Spurs at Blazers Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Friday, 9:00 CST.


Aldridge pledges $1,000 a point vs. Spurs for Japanese relief efforts (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/24/aldridge-pledges-1000-a-point-vs-spurs-for-japanese-relief-efforts/)
Tim Griffin

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/24/aldridge-pledges-1000-a-point-vs-spurs-for-japanese-relief-efforts/

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Hit the link for the whole piece.


Marcus Camby says he will play in Trail Blazers' game against Spurs (http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/marcus_camby_says_he_will_play.html)
By Mike Tokito, The Oregonian

Center Marcus Camby, who sat out the Trail Blazers' last game with a sprained ankle, said Thursday he will play in Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Camby missed Tuesday's 111-76 home win over Washington, one of the league's worst teams. But the Blazers (41-30), who sit in sixth place in the Western Conference, have six consecutive games against playoff contenders, starting with the Spurs at the Rose Garden on Friday.

"San Antonio tomorrow, it's a big game," Camby said after practice Thursday. "We play this team twice in a matter of days. The next week, the stretch of games we have is important, so it’s important for all of us to be out there on the court."

Asked if there are any conditions related to his ankle that will affect if he plays, Camby said simply, "I'll be out there."


..."I think they play a little more uptempo basketball" without Duncan, Camby said.


...With Duncan out, the Blazers figure to feature a heavy does of Aldridge again.

"We know we’re going to have to play good basketball to win this game," McMillan said. "Taking care of the ball is going to be very important, and playing inside-out."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/marcus_camby_says_he_will_play.html

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Spurs lose without Duncan, but show they remain a very strong team (http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2011/03/nba_high-5_12.html)
By Mike Tokito, The Oregonian

http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2011/03/nba_high-5_12.html

[Chomag]

Going to be a tough game. Portland has become the Spur's Milwaukee lately

Aldridge is a beast and thats an awesome gesture for him. I wish there was a way Spurs could bring him back to Texas in the near future.

[Beaverfuzz]

Who's going to guard L.A.? Blazers make around 50% of their shots, they win this game going away.

[Dunc n Dave]

Great, so Aldridge is looking to go for 40 against us? $1k a point? He's on a mission....

Couple that with Gerald Wallace and Camby making the Spurs timid to bring the ball inside and you've got a recipe for disaster. Only hope is we get hot from the outside again...

[Juggity]

I don't see us winning this game. Portland at home is just too damn good for the Spurs' Duncan-depleted team right now. It's okay, though. We have another opportunity against Portland at home in a couple days

[LakerHater]

I don't see us winning this game.
Me either! :depressed

[crc21209]

Something about the damn Rose Garden....I hate it...:lol

[Pauleta14]

I just don't see how we can win this game...

[Brazil]

Guys stop to be so pessimists we are 12-1 after loosing a game or something like that. Of course Duncan is not here this is another reason to step up.

[spurs10]

We play like we did for 3 quarters last night, we have a chance. I think it may take a few games to get this Duncan-less team to get in a groove. Expect a great effort tomorrow night.

[duncan228]

San Antonio (57-14) at Portland (41-30) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011032522)
Tipoff: 10:00 pm EDT Fri Mar 25, 2011
TV: FSSW, KGW
By Jeff Bartl

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge helped beat the San Antonio Spurs with one of his best career performances in the teams’ most recent meeting.

With the Spurs lacking the inside presence of Tim Duncan this time, Aldridge and the Blazers may be due for another productive effort.

Portland looks to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race Friday night when it shoots for its sixth straight home victory in the series against San Antonio.

Aldridge scored a then-career high 40 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Feb. 1 in a 99-86 win against the Spurs. He hit 16 of 23 shots, and the Blazers (49-33) outscored San Antonio 28-15 in the fourth quarter to pull away.

Aldridge would set a new career high just six days later with 42 points in a win over Chicago, and he’s been putting up solid numbers ever since. He had 22 points before resting the entire fourth quarter Tuesday in a 111-76 rout of Washington, and is averaging career-highs of 22.2 points and 8.7 rebounds this season.

