Spurs vs Suns Previews

[duncan228]

Game is Sunday, 12:00 CST on ABC.


Phoenix (37-38) at San Antonio (57-19) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011040324)
Tipoff: 1:00 pm EDT Sun Apr 3, 2011
TV: ABC
By Noey Kupchan

The San Antonio Spurs recently sat comfortably atop the Western Conference but have seen that lead dwindle due to their worst funk of the Tim Duncan era.

The Spurs will look to get back on track in their pursuit of the conference’s top seed when they host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

As of March 21, San Antonio (57-19) sat seven games in front of the Los Angeles Lakers for the top spot in the West.

The Spurs, however, have gone on to lose six straight, including a 119-114 overtime defeat at Houston on Friday night. That loss combined with another Lakers win dropped San Antonio’s conference lead to 1 1/2 games over the two-time defending champions.

“They are all tough losses now,” Tony Parker said. “We are not making plays at the end of games. We have to stay positive and hope it turns our way. We’ll see what we’re made of.”

Poor health can no longer be used as an excuse, either. The losing streak began when Duncan went down with a sprained ankle, and injuries also kept Parker and Manu Ginobili out of action Monday in a loss to Portland. All three returned Thursday for a loss to Boston, and each member of the trio had at least 23 points Friday.

Duncan has averaged 21.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in the last two games while Parker has averaged 27.0 points, but defense has been the team’s biggest problem. San Antonio has allowed averages of 50.3 percent shooting and 108.3 points - 10.3 more than its season mark - during the losing streak.

The Spurs had never lost more than four straight since Duncan joined the team in 1997-98. They had five losing streaks of six or more the previous season.

“We’re going to see what we are made out of, if we can dig down deeper,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “We’ll see if we are worth the way we played this season or not.”

The Suns (37-38), who rank fourth in the league with 105.1 points per game, averaged just 98.5 during a four-game skid before defeating the Clippers 111-98 on Friday night.

Phoenix is 10th in the West and unlikely to return to the postseason, a year after sweeping San Antonio in the second round of the playoffs.

The Spurs have won both meetings this season - only by a combined 10 points - and each team scored at least 110 points in each. Duncan averaged 22.5 points on 70.0 percent shooting and 16.0 boards.

The Suns have lost five of six on the road and are beginning a five-game trip Sunday.

It’s unclear if Steve Nash will play after sitting out Friday with flu-like symptoms. Phoenix had been 0-4 without him before beating the Clippers as Aaron Brooks, acquired from Houston prior to the trade deadline, started at point guard in place of Nash and was one of six Suns to score in double figures.

“Obviously you are not going to replace Steve, but I thought they did a good job of running the team, being aggressive offensively and then making plays,” coach Alvin Gentry said.

Phoenix is just 15 of 65 (23.1 percent) from 3-point range over the last four games, but San Antonio hasn’t been much better lately at 26.0 percent in its last three.

The Spurs, shooting a league-high 39.6 percent from 3-point range, have lost 10 of 16 when shooting under 31.0 percent from beyond the arc.

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

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Steve Nash Pho 15.3
Manu Ginobili SA 17.8

Rebounds
Marcin Gortat Pho 7.6
Tim Duncan SA 9.1

Assists
Steve Nash Pho 11.4
Tony Parker SA 6.6

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

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

Phoenix 37-38 2nd Pacific / 10th West 105.1 105.6 Road 16-20 Won 1 4-6
San Antonio 57-19 1st Southwest / 1st West 103.4 98.0 Home 33-5 Lost 6 3-7

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2011040324

[duncan228]

Suns, Spurs have diverged this season (http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/04/02/11/Suns-Spurs-have-diverged-this-season/landing_suns.html?blockID=496001&feedID=3801)
Randy Hill
Fox Sports Arizona

As co-stars in a mutual-antagonism society, one team is working on a six-game losing streak while the other recently put a four-game skid to bed.

Now we can wave bye-bye to the similarities.

The San Antonio Spurs -- the Phoenix Suns' play date on Sunday morning in Texas -- are backing into the playoffs with enough conviction to generate a beeping noise. They still own the NBA's best record, but seem to be caught in a tractor beam operated by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Things are a lot less fluid for the Suns, who recently shifted into reverse as a method to RSVP for the draft lottery.

It's amazing how badly things can be twisted in less than 11 months.

Right, you remember the halcyon days of the 2010 NBA playoffs, a glorious time when the Suns smoked the Spurs in four. Goran Dragic ripped through the San Antonio defense like Bruce Lee saving the day in the final act of "Enter the Dragon." Just for a moment, the horror of Robert Horry going octagon on Steve Nash slipped away. But just for a moment.

