Spurs at Rockets Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Friday, 7:30 CST.


Friday: Spurs (57-18) at Rockets (39-36) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/31/friday-spurs-57-18-at-rockets-39-36/)
Mike Monroe

The Spurs already have clinched the season series with Houston for a 14th consecutive season, and are looking to sweep the season series, 4-0...The Spurs have lost their last three road games, but still are tied for third-best road record in NBA at 24-13.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/31/friday-spurs-57-18-at-rockets-39-36/

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


Healing stars report no problems (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/31/healing-stars-report-no-problems/)
Mike Monroe

...Power forward Tim Duncan, who missed the previous four games with a sprained left ankle, said the injured joint felt good and presented no problems.

Point guard Tony Parker, who sat out Monday with a bruised left patella, had no residual pain.

Shooting guard Manu Ginobili, who sat Monday with a left thigh contusion, said his leg felt a little weak, but didn’t hurt.



...McDyess was relatively certain he would suit up tonight in Houston.

“It’s just a little sore,” he said afterwards. “It’s nothing serious, just a little tweak. The initial pain was a lot worse, but it went away. I’ll ice it on the plane and keep the swelling down. I’m pretty sure it will be OK.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/31/healing-stars-report-no-problems/

[cherylsteele]

IMHO....this is a must-win game for the Spurs.

[Thomas82]

IMHO....this is a must-win game for the Spurs.

No doubt about it!!

[Giuseppe]

Rockets:::take your time, do it good.

I hope they break your ass.

[duncan228]

San Antonio (57-18) at Houston (39-36) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011040110)
Tipoff: 8:30 pm EDT Fri Apr 1, 2011
TV: KENS, KTXH
By Brett Huston

Sitting three games out of the Western Conference’s final playoff spot with seven to play, the Houston Rockets are entering desperation mode.

Even with the NBA’s best record, the San Antonio Spurs might be in the same boat.

With their grip on the West’s top seed seemingly slipping by the day, the reeling Spurs try to avoid their first six-game losing streak in 14 years Friday night and complete a four-game season sweep of the Rockets at the Toyota Center.

Just 10 days ago, San Antonio (57-18) was cruising toward home-court advantage throughout the playoffs while looking like a lock to surpass its franchise-record win total of 63, set in 2005-06.

Suddenly, it’s not even guaranteed to win the Southwest Division. The Spurs stumbled through four consecutive losses without Tim Duncan heading into Thursday’s visit from Boston, and the return of the two-time MVP wasn’t enough. Duncan had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Manu Ginobili also came back after missing a game, but San Antonio shot 43.3 percent in a 107-97 loss.

The skid is San Antonio’s longest since Duncan’s been in the league. It hasn’t dropped that many consecutive games since its last six before his arrival, April 10-20, 1997.

“Of course we want to be No. 1. We don’t want to give it way just because we like being underdogs,” Ginobili said. “We want to win it. We put ourselves in an unbelievable situation.”

The Spurs still lead the division by four games over Dallas, but the Lakers have closed to within 2 1/2 games - two in the loss column - for the West’s top seed.

Facing the Rockets (39-36) could help San Antonio get back on track. The Spurs have averaged 115.7 points in winning all three games this season.

Ginobili (23.0 points per game) and Tony Parker (19.7) have led the way, but Houston also hasn’t had an answer for Richard Jefferson. San Antonio’s starting small forward has averaged 16.7 points and made 18 of his 26 shots (69.2 percent).

As much as the Spurs depend on Ginobili, Parker and Duncan to be successful, Jefferson’s been just about as valuable. San Antonio is 17-1 when Jefferson scores at least 15 points.

The Rockets play five of their final seven games at home, and they’ll need all the advantages they can find with Memphis holding a three-game lead for the West’s eighth and final playoff spot.

The Toyota Center has been good to Houston lately. It’s won five straight there since a 115-107 loss to the Spurs on March 12, but couldn’t make up ground on the Grizzlies during a three-game road trip. The Rockets lost two of three, falling 108-97 Wednesday at Philadelphia while shooting just 41.0 percent.

“We’ve got to win every game from here on out, it’s as simple as that,” guard Kyle Lowry said. “It’s pretty much do-or-die right now.”