The Blazers have won three of four and are sixth in the West, 1 1/2 games behind fifth-place Denver but only 1 1/2 up on eighth-place Memphis.

Gerald Wallace had his best performance since being traded to Portland from Charlotte at last month’s deadline, scoring 28 points on 10-for-14 shooting. It marked only the second time in 61 games this season Wallace made at least 10 field goals.

“I think I’ve found a comfort zone as far as playing with the guys, getting a feel for what the guys like to do,” Wallace said. “And I think they’re getting comfortable with me out there on the floor.”

Aldridge and Wallace were held in check in earlier meetings this season against San Antonio. Aldridge scored 16 points Dec. 12 in the Blazers’ 95-78 loss, while Wallace shot 2-for-11 and was held to seven points Nov. 8 in the Bobcats’ 95-91 defeat.

Short-handed San Antonio may need a similar defensive effort against Portland’s front line.

Duncan is out indefinitely after spraining his left ankle Monday against Golden State, and the Spurs allowed their most points in more than two months Wednesday after falling 115-112 to Denver.

San Antonio (57-14) leads the West by six games over the second-place Los Angeles Lakers, but hope to have Duncan back before the playoffs begin.

Gary Neal scored a career-high 25 points and Manu Ginobili added 20 for the Spurs, who led by as many as seven in the fourth quarter against the Nuggets. The 115 points allowed were the most since a 128-115 loss Jan. 4 against New York.

“We had a great opportunity. We were up 10-12 for a big part of the game,” Ginobili said. “But they got us on our heels. We stopped being aggressive. We settled for too many jumpers and they made more than us.”

Tony Parker added 19 points, but scored only six in the last meeting against Portland.

San Antonio hasn’t won at the Rose Garden since a 72-65 victory April 6, 2008.

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Team Stat Leaders

Points
Manu Ginobili SA 18.0
LaMarcus Aldridge Por 22.2

Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 9.0
Marcus Camby Por 10.6

Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.6
Andre Miller Por 7.2

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Team Comparison
Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10

San Antonio 57-14 1st Southwest / 1st West 103.6 97.3 Road 24-11 Lost 1 7-3
Portland 41-30 3rd Northwest / 6th West 96.5 94.7 Home 25-10 Won 1 7-3

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011032522

[duncan228]

Trail Blazers point defensive stopper Nicolas Batum at opponents' lead guards (http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/trail_blazers_point_defensive.html)
By Joe Freeman, The Oregonian

Deflated and defeated, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions gives up trying to retrieve an in-bound pass, waves to a teammate to provide help under the baseline and sprints toward the other end of the court with Nicolas Batum harassing him every step of the way.

Check. And mate.

"Sometimes, after two or three possessions, he's like 'OK, OK, I'm done,' and he just runs to the corner or down the court," Batum said. "So I win. That's when I know I win."

Meet the Trail Blazers' newest defensive weapon, an old weapon used from time to time the last couple of seasons that has been dusted off and polished for the stretch run. When coach Nate McMillan inserted Gerald Wallace into the starting lineup 10 days ago, he did so in part to stimulate a more aggressive defense that applies pressure through a variety of half-court traps and full-court schemes.

But while Wallace received most of the attention during the lineup shuffle, it turns out that Batum -- specifically his ability to defend point guards full-court -- was one of the biggest facilitators of the move. More than ever, depending on matchups, Batum has been asked to guard opposing point guards, a trend that only will intensify over the final 11 games of the season as the Blazers fight for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

Keep reading... (http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/trail_blazers_point_defensive.html)

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/trail_blazers_point_defensive.html

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Trail Blazers Q&A: Nic Batum and Nate McMillan after practice (http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/trail_blazers_qa_nic_batum_and.html)
By Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/trail_blazers_qa_nic_batum_and.html

[alchemist]

even with Duncan this was going to be a tough one, without TD it's almost a guaranteed L.