Anyway, as the 2011 postseason comes to within spittin' distance, the Spurs seem to be going rope-a-dope on the Western Conference. The Suns are digging in for a run at finishing with a winning record, while their fans are searching for good-luck charms that can be used to ward off evil ping-pong-combination spirits in Secaucus, N.J.

The reasons behind these fortune changes are fairly simple.

In Phoenix, Suns' physicians wouldn't give their long-term blessing to the knee of free agent go-to-guy Amar'e Stoudemire. So Amar'e -- who, speculation has it, really wanted to be a goner all along -- became the go-to-New York guy. There are other factors that contributed to the current 37-38 record and we'll get to them in a bit.

In San Antonio, the Spurs have experienced limited roster changes and -- until Tim Duncan's bum ankle -- have been pretty healthy. There are other factors that contributed to the current 57-19 record and we'll get to them in a bit.

Keep reading... (http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/04/02/11/Suns-Spurs-have-diverged-this-season/landing_suns.html?blockID=496001&feedID=3801)

http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/04/02/11/Suns-Spurs-have-diverged-this-season/landing_suns.html?blockID=496001&feedID=3801

[Fireball]

If Steve Nash isn't playing, this can even become more embarassing. But seriously, this six game losing streak happened against very good teams (yes, Houston is a good team at home). Spurs had chances to win all these six games but faltered in the 4th quarter. Now the Phoenix Suns come to the AT&T Center and if the Spurs lose this one, I will lose confidence in the team as well. As it is an early game airing on national television and seeing Aaron Brooks playing better recently this has every ingredience to become an upset.

As the Suns are not one of the top teams, maybe Tiago will get more playing time. I cannot stand seeing Matt Bonner playing a whole 4th quarter while clanking one three after another ...
Go Spurs Go !!!

[Giuseppe]

Nash better not pussy out here.

I'm countin' on the Suns to push this to 7 in-a-row.

[Caeman]

What do you guys think?

Will the Spurs give up 60+ points in the first half again?

[LakerHater]

http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/46.gif

Well lets see what Spurs got.

[4>0rings]

Let me take a shot in the dark. Bonner gets 25 mins, and sucks. Tiago gets 5 mins and does what he can in those minutes. We will be in a position to win the game and some dumbass turnovers will kill our chance and the Spurs will lose.


Sound about right?

[polandprzem]

Gortat with 25 15


Book it!

[BRs.Ganso]

Sincerely, I think Spurs losses sequences will finish tomorrow! Hope Tiago plays... :depressed :toast

[Kamala]

Pop's bag o tricks:
1. Call Spurs soft
2. Bring Manu off the bench

[siraulo23]

if nash doesnt play, here's hoping brooks-gortat pick n roll/brooks-frye pick n pop dont burn the spurs

brooks will prolly have a career night

[timtonymanu]

I expect Jared Dudley to go off like he usually does against the Spurs.

Frye will probably shoot 6-6 from the 3 pt line.

IMO, the Spurs won't drop this. But I said that about the last 4 games. :bang

[Bill_Brasky]

I'm nervous about playing the Suns. This is definitely a new low.

[IronMaxipad]

7 in a row!

Go Spurs Go

:lmao

[Budkin]

Nash better not pussy out here.

I'm countin' on the Suns to push this to 7 in-a-row.

Man you must be downright giddy at this point. I don't blame you... I would be too if this was the Lakers.

[Budkin]

Time was limping around most of OT... I have a feeling he won't be playing.

[Jelloisjigglin]

7 in a row!

Go Spurs Go

:lmao


lol i'd be fucking shocked if the Spurs don't win this one especially if Nash is out, obviously. Spurs at home, desperate, easy win tbh.

[crc21209]

I can't think of a better team to break this shit ass losing streak against. Do it Spurs.....

[KaiRMD1]

Heh Heh, now everybody is singing Tiago's praises after counting him out. Here's to a win on Sunday, it's going to be a win. The guys are gonna be like enough is enough and it's time for a change! CASH BAR!

[spurs10]

Time was limping around most of OT... I have a feeling he won't be playing.
I'm very concerned about this. We've seen how we do without Tim. Good lord we need a win and for Denver to go Thugget on the %#@!%ing Lakers.
:flag:

[cherylsteele]

I said this about the Houston game....this is a must win, but even more so.
The "D" actually shows up this time.

Spurs 105
Suns 95

[Budkin]

I'm too beat down at this point... I think we drop this one close as well.

[spurs10]

I'm too beat down at this point... I think we drop this one close as well.

Won't happen...we got this.
:ihit

[Juggity]

Won't happen...we got this.
:ihit

I'll believe that when I see it.

[timtonymanu]

Fuck! Just saw that this game is early. Spurs suck on morning games.

[spurs10]

Fuck! Just saw that this game is early. Spurs suck on morning games.

