Spurs vs. Lakers Previews

[duncan228]

Some local stuff is beginning to appear. I expect the national preview tonight, after the Lakers/Rockets game. I'll add things as they show up.

Hit the link to listen to Monroe.

Audio: Mike Monroe on Spurs-Lakers rivalry
By Joe Alexander

Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe talks about how the Spurs vs. the Lakers stacks up as a rivalry, last season's Spurs-Lakers playoff series, big moments in Spurs vs. Lakers history and the significance of Thursday's Spurs-Lakers game at the AT&T Center.

[duncan228]

Lakers play at San Antonio on Thursday
Spurs will be trying to prove they can still play at the same level as L.A.
By Mark Heisler

LAKERS AT SAN ANTONIO
5 p.m., Thursday, TNT

This reminder of days of yore and possible preview of things to come doesn't mean what it did, at least to the Lakers, who lead the West by 8 1/2 games.

Of course, when you factor in the Spurs' desire to show they're still on the Lakers' level, or at least can reach it, it should be a real test.

The Lakers' real challenge now is winning enough games to clinch the No. 1 overall seeding and staying sharp, with no race in the West to keep them awake.

When they started December 7-4, with Phil Jackson letting them work out their issues at their leisure, they put on lackluster performances almost every time out.

Since the Dec. 23 win in New Orleans that preceded their Christmas victory over the Celtics, they've been better, going 28-7.

Nevertheless, they still have five long weeks left.

[duncan228]

Thursday: Lakers (51-13) at Spurs (43-20)
Express-News

Time: 7 p.m.
TV: TNT
Radio: WOAI-AM 1200, KCOR-AM 1350

STARTING LINEUPS
POS - SPURS - LAKERS

PG - 9 Tony Parker (6-2, 8th yr) - 2 Derek Fisher (6-1, 13th yr)
Parker has led Spurs in scoring in nine consecutive games.

SG - 8 Roger Mason Jr. (6-5, 5th yr) - 24 Kobe Bryant (6-6, 13th yr)
Bryant averaging 31.5 points in 17 games since Bynum injury.

SF - 4 Michael Finley (6-7, 14th yr) - 4 Luke Walton (6-8, 6th yr)
For the time being, Finley has passed Allen Iverson for 37th on all-time minutes list.

PF - 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 12th yr) - 7 Lamar Odom (6-10, 10th yr)
Since return from injured list, Duncan shooting 43 percent (34 of 79).

C - 15 Matt Bonner (6-10, 5th yr) - 16 Pau Gasol (7-0, 8th yr)
Lakers' size might mean more of Kurt Thomas at this spot, for defensive purposes.

SPURS RESERVES

12 Bruce Bowen, 6-7, 13th yr
1 Malik Hairston, G, 6-6, 1st yr
3 George Hill, G, 6-2, 1st yr
7 Fabricio Oberto, C/F, 6-10, 4th yr
40 Kurt Thomas, C/F, 6-9, 14th yr
5 Ime Udoka, G/F, 6-5, 5th yr
11 Jacque Vaughn, G, 6-1, 12th yr

LAKERS RESERVES

3 Trevor Ariza, F, 6-8, 5th yr
12 Shannon Brown, G, 6-4, 3rd yr
5 Jordan Farmar, G, 6-2, 3rd yr
28 D.J. Mbenga, C, 7-0, 5th yr
6 Adam Morrison, F, 6-8, 3rd yr
21 Josh Powell, F, 6-9, 4th yr
18 Sasha Vujacic, G, 6-7, 5th yr

COACHES

Spurs: Gregg Popovich
Lakers: Phil Jackson

INJURIES

Spurs: Ian Mahinmi (right ankle surgery) and Manu Ginobili (stress reaction, right ankle) are out.

Lakers: Andrew Bynum (torn MCL, right knee) is out.

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS

Spurs: Mahinmi, Ginobili, Drew Gooden.

Lakers: Sun Yue, Bynum.

NOTABLE

This is the rubber game of the season series between Spurs and Lakers. Spurs won 112-111 on Jan. 14 at the AT&T Center on Mason's 3-point play with 10.5 seconds left. Lakers returned favor on Jan. 25, winning 99-85 in L.A. ... Lakers are trying to take only second regular-season series since 2003-04. ... Over last 10 games, Spurs rank first in the NBA in field-goal percentage defense at 41.7 percent.

- Jeff McDonald

[Amuseddaysleeper]

It really really sucks that both times the Lakers play in SA, both occasions called for it to be on the second night of a b2b.

Oh well.

[phyzik]

I want to get the win but I also want Timmy to rest as much as possible.