Lowry’s certainly doing his part, even while battling a sore left foot. Houston’s point guard averaged 19.8 points and 8.1 assists in March, easily the best month of his five-year career.

The Rockets are 17-1 at home when they allow 102 points or fewer, and 5-13 when they surrender 103 or more.

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

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Manu Ginobili SA 17.8
Kevin Martin Hou 23.1

Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 9.0
Luis Scola Hou 8.1

Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.6
Kyle Lowry Hou 6.6

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

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

San Antonio 57-18 1st Southwest / 1st West 103.3 97.7 Road 24-13 Lost 5 4-6
Houston 39-36 5th Southwest / 9th West 106.0 104.0 Home 22-14 Lost 1 6-4

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011040110

[Sean Cagney]

Okay then we score 102 and lose by two then lol! Spurs are in some deep shit now they obviously have to win tomorrow, will they! TIME WILL TELL.

[DesignatedT]

must win

[IronMaxipad]

Go Spurs Go

:lmao:lmao

[ElNono]

They should win this game, no excuses...

[4>0rings]

loss book it

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignment
Fri. Apr. 1
San Antonio @ Houston: Dick:bangBavetta; Matt Boland; Derrick Collins

[tdunk21]

with timmy playin more minutes yesterday, i am guessin tiago will get some minutes tonight.....hope neal can make his shots tonight and not miss like yesterday

[jjktkk]

with timmy playin more minutes yesterday, i am guessin tiago will get some minutes tonight.....hope neal can make his shots tonight and not miss like yesterday

Neals actually been in a slump of late. I wonder if hes hitting the rookie wall?

[cherylsteele]

Spurs 105
Rockets 99

Rockets/Spurs games are always close no matter the circumstances.

Bonner hits a late three to put the game away, and he becomes a Robert Horry clone.












I can dream, can't I?

[Giuseppe]

Neals actually been in a slump of late. I wonder if hes hitting the rookie wall?

Maybe his conscience is bothering him over busting that girl's balloon knot.

[tdunk21]

Neals actually been in a slump of late. I wonder if hes hitting the rookie wall?

novak should have been given some playin time yesterday since neal and bonner missed from the 3 pt....Rj was pretty good shootin 3's yesterday.....

i hope neal wont miss any shots goin further..i dont want to see him in pop's doghouse.....

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets – Something to prove? (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets 7:30 CST April 1, 2011

Even after 5 straight losses, the Spurs about given approximately an 80% chance to clinch the top seed. The Rockets playoff odds are listed in the neighborhood of 10%. Houston is also 13-5 in their last 18 games. Their best record has coincided with increases in minutes and offensive production from Hayes, Lowry and Budinger.

In the month of March, Lowry has averaged 20 PPG and 8 APG, while making 3 treys per contest and shooting a high percentage from the field. Meanwhile, Hayes have become a surprisingly effective passer and an efficient finisher. Additionally, Chase Budinger has seen his playing time skyrocket to 33 MPG in March. The Rockets have found the combination that works. Meanwhile, the Spurs have shown some signs of sputtering.

The first 4 losses in the Spurs losing streak are easily explainable. They were all against quality opposition without Duncan and, often times, other starters. Last night’s loss to the Celtics was also a challenging matchup. Was rust a factor? Did the Celtics finally get their act together? Or should we chalk it up as 1 loss with all the pieces in place. Whatever the reason, the Spurs will eventually have to get things right before the playoffs begin. Tonight’s back-to-back road contest will be another big roadblock for the Spurs.

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-houston-rockets-4-1#more-13460)

[Chomag]

This should be a very easy win. IT might not prove anything but a win would boost Spurs much needed confidence and hopefully get them rolling again.

[tdunk21]

hill has got to show up in big games....am starting to think, hill only plays well if tony is not playing....last season tony was out couple games and hill filled in very well....this season tony missed some and hill filled in pretty well...whats with hill....

[Strategic]

The Spurs have not played or been coached like a team that's really needed a win for over a week now. In every one of those games one team played like it was the playoffs and the other played like they've already accomplished something this year. Guess what Spurs, there is still work to be done and it needs to start in Houston.


:flag::ihit:flag::ihit:flag: :lobt::lobt2::lobt2::lobt: