Game Blog: Spurs vs. Lakers - Jan. 12

[Amuseddaysleeper]

This could be a great confidence builder even if the Lakers are a little banged up.

This is my first game blog of the year, so I wanted to get a head start.

[alchemist]

couple key points

-Slow Start: Worst thing that can happen is that the Spurs start off with no energy, they have to get as many easy points early.

-Parker/Fisher: Parker will probably get his against Fisher, Phil will probably counter this by posting up Parker with Fisher making him use energy on the defensive side.

-Ginobili/Kobe: I think we'll see Ginobili on Kobe a lot, Artest is banged up so Kobe will probably take Ginobili on defense as well. I hope Manu is fresh because he will be the key player I believe in this game.

-3pt Shooting: Lakers are the best at defending the the 3, Spurs are the 3rd best at making them. Whatever wide open looks they get at the 3, hopefully they make about their average.

[NRHector]

couple key points

-Slow Start: Worst thing that can happen is that the Spurs start off with no energy, they have to get as many easy points early.

-Parker/Fisher: Parker will probably get his against Fisher, Phil will probably counter this by posting up Parker with Fisher making him use energy on the defensive side.

-Ginobili/Kobe: I think we'll see Ginobili on Kobe a lot, Artest is banged up so Kobe will probably take Ginobili on defense as well. I hope Manu is fresh because he will be the key player I believe in this game.

-3pt Shooting: Lakers are the best at defending the the 3, Spurs are the 3rd best at making them. Whatever wide open looks they get at the 3, hopefully they make about their average.

you forgot to point out Eva letting Tony rest so he can be fresh for the game

[slayermin]

I haven't watched the Lakers at all. When I lived in LA, I caught at least 40 of their games a year. Now, I barely catch 2 or three.

I just want a win, any way we can get it.

[HarlemHeat37]

To add..

-Parker HAS to be the real Parker if we want to win..this is the main mismatch we have..we really need him to get in the lane against the Lakers, which will open up everything else..

-Bogans obviously has to do a decent job defending Kobe, but he also HAS to make shots..Kobe loves roaming around and not respecting guys like Bogans, so Keith has to make his open shots..

-Duncan has to play better vs. Bynum..if he plays like he did vs. the Lakers in the Mason GW game last year, I'll be happy..

-Bench has to win..Lakers have one of the most inconsistent benches in the NBA, if not the most inconsistent, so our bench has to be a big positive in this game..

[timtonymanu]

Parker better not let Fisher and Farmar score points all over him.

[alchemist]

To add..

-Parker HAS to be the real Parker if we want to win..this is the main mismatch we have..we really need him to get in the lane against the Lakers, which will open up everything else..

-Bogans obviously has to do a decent job defending Kobe, but he also HAS to make shots..Kobe loves roaming around and not respecting guys like Bogans, so Keith has to make his open shots..

-Duncan has to play better vs. Bynum..if he plays like he did vs. the Lakers in the Mason GW game last year, I'll be happy..

-Bench has to win..Lakers have one of the most inconsistent benches in the NBA, if not the most inconsistent, so our bench has to be a big positive in this game..

Kobe is not going to rest much so the bench is going to have their hands full, lots of pressure on Hill/Mason to handle the rock when Tony/Ginobili are out. I'm very interested to see how the bench will handle this.

[benefactor]

Play 4 quarters. That's all I ask.

Oh...and UNLEASH THE MAHINMI!!!

[lefty]

I hope Gasol is playing tonight

[Libri]

I'll have to record it and watch later tonight.

GO SPURS GO or as Mr. Holt said, "kick some ass!"

[lefty]

I have the feeling we are gonna lose to the Gasol-less Lakers because Pop will go CIA

[FTLSpur]

Regular season game not THAT important for us.. but it seems that for TP and Manu it is as per their Facebook comments...

TP:
o. Tonight we’re playing THE game vs the Lakers. Major games are always exciting. Bryant, Odom, Bynum, Artest...big guys in front of us!!! But it’s still thrilling!... Bonjour. Ce soir, c’est le choc face aux Lakers. C’est toujours un plaisir de jouer des gros matchs. Bryant, Odom, Bynum, Artest… Il y a du beau monde en face !!! C’est en tout cas très excitant !

Manu:

Great day today. Lots of rest, some family time and now NBA on TV. Tmrw the Lakers, is gonna be fun! // Muy buen día el de hoy. Mucho descanso, familia y ahora mirando NBA en tele. Mañana los Lakers, va a estar interesante!

[The Btown Spur]

Is this game on national TV?

[lefty]

Is this game on national TV?

NBA TV I think (not sure though)

[duncan228]

The game is on NBA TV. It will be blacked out on League Pass.

[spurs10]

Play 4 quarters. That's all I ask.

Oh...and UNLEASH THE MAHINMI!!!

yes...it's a big day and will be a huge momentum builder when we beat the Lakers tonight....wish I could be there.

[anonoftheinternets]

man im psyched for this game... cant wait for it ....

[NFGIII]

Good test for the Spurs. I want to see them play 48 minutes and be unselfish with the rock. Would be nice to see Ian in but I think that isn't going to happen unless we get a big lead late. It's a gut feeling with little outside of that to go on but I feel that Pop probably wont put him in only to see his confidence affected by a bad game against them.

Looking forward to this game!

[ffadicted]

My boy Gino is gonna go for 20-5-5 + tonight

[gameFACE]

Take care of the ball! No lazy or fancy passing. High turnovers have been a problem several times this year.

Play smart and stay in a rhythm. The Spurs don't have to go for the throat right away. Save that for the Staples Center!

[austN Spur]

all very good points above.

The Spurs guards will need to slow down the lakers fast break in order to keep them in this game.

I'm going to tear the little hair on my head out listening to this game on the radio.

[SPURadic]

I agree with people here that Parker should be in top form for this game. Everybody knows that he is the biggest advantage the Spurs have against the Lakers. But it can't be a one-man effort as we all know since Parker showed that last year and we didn't win it all.

Although, with that said, I think that team defense would still be the key to win this game. The lakers are very good moving the ball inside-out to their perimeter shooters. Also, Bogans/Hill/Ginobili/Jefferson's ability to guard Kobe one on one without the need for an early double team would keep the Lakers' perimeter shooters from being able to take good looks early. I think this would be important considering that the Lakers' shooters aside from Kobe and Fisher are not all that clutch and lack of confidence late in the game might make them think twice about shots in the latter part of the game.

I'm hoping that the Spurs win this game big just for the sake of the team's confidence and to add belief in themselves that they are actually le contenders.

Go Spurs Go!

[e20dylan]

prime ginobili game right here

[biziofromdowntown]

We need Optimus Prime as starting C to win this one.

[Sigz]

Will Ian suck tonight? Or rock? Please let me know.