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I hope Manu and Jefferson take advantage of their depleted roster, but the Spurs really missed George's presence last game.
Game is Monday, 7:30 CST.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2010122024Phoenix (13-13) at San Antonio (23-3)
Tipoff: 8:30 pm EST Mon Dec 20, 2010
TV: My45, FSSW
By Brett Huston
The short-handed Phoenix Suns managed to pull out one surprising road win over a division leader Sunday night, and it’s doubtful the reinforcements from their blockbuster trade will arrive in time to play Monday.
They could use all the help they can get against the league’s hottest club.
The NBA-leading San Antonio Spurs seek their ninth straight win and 22nd in 24 games when they host the Suns in a series recently defined by Phoenix’s close losses.
The Suns (13-13) made a move Saturday designed to keep them compe ive this season while providing some long-term salary relief, but they certainly figured to miss the departed trio of Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark’s on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
New acquisitions Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat weren’t available after the previous day’s blockbuster trade with Orlando, but Phoenix’s remaining roster made sure it wouldn’t matter. Steve Nash returned with 20 points and 10 assists after suffering a neck stinger in his previous game, while Grant Hill had 30 points and 11 rebounds in a 113-110 win over the Northwest Division-leading Thunder.
“I think guys are going to come out and play, obviously, anytime that happens,” said Hill, who’s scored more than 20 points in seven of his last 15 games after doing so once in his first 11. “Sometimes when you’re on the other side and you see that a team’s not at full strength, there’s a little bit of a letdown.”
The Suns likely won’t be able to sneak up on the Spurs (23-3) the same way, and it again appears unlikely they’ll have any of their three additions. Carter, Pietrus and Gortat are set to take their physicals in Phoenix on Monday afternoon, likely delaying their debuts until Thursday against Miami.
That’s good news for San Antonio, which has won five of seven in the series - four of which have been decided by five points or fewer. Richard Jefferson had 28 points and Tim Duncan added 25 with 17 rebounds in a 112-110 win at Phoenix on Nov. 3.
San Antonio extended its current winning streak to eight with Saturday’s 112-106 overtime win against Memphis. The past three victories have come by a total of nine points, but Tony Parker - who had 37 against the Grizzlies - doesn’t mind having to sweat it out.
“As long as we’re winning I’m okay with it,” he said.
Parker played 41 minutes Saturday and might be heavily worked again Monday. Backup point guard George Hill will likely miss a second straight game with a sprained right big toe.
Parker hasn’t looked fatigued very often when Phoenix visits. He’s averaging 24.8 points in his last nine regular-season home games against the Suns, and is looking forward to facing Nash and a Suns team that allows 109.9 points per game - tied for the most in the league.
“Everyone knows I love to play against Nash,” Parker said. “He’s one of the best point guards in the NBA and it’s been like that for a long time. I’ve always had some success against them and hopefully that continues.”
Nash has averaged 15.2 points and 11.0 assists in his last five visits to San Antonio - three of which were Phoenix victories.
Tim Duncan has averaged 25.8 points in those games, but the Spurs are 0-3 this season when he scores 23 or more.
*********************
Team Stat Leaders
Points
Steve Nash Pho 17.5
Manu Ginobili SA 19.8
Rebounds
Channing Frye Pho 6.2
Tim Duncan SA 9.5
Assists
Steve Nash Pho 10.2
Tony Parker SA 7.2
I hope Manu and Jefferson take advantage of their depleted roster, but the Spurs really missed George's presence last game.
George Hill will be missed. However IIRC Nash made Hill his whipping boy in the playoffs. Hopefully Parker can play some big minutes because I don't want to see Quinn guarding Nash, ever.
Duncan scored 28 in the win against Denver. I wish these writers would check their stats before publishing.Tim Duncan has averaged 25.8 points in those games, but the Spurs are 0-3 this season when he scores 23 or more.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...at-spurs-23-3/Monday: Suns (13-13) at Spurs (23-3)
Jeff McDonald
...Suns are only team in NBA with an all-time winning record vs. Spurs (71-69). … Spurs have authored two winning streaks of at least eight games within first 40 games of season for first time in team history...
Hit the link for the whole piece.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...ted-by-trades/Spurs face opponents renovated by trades
Jeff McDonald
...the Spurs will face a 13-13 Suns team that is not only in the midst of serious culture shock but is also shorthanded. Jared Dudley is likely to start for the departed Jason Richardson at shooting guard, while Suns coach Alvin Gentry will go with a short bench until his three new pieces are in place.
...“It’s difficult for us, just like it’s difficult for them,” said Popovich, whose team is seeking its ninth straight win. “They’ve got to figure it out, as far as rotations go. It will probably be an odd sort of game in that regard.”
...Tonight, the Suns will be undermanned and likely overmatched, a s of the team that swept the Spurs from last season’s playoffs. The Spurs don’t know what, exactly, to expect from floundering Phoenix now.
“We just have to play our game and not pay attention to what they are going to do,” point guard Tony Parker said. “We just have to be aggressive and give them no hope.”
Suns are a little short-handed right now and on a back-to-back, and this game is in San Antonio. It's gonna take a monster shooting night to win this one.
Really, there's no way the Spurs should lose this one. But they've been living on the edge of self-inflicted damage for three games now; who knows what to expect.
Spurs by 15.
trippity-trap gih-zame
Suns looked pretty good yesterday with not so many players in the rotation ... but the Spurs should take advantage of a fatigued team and win this one
Looking forward the clash between Nash and TP. Go Spurs Go. Gonna be a tough game
Last edited by janetcn12; 12-20-2010 at 05:01 AM. Reason: typo
I immediately caught that as well.
I saw Suns-Thunder yesterday and Lopes and Hill were great.
Since Frye is playing PF we'll see more Bonner than Blair tonight
dragic could see more minutes in this back to back imo
good quote from parker
Advanced Scouting: Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of
http://www.48minutesof .com/spurs...-antonio-spurs
This is supposed to be a easy win, but knowing the Spurs, they will either lose, or barely win. Lets blow this team out so we can be well rested for the Nuggets on Wednesday.
2010 Spurs' schedule is ending with some great tests.
Git 'er dun, Spurs.
Timmy had 28 in a win against denver last thursday dumbass.
no Gortat tonight
he would demolish Spurs frontcourt
no Gortat tonight
he would demolish Spurs frontcourt
He is polish and he would demolish !
Lopez 5 of 5 !
Gortat barada nikto.
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