[DrHouse]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

[SpursDynasty]

In the last 70 games, playoffs and regular season the record between the Spurs and Lakers is 35-35....That's beginning with the lockout 1999 season...

It's a rivalry, but the Lakers are just winning games at the right times.

[Ghazi]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

So I suppose Boston/LA isn't a rivalry?

[Brutalis]

There's a lot of emotion in this game, but is really just a preview of things to come.

[peskypesky]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

Because y'all haven't won a trophy since before Shaq left (7 years ago)....and we've won THREE. Not one. Not two. THREE.

[Spursmania]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

Why don't you call Mike Monroe and ask him? I'm sure he'll have time to sit with you and discuss these matters.

[Russ]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

I remember being at the games in LA for the Spurs' playoff clinching wins in '95, '99, and '03. That's at least three by my count -- and those are just series that the Spurs clinched in LA.

(The '99 sweep was the inglorious send off of the "Fabulous Forum.")

[Morg1411]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

How is it you're the only moron who doesn't think it's a rivalry?

[peskypesky]

How is it you're the only moron who doesn't think it's a rivalry?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spurs-Lakers_rivalry

[duncan228]

Los Angeles (51-13) at San Antonio (43-20 ) Preview
Game info: 8:00 pm EDT Thu Mar 12, 2009
TV: TNT
By Dan Pieringer

After some recent road struggles against other contenders in the Western Conference, the first-place Los Angeles Lakers had to feel good about taking down one of the conference’s hottest teams in their last game.

They just hope to have something left for another big matchup in the finale of a three-game trip.

The Lakers look to build on a hard-fought win when they visit the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night in the final regular-season matchup between the teams with the best records in the West.

Los Angeles (51-13) lost consecutive road games against playoff hopefuls Denver, Phoenix and Portland before snapping the skid with a 102-96 win at Houston on Wednesday.

Kobe Bryant scored 31 of his 37 points in the second half - including 18 in the fourth quarter - as the Lakers overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to snap the Rockets’ 12-game home winning streak.

Most of the postgame conversation surrounded a heated fourth-quarter exchange between Bryant and Rockets forward Ron Artest, who continued to jaw at each other the rest of the game.

“It wasn’t much of a battle,” said Bryant, who helped limit Artest to 11 points and 4-for-16 shooting. “I kicked his (butt) tonight.”

Beating the team with the third-best record in the West may have been confidence-inspiring, but the Lakers will have to regroup fast for this meeting with the second-best. The Spurs (43-20) were idle after defeating Charlotte 100-86 at home Tuesday.

The Lakers are 11-4 in the second half of back-to-backs, including a 112-111 loss in their only previous trip to San Antonio on Jan. 14.

That win started the Spurs’ 9-1 run at AT&T Center. After dropping three of four overall from Feb. 27-March 4, San Antonio has returned home to win three straight by an average of 13.7 points.

“We’ve been playing pretty solid,” forward Kurt Thomas said after Tuesday’s victory. “We hit a few bumps in the road when we lost a couple of games. But I think we’ve bounced back and hopefully we can show that on Thursday night.”

Manu Ginobili led San Antonio with 27 points and Tim Duncan and Tony Parker added 20 apiece as the Spurs shot a season-high 57.1 percent from the field in their home win over the Lakers.

However, the Spurs looked like a different team in their rematch Jan. 25, shooting 37.5 percent in a 99-85 loss in Los Angeles.

Ginobili resumed some basketball activities this week, but he’s expected to miss his 13th straight game Thursday because of a stress reaction in his right ankle.

With Ginobili sidelined, Parker has stepped up to average 26.1 points and 7.6 assists while shooting 51.6 percent from the field over his last nine games.

“Tony continues to be aggressive and play as the All-Star he is,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after Parker had 21 points and seven assists against the Bobcats. “A lot of people joined him tonight and we played good, solid defense. … Now we gear up for another game. They’re going to keep coming. The challenge continues.”

The Lakers will get starting forward Lamar Odom back for this game. Odom, held to 3.8 points over his last four games, missed Wednesday’s win while serving a one-game suspension for leaving the bench during an altercation in Monday’s loss in Portland.

Notes

Lakers:

The Lakers snapped a three-game road losing streak. ... The Lakers scored 16 points in the second quarter, a season low. ... G Kobe Bryant scored 31 of his 37 points in the second half. ... F Josh Powell started and scored 17 points.

Spurs:

San Antonio improved its all-time record against Charlotte to 9-1. ... The Spurs will face the Lakers on Thursday without G Manu Ginobili or newly acquired F Drew Gooden, who will both be sidelined with injuries. ... G Roger Mason made five 3-pointers.

