’t be mistaken – the Spurs go as Duncan goes, which is why fifth title since 1999 may be in order.

“The way he plays he may be the lowest maintenance superstar in this league,” Collins said. “Tony Parker said when I was doing the playoffs one year it all starts with Timmy and we just follow after. Just what Tim Duncan brings every single night, his numbers can be down but they have the best record in the league and they just keep doing it night in and night out.”

Collins is not alone when it comes to Sixers who have great admiration for Duncan and his Hall of Fame-worthy resume. Sixers center Spencer Hawes was 10 years old when Duncan won his first NBA title in 1999. On the way to becoming the 10th overall pick in 2007, Hawes chose Duncan’s game to model his own after.

“I am biased because he was my favorite player growing up,” he said. “He is still so key to what they are trying to do on both ends of the floor. He controls the paint on defense, he rebounds, he allows them to be more aggressive defensively.

“Then offensively as well, his skills have not declined at all. He can still be a scorer in the post and I think one of the areas he is underrated is as a facilitator, setting other guys up and really just making guys around him better.”

http://www.csnphilly.com/02/10/11/Sixers-show-respect-for-Spurs-leading-in/landing_sixers.html?blockID=408166&feedID=704

[duncan228]

Quotes, hit the link for the whole piece.


At 44-8, Spurs won’t settle for just winning (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/10/at-44-8-spurs-won%e2%80%99t-settle-for-just-winning/)
Jeff McDonald

...As the Spurs’ record has risen, so have the stakes, so have the expectations, and so has Popovich’s standard.

“He won’t let us settle,” said guard George Hill, whose team resumes its rodeo trip tonight at Philadelphia. “He wants us to be the best team we can.”


..."Right now, we’re playing as if we’re still trying to get in the playoffs,” Hill said. “That’s the mentality you have to have.”


..."We can’t be satisfied,” point guard Tony Parker said. “You want to improve. That’s the goal every night. We don’t want to waste this record.”


..."Usually, we’re moaning and groaning about offense,” Popovich said. “Now we’re moaning and groaning about defense. It’s been a schizophrenic season in that sense.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/10/at-44-8-spurs-won%e2%80%99t-settle-for-just-winning/

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


Friday: Spurs (44-8) at 76ers (24-28) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/10/friday-spurs-44-8-at-76ers-24-28/)
Jeff McDonald

...Spurs have lost three consecutive games at Philadelphia by an average of 13.7 points, and eight of past 10...Spurs are 25-1 this season against teams below .500, and 15-3 against the Eastern Conference...

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/10/friday-spurs-44-8-at-76ers-24-28/

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


INJURY UPDATES: Rookie center Tiago Splitter is questionable for tonight’s game after suffering a strained left hamstring Wednesday in Toronto.

Rookie guard Gary Neal’s sore left groin responded well to rest and treatment Thursday. His availability will be determined after this morning’s shootaround.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/10/novak%e2%80%99s-gamble-leads-to-spurs/

[Doctor J]

Thanks always, duncan228...

[Sean Cagney]

TOUGH GAME there.

[TampaDude]

Spurs win by 11.

[timtonymanu]

I hope the Spurs can end their losing streak in Philly. IMO, this game will be tough.

[Fireball]

The way the Spurs are defending right now I see quite a lot of dunks by the athletic 76ers ... lets see if the Spurs have enough energy to pull out another W

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Feb. 11, 2011
San Antonio @ Philadelphia: Dan Crawford; Violet Palmer; Michael Smith

[GrandeDavid]

I'm tired of this losing in Philly. What gives? The Spurs have had a day's rest and are in their road trip groove. I expect them to win handily tonight.

[FromWayDowntown]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Feb. 11, 2011
San Antonio @ Philadelphia: Dan Crawford; Violet Palmer; Michael Smith

Spurs have lost both games that Violet has called this year -- at home against NO in November and at the Clippers in December.

[Solid D]

This is has the smell of a loss. (Not a Violet joke)

If this were the 2nd game of a b2b with the young, athleticism of the Sixers at home, I would say this is a lock for an L. Box out, shoot well and get back...otherwise this game will be over before the Spurs decide to lock down on D.