[Em-City]

U guys are pussies!!


Spurs by 7

:gospursgo:

[spurtech09]

this game is going to be A BLOWOUT!!!!!!....blazers by 30

[duncan228]

Friday: Spurs (57-14) at Trail Blazers (41-30) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/24/friday-spurs-57-14-at-trail-blazers-41-30/)
Jeff McDonald

...Spurs are 12-1 this season following losses, third-best mark in NBA history..Spurs have dropped five in a row in Portland, having not won there since April 6, 2008, and are 1-6 vs. Blazers in past seven meetings...

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/24/friday-spurs-57-14-at-trail-blazers-41-30/

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Spurs missing Duncan’s leadership (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/24/spurs-missing-duncan%e2%80%99s-leadership/)
Jeff McDonald

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/24/spurs-missing-duncan%e2%80%99s-leadership/

[GabeIsGone]

Im already having nightmares about how much small-ball were gonna be playing to 'match-up' with their small line-up (w/ wallace).

[TD 21]

Im already having nightmares about how much small-ball were gonna be playing to 'match-up' with their small line-up (w/ wallace).

Yeah, be prepared for plenty of small ball. They'll probably start small. I wouldn't be shocked to see Anderson at SF, Jefferson at PF, McDyess at C. Blair-Bonner as the primary backup bigs and Splitter used sparingly, though I wouldn't put it past Pop to not play Splitter at all. And the more Aldridge is killing the Spurs, the less I expect to see of Splitter.

It would be nice if Pop stopped matching up with the opposition and made the opposition match-up with the Spurs for once. When you're an elite team, particularly the one with the best record in the league, you make the opposition adjust to you; not the other way around.

[Splits]

When Tony went down, we went out and lost the first game of the road trip, then came roaring back and won the next. I expect everyone to step up tomorrow and secure a hard fought win.

[Budkin]

Japan is going to get a ton of relief funds as Aldridge goes full beast on us.

[timtonymanu]

will be at the game tomorrow. First Spurs game live. I'm gonna cheer my ass off for the team.

[spurs10]

Japan is going to get a ton of relief funds as Aldridge goes full beast on us.
That is bullshit. Japan would get a million times more relief if everyone gave what they could afford. That shallow bastard thought he could use their HORROR as a publicity stunt. 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS is nothing to that cocksucker if he truly gave a goddamn. I hope we fucking kill that pretentious bastard tomorrow!

[Fireball]

A game in Portland already was tough in the past, now they are relatively healthy and have added Gerald Wallace ... I expect a loss as most of the others here, but I would like to see a competitive game and no blowout please

[Budkin]

I'm not expecting a win but these guys need to show some balls and Bonner and Dick need to show the fuck up.

[Strategic]

Come on people! In the last minute of the Nugget's game Manu falls on his ass on the defensive end, and then has enough strength in his legs on the offensive end to run to the ball, but not enough strength in his arms to pass the ball to someone who was wide open. Does anyone here not know that when he got that ball he was not going to pass it, come hell or high water? With everything that has been said and written this year about Timmy Duncan accepting his role on this team and doing what was necessary to help this team win(and Timmy is the one on this team with the most rings), maybe Ginobili could take a cue. Tonight Aldridge gets some points, so what, keep a body on him, run the offense, and put the ball in the right hands. Tonight the Spurs keep the lead!!

[DrSteffo]

I heard we didnt win in portland since 2008? About time if that's true but will be very, very tough.

[TE]

Time to win a game that is deemed unwinnable. I have faith.

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignment
Fri. Mar. 25
San Antonio @ Portland: Ron Garretson; Pat Fraher; Mark Lindsay

[tuncaboylu]

We will win today.

[Pauleta14]

When Tony went down, we went out and lost the first game of the road trip, then came roaring back and won the next. I expect everyone to step up tomorrow and secure a hard fought win.

the next one was against the Cavs... :lol

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/advanced-scouting-san-antonio-spurs-portland-trail-blazers-3-25-2)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/advanced-scouting-san-antonio-spurs-portland-trail-blazers-3-25-2

[Beaverfuzz]

Like I said before, Portland shoots near 50% for the game, they win big. If not, Spurs can easily win this game. Last game in Portland, Aldridge got an early foul and then I don't believe he got another one until the 4th quarter if at all.