Team Stat Leaders

Points

Kobe Bryant LAL 28.0
Tony Parker SA 21.0

Rebounds

Pau Gasol LAL 9.4
Tim Duncan SA 10.6

Assists

Kobe Bryant LAL 4.9
Tony Parker SA 6.7

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

Los Angeles 51-13 1st Pacific / 1st West 108.4 100.5 Road 22-9 Won 1 7-3

San Antonio 43-20 1st Southwest / 2nd West 97.6 93.4 Home 23-8 Won 3 7-3

[NewJerSpur]

It really really sucks that both times the Lakers play in SA, both occasions called for it to be on the second night of a b2b.

Oh well.

Yeah, I hate for them to have excuses when we bust their asses. Sorry, can't help but talk a little smack, but should be a good one as always between these two gladiators.

[Man of Steel]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

When the Spurs made Kobe cry like a little girl...

[Man of Steel]

[Russ]

Someone said the Lakers had a 9-2 playoff series edge against the Spurs.

A little digging reveals two problems with this statistic:

(1) The Lakers have won less than 9 series against the Spurs.

(2) The Spurs have won more than two series against the Lakers.

This guy must be from the Rush Limbaugh fact-checking squad.

Here's a true fact -- the Spurs have won three les since the Lakers won their last.

[Spork KIller]

Someone said the Lakers had a 9-2 playoff series edge against the Spurs.

A little digging reveals two problems with this statistic:

(1) The Lakers have won less than 9 series against the Spurs.

(2) The Spurs have won more than two series against the Lakers.

This guy must be from the Rush Limbaugh fact-checking squad.

Here's a true fact -- the Spurs have won three les since the Lakers won their last.

You want facts asswipe?

Here are your facts which it's almost the same:

The Spurs and Lakers have met in seven times in the playoffs with L.A. holding 20-10 advantage in games played …

[duncan228]

I edited out Portland and Houston from this.

Discussion: The Lakers Upcoming Road Trip: Glory or Bust.
by: Lakers4Kobe

So we come to the end of a small home stand and the start of what can be labelled as ‘the toughest, shortest road trip of the season.’ 3 games in 4 nights, starting in Portland on Monday night, then advancing to Houston on Wednesday night and San Antonio on Thursday night. To say the least, it will test the Lakers to their extremes, playing in arenas that are notoriously hostile towards them, especially in Portland and San Antonio. For the Lakers to come back home with 3 wins it will require an extreme amount of effort and focus on the defensive end, and no errant or stupid plays on offense, something the bench will need to take into consideration despite their excellent night against the Timberwolves.

So what is the key to beating these teams? Well lets have a look:

San Antonio: Without a doubt this will be the toughest game of the road trip. The Spurs are one of the best teams in the league and while people were willing to write them off as ‘over the hill’ at the start of the season, they have proven doubters wrong again and have played at such a high level, they’ve moved back into second place in the West, although they are still 8.5 games behind the Lakers, but that is a story for another time.

There are three players on this team to look out for: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. As of now, it seems like Ginobli won’t play in the game, but this is no excuse for the Lakers, as the spurs have a more than competent replacement in Roger Mason Jr, who burned the Lakers in their last meeting.

Tim Duncan will be guarded by Gasol, a difficult ask. Gasol has to have his best game of the road trip against Duncan and he has to shut him down. Duncan is the epitome of the consistent player and 99% of the time he will get you 20 points and 10 rebounds. If Gasol can hold Duncan to 10 points and 10 rebounds, it will be a solid effort from him. Odom can use the help defense to make life harder for Duncan, but he can’t lose sight of his own man to help out Gasol. It will be interesting to see how this matchup plays out.

Fisher will have the duty of guarding Tony Parker, which you would have to give to Parker. The guy is one of the best at driving into the lane and has one deadly teardrop. Fisher will have to focus intensely on defense to guard him and maybe switching to put Kobe on him could be interesting and slide Fisher over to guarding Mason. Either way, the pick and roll will have to be defended well in this game for the Lakers to win, but then again this is the Lakers, and the pick and roll seems to be the one play they can’t defend. Don’t ask why, I have no idea. They have the pieces to but they just can’t get it right. Not that they’re totally incompetent but they do struggle.

One of the biggest challenges for the Lakers will be playing in San Antonio at the AT&T Centre, an arena with a rich past between the Lakers and Spurs. From Fisher’s 0.4 to the Spurs eliminating the Lakers from the playoffs, there have been good and bad times for the Lakers in this arena, and hopefully Thursday will add another good memory and not a bad one.