Time to turn this shit around!
:ihit:flag::ihit:flag:

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

An extremely crucial win. Every loss is an advantage for the Lakers. Spurs do have a pretty easy cakewalk schedule for the rest of the season with Kings, Hawks, Suns (again), and Jazz. Lakers are the only last tough team.

[GrandeDavid]

I'm not even watching the Spurs until the playoffs. Too busy. Hope they win out, but not holding my breath. I hope they can somehow find a way to win tomorrow. I'm probably asking too much.

[DrSteffo]

Nash better not pussy out here.

I'm countin' on the Suns to push this to 7 in-a-row.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2011/04/02/20110402steve-nash-does-not-travel-phoenix-suns-san-antonio.html

[Giuseppe]

Figures. I finally want the humps to win a game, and they double cross me.

[duncan228]

Advanced Scouting: Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs – Falling apart? (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs 12:00 CST April 3, 2011

6 straight losses. The Spurs appear to be sucked into a whirlpool, unaware of which way is up. They still own the top record in the NBA and still have a good chance of finishing with that honor, but panic is beginning to rear its ugly head. What do these losses mean? Can this be corrected?

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-stats-advanced-scouting-phoenix-suns-4-3#more-13484)

[sa_kid20]

JMcDonald_SAEN Steve Nash out today vs Spurs with flu-like illness, says our guy @paulcoro
24 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/jmcdonald_saen

[duncan228]

Preview: Phoenix Suns (37-38) at San Antonio Spurs (57-19) (http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/04/03/preview-phoenix-suns-37-38-at-san-antonio-spurs-57-19/)
by Michael Schwartz
Valley of the Suns

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/04/03/preview-phoenix-suns-37-38-at-san-antonio-spurs-57-19/

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


Sunday: Suns (37-38) at Spurs (57-19) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/02/sunday-suns-37-38-at-spurs-57-19/)
Jeff McDonald

...Spurs enter game on six-game losing streak, their longest since dropping final six games of 1996-97 season. They have not lost seven in a row since Feb. 23-March 5 of same season...

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/02/sunday-suns-37-38-at-spurs-57-19/

[Giuseppe]

Advanced Scouting: Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs – Falling apart? (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of Hell

The Spurs appear to be sucked into a whirlpool, unaware of which way is up.

:lmao

[shelshor]

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignment
Sun. Apr. 3
Phoenix @ San Antonio: Steve Javie; Bennie Adams; Kane Fitzgerald

[silverblk mystix]

Spurs got this...Lakers are being toyed with...just enough for them to keep burning themselves out a little more...

[Giuseppe]

Spurs got this...Lakers are being toyed with...just enough for them to keep burning themselves out a little more...

I kinda agree with the guy who thinks you don't know which way is up.

tee, hee.

[duncan228]

Steve Nash out for Suns as Spurs try to end slide (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/03/steve-nash-out-for-suns-as-spurs-try-to-end-slide/)
Matt Moore

Good for the Spurs, bad for the Suns, terrible for ratings.

Steve Nash will miss today’s matinée against the Spurs as he sits out his second consecutive game with flu-like symptoms. Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports:


The Suns don’t have Steve Nash, who is home ill with flulike symptoms for a second consecutive game.

The Suns are on the brink of elimination today, whether they lose or New Orleans wins at home against Indiana.

The Suns are playing the motivated Spurs, whose six-game skid is the longest since Tim Duncan has been on the team and has cut their West lead on the Lakers to 1 ½ games.

via azcentral.com blogs – Coro’s Orange Slices – PaulCoro – Suns on Sunday ABC without Nash again (http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/124236).

Basically, the Suns are screwed here. Nash is their best player, and without him this season, they are 1-4. It’s not terribly shocking that the Suns are going to miss the playoffs (barring a miracle) after losing Amar’e Stoudemire and then making a midseason trade of their second best player (Jason Richards0n) for the able Marcin Gortat and… Vince Carter… but it’s disappointing nonetheless.

Perhaps seeing what this team looks like without Nash will be enough to push management to actually reform the roster as something of an up-and-coming unit. The “scrappy underdogs” thing is good for about a season and a half, but at some point you need to get serious about the future or you’re going to wind up in purgatory.

It’s also yet another sign of the times. A year ago the Suns were on their way to a Western Conference Finals appearance. Now they’re taking on water with no clear plan for the future. It’s been an intense season.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/03/steve-nash-out-for-suns-as-spurs-try-to-end-slide/

[Giuseppe]

"A year ago the Suns were on their way to a Western Conference Finals appearance. Now they’re taking on water with no clear plan for the future."

Spurs have some fresh experience taking on ballast themselves.:lol

[BRs.Ganso]

Sincerely, I think Spurs losses sequences will finish tomorrow! Hope Tiago plays... :depressed :toast

I know the future! :lol