Get him in foul trouble. Let Batun or Roy beat you.

[PDXSpursFan]

3 things need to happen for a win:

1) Double Aldridge
2) Keep Blazers i<34% from 3's
3) Spurs shoot >44% from 3's

[duncan228]

San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers game preview (http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/san_antonio_spurs_at_portland.html)
By Jason Quick
Oregonian Sports

About the Spurs: The Spurs are coming off a 115-112 loss at Denver on Wednesday. They are 12-1 after a loss this season ... The Denver loss was San Antonio's first game without injured center Tim Duncan, who has a sprained left ankle. Splitter, a rookie, started in Duncan's place and had four points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes ... Reserve Gary Neal had a career-high 25 points against Denver ... The Spurs have the best record in the NBA and have recorded their 12th consecutive 50-win season ... Gregg Popovich has coached San Antonio since 1996 and has 793 wins, two shy of Boston's Red Auerbach for all-time wins with one team. Utah's Jerry Sloan holds the record with 1,127 ... The Spurs are the NBA's top three-point shooting team, hitting 40.1 percent. Only eight NBA teams have finished a season shooting 40 percent or better from three point range, most recently the 2003-2004 Sacramento Kings.

About the Blazers: Portland has won five in a row at home ... Center Marcus Camby said he will play on his sprained right ankle. Camby missed Tuesday's game against Washington after rolling the ankle on Sunday in Los Angeles ... The Blazers are one game behind their pace of last season, when they won 50 games ... The Blazers have scored at least 110 points in three consecutive home games for the first time since 2002 ... The Blazers are 29-1 when shooting a higher percentage than their opponent and 17-2 at home when shooting 45 percent or better.

Series history: Portland has beaten San Antonio in the Rose Garden five consecutive times and has beaten the Spurs six out of the last seven times overall ... The teams have split two games this season, with the Blazers winning the last matchup, 99-86 on Feb. 1 behind Aldridge's 40 points and 11 rebounds. San Antonio hasn't scored 100 points against Portland in 10 games. All-time, the Spurs lead 71-69, but the Blazers lead 44-26 in Portland.

Injuries: Spurs forward Tim Duncan (sprained left ankle) is out and forward DeJuan Blair (sprained left wrist) is probable. Blazers center Marcus Camby (sprained right ankle) is probable and center Greg Oden (left knee) and guard E. Williams (both knees) are out.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/san_antonio_spurs_at_portland.html

[DesignatedT]

My guess is we lose pretty big tonight.

[GrandeDavid]

Dont be such soft wimps. The Spurs can win tonight.

[PDXSpursFan]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignment
Fri. Mar. 25
San Antonio @ Portland: Ron Garretson; Pat Fraher; Mark Lindsay

Stern has personally instructed the refs to make sure Aldridge has a career night. A ton of relief funds for Japan is a good thing for Stern's NBA image

[tlongII]

That is bullshit. Japan would get a million times more relief if everyone gave what they could afford. That shallow bastard thought he could use their HORROR as a publicity stunt. 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS is nothing to that cocksucker if he truly gave a goddamn. I hope we fucking kill that pretentious bastard tomorrow!

Weak. Sauce.

[Sean Cagney]

Guys stop to be so pessimists we are 12-1 after loosing a game or something like that. Of course Duncan is not here this is another reason to step up.

Sometimes it's reality! Not pessimism. Duncan is not there and Portland is very tough at home for us (Other teams as well), don't see them winning this game and thats just reality.

[Budkin]

Dont be such soft wimps. The Spurs can win tonight.

I'm really trying to believe, it's just hard to imagine us winning here with no one to go up against LA. I guess if we could shut everyone else down we'll have a fighter's chance.