This road trip will push the Lakers to their limits both physically and mentally. There are many challenges they will face and they will have to be prepared to come out and play Lakers basketball and run their opponents into the ground. The Lakers have the best offense in the league and their defense does seem to be improving. Hopefully they will utilise these to their advantage and beat these teams and come back home with a 3-0 road trip, setting themselves up nicely for home court advantage and in preparation for their 7 game road trip near the end of this month. If all goes well, the Lakers can wrap up the home court advantage at the end of this road trip, but there has to be a complete and total focus from the entire team. From Kobe to Morrison, every player will need to play their role and make sure they come away with 3 wins.

[slayermin]

How is this a rivalry when the Lakers have a 9-2 record in the playoffs against the Spurs?

It's 3-4 in the last seven playoff match ups.

[slayermin]

Someone said the Lakers had a 9-2 playoff series edge against the Spurs.

A little digging reveals two problems with this statistic:

(1) The Lakers have won less than 9 series against the Spurs.

(2) The Spurs have won more than two series against the Lakers.

This guy must be from the Rush Limbaugh fact-checking squad.

Here's a true fact -- the Spurs have won three les since the Lakers won their last.

He thought we were the Blazers.

Fakaluva has this as his signature.

2002 Western Conference 1st Rd L.A. Lakers 3 - 0 Port. Trail Blazers Series
2001 Western Conference 1st Rd L.A. Lakers 3 - 0 Port. Trail Blazers
1900 Western Conference Finals L.A. Lakers 4 - 3 Port. Trail Blazers
1998 Western Conference 1st Rd L.A. Lakers 3 - 1 Port. Trail Blazers
1997 Western Conference 1st Rd L.A. Lakers 3 - 1 Port. Trail Blazers
1992 Western Conference 1st Rd L.A. Lakers 1 - 3 Port. Trail Blazers
1991 Western Conference Finals L.A. Lakers 4 - 2 Port. Trail Blazers
1989 Western Conference 1st Rd L.A. Lakers 3 - 0 Port. Trail Blazers
1985 Western Conference Semis L.A. Lakers 4 - 1 Port. Trail Blazers
1983 Western Conference Semis L.A. Lakers 4 - 1 Port. Trail Blazers
1977 Western Conference Finals L.A. Lakers 0 - 4 Port. Trail Blazers

Won:
Lakers: 9
Blazers: 2

What rivalry???

[Muser]

he thought we were the blazers.

fakaluva has this as his signature.

2002 western conference 1st rd l.a. Lakers 3 - 0 port. Trail blazers series
2001 western conference 1st rd l.a. Lakers 3 - 0 port. Trail blazers
1900 western conference finals l.a. Lakers 4 - 3 port. Trail blazers
1998 western conference 1st rd l.a. Lakers 3 - 1 port. Trail blazers
1997 western conference 1st rd l.a. Lakers 3 - 1 port. Trail blazers
1992 western conference 1st rd l.a. Lakers 1 - 3 port. Trail blazers
1991 western conference finals l.a. Lakers 4 - 2 port. Trail blazers
1989 western conference 1st rd l.a. Lakers 3 - 0 port. Trail blazers
1985 western conference semis l.a. Lakers 4 - 1 port. Trail blazers
1983 western conference semis l.a. Lakers 4 - 1 port. Trail blazers
1977 western conference finals l.a. Lakers 0 - 4 port. Trail blazers

won:
Lakers: 9
blazers: 2

what rivalry???

1900 wcf?!?!

[duncan228]

Big West: Spurs host Lakers in Alamo City

(Sports Network) - The Southwest Division-leading San Antonio Spurs will wrap up a four-game homestand Thursday against the Western Conference-powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs have won the first three tests of the residency and improved to 23-8 as the host with Tuesday's 100-86 victory over the surging Charlotte Bobcats. Tony Parker and Roger Mason had 21 points apiece to help San Antonio end the Bobcats' franchise-record win streak at six games.

Tim Duncan posted 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Michael Finley chipped in 10 points for the second-seeded squad in the Western Conference, who lead the Southwest division by 2 1/2 games over the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles is currently the top seed in the West and will close out a three- game road trip Thursday in the Alamo City. The Lakers lost the opener to Portland before handing Houston a 102-96 setback Wednesday night behind Kobe Bryant's game-high 37 points.

Bryant scored 18 points in the final quarter to help LA snap Houston's 12-game winning streak at home. Bryant also had six assists and five rebounds, while Pau Gasol added 20 points and five rebounds for the Pacific Division-leading Lakers, who improved to 22-9 away from home this season.

Lakers forward Lamar Odom missed Wednesday's win to serve a one-game suspension for leaving the bench during an altercation in Monday's loss in Portland. He is probable for Thursday.

The 2008-09 season series between San Antonio and Los Angeles is tied at a game apiece, but the Spurs have won 12 of the last 18 meetings. The Lakers have lost three straight after winning their last two trips to the Alamo City.