[mingus]

with the way Blair has been playing, it's going to offset a lot of the fatigue problems that will be present for Manu, Tim and Tony due to the hard week. if Blair produces like he has the last 6 games, Spurs will win.

[The Btown Spur]

According to Art Garcias Twitter: "Spurs backup center Tiago Splitter (sprained left hamstring) out tonight at Philly."
https://twitter.com/#!/ArtGarcia_NBA

[K-State Spur]

According to Art Garcias Twitter: "Spurs backup center Tiago Splitter (sprained left hamstring) out tonight at Philly."
https://twitter.com/#!/ArtGarcia_NBA

Probably wouldn't have played much tonight (other than blowout) regardless.

Would be nice if he could come back tomorrow so that Dyess can sit out the second half of the B2B again.

[mexpurs21]

DeJuan Blair 16.7 PPG & 9.8 RPG against teams from the atlantic division :downspin:

[easy7]

:flag::flag::flag:

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-philadelphia-76ers)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-philadelphia-76ers

[duncan228]

Highlights, hit the link for the whole piece.


Pop talks Sloan, Splitter out and other shootaround notes (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/11/pop-talks-sloan-splitter-out-and-other-shootaround-notes/)
Jeff McDonald

..."He’s always been somebody that I’ve looked up to from my younger days,” Popovich said after shootaround this morning in Philadelphia. “Coming home on leave, getting with the boys and going to the Chatterbox for a Stroh’s and fried mushrooms, and watching him on the TV, beating the hell out of people.

“My memories of coach Sloan go way back.”


..."It will certainly be strange walking into that arena and not seeing him there,” Popovich said.


Other notes from this morning’s shootaround in Philly:


...Tiago Splitter is out again..."He can’t tie his shoes,” Popovich said. “If you can’t tie your shoes, you can’t play.” Splitter won’t play against the 76ers, and his status for Saturday’s back-to-back finisher at Washington is in doubt.


...Gary Neal...said he feels fine and intends to play tonight. Matt Bonner’s sore right knee came through the back-to-back at Detroit and Toronto no worse for wear. “It didn’t get better, but it didn’t get worse,” Bonner said. He intends to play against the Sixers as well.


..."Philly was never an easy W here for us,” Popovich said. “Doug and his staff have done a great job of being persistent. When coaches and players are persistent about believing each other and a system, over time good things will happen. You can see that now in the way they’re playing.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/11/pop-talks-sloan-splitter-out-and-other-shootaround-notes/

[Rummpd]

Payback time win big Spurs as I am at the Wiz game and want a fresh Spurs team tommorow night (or the best they can be with 2 bbs in 5 nights)

[ElNono]

I was 15 mins away from the Arena about an hour ago... I'm skipping this one and watching from home though. Last 3 times I went we lost. I want to make sure it's not me. :lol

I'll be there Monday when we play NJ though!

[Pauleta14]

I was 15 mins away from the Arena about an hour ago... I'm skipping this one and watching from home though. Last 3 times I went we lost. I want to make sure it's not me. :lol

I'll be there Monday when we play NJ though!


You're not serious!? :wow :lol

Are you living there?

If the spurs came just once a year to play I wouldn't miss them for anything!!!

It must be soo complicated/frustrating to be supersticious... :lol

[Budkin]

I could see this one being an upset... but it won't be.

[Runner-In-Austin]

I didn't know where else to post this question...

Does anyone know why we've been seeing Malik call more games in place of Sean? Love both guys, but just noticed it's been a regular thing this season. anybody know?

[duncan228]

I didn't know where else to post this question...

Does anyone know why we've been seeing Malik call more games in place of Sean? Love both guys, but just noticed it's been a regular thing this season. anybody know?

Elliott doesn't go on the cold weather road trips. Long ago he said it's to protect his health, but Phila_Chamberlain said that's not the case, Elliott really just doesn't like the cold.

[Sean Cagney]

TOUGH GAME there.

Yep, I knew it would be and was..... 6-3 road trip as I predicted hopefully (Bulls will be an L too IMO).

[timtonymanu]

The losing streak continues.