Game Blog: Spurs @ Lakers

[Budkin]

Ugh, you Knicks.

[Budkin]

Spurs are pussies

Mavfan calling us pussies... the irony.

[TD 21]

I don't see the point of playing the big 3 in this game..

- Another day of rest, instead of playing a physical game vs. LA, when your potential opponent in 4 or 5 days is a very physical Memphis team..

- Lakers are a dirty team, there's always the possibility of a flagrant from Bynum or Barnes..

- Why risk having the Lakers at the 4 spot and in the Spurs bracket?..Spurs might eventually have to face the Lakers, but I don't buy the "don't fear" talk..if you can avoid LA and rely on somebody else to beat them, do it..

- HCA is up for grabs, but if the Spurs play seriously and still lose, it's a confidence hit IMO..if the Spurs can make it all the way to the Finals, it means that the role players stepped up and did a good job in the other series', meaning they more than likely won't be affected on the road in the Finals..

If guys like Hill, Neal, Bonner, Blair(and whoever else) played well enough to beat teams like OKC, Dallas and LA in the playoffs, which leads to the Finals, then I'm sure they would be fine on the road, in the Finals..

These guys are already rested. I'd rather they play tonight than risk not having home court in the Finals. If this team loses game seven on the Bulls home floor, this decision will haunt them forever. No, there's no guarantee they win tonight even if they play the big three and McDyess, but not even giving themselves a chance?

What difference does it make when the Spurs play the Lakers? The reality is, the Mavs are more than likely their second round opponent. They have no shot at beating the Lakers, which means the Spurs will have to be the ones to do it (unless the Thunder take out the Spurs) anyway.

How is this not a confidence hit? It's another sign that they're scared of the Lakers. It's clear they don't believe they can beat them in this game, so they're not even going to try, so as to avoid the possible confidence hit/embarrassment they'd get from losing (and potentially losing big) again.

Home court in the Finals is huge, because of the format. Unless you're playing a joke team ('06 Mavs) or a dysfunctional team ('04 Lakers), the team with home court almost always wins. The problem with not having it is you need to win two on the road, because the likelihood of sweeping the middle three at home is highly unlikely.

[itsamanuthree]

Without the big three, how many men will the roation have?

[Splits]

Rebounding prediction: Lakers 50, Spurs 12

[Ghazi]

Mavfan calling us pussies... the irony.

u mad?

[itsamanuthree]

shut up pussytroll

[Cane]

Tbh at least the big 3 won't get god damn chicken pox since it might've infected Bynum and the rest of the Lakers who practiced with Blake.

[Splits]

Vegas line: Spurs +11.5

[DesignatedT]

Once Phila posted the starters were out I loaded up on LA - 6.5. Now it's up to 11.5

[Fireball]

Zach Randolph does not play for Memphis tonight ... Grizzlies want to be #8 seed

[Ghazi]

Mad at no rings, the two seed, and doing nothing in the playoffs since 2006?

[DesignatedT]

Memphis tanking tonight.... No Randolph, No Allen.

[Budkin]

Knicks back within 11 at end of 3rd.

[Reck]

Well that kinds of defeat the purpose of watching the game.

You know it will be a blow out. Save myself 2.5 hours.

[DesignatedT]

Is that good?

yes, i hope.

[ajballer4]

Knicks within 8 now

[ManuBalboa]

Fuk this. Looks like Mem is tanking to get us in 1st

[Budkin]

Knicks only down by 6 now! Almost the whole quarter left.

[Budkin]

Fuk this. Looks like Mem is tanking to get us in 1st

They weren't going to beat Portland at home anyway and they play the Clippers tomorrow.

[007nites]

Douglas!

[007nites]

within 7

[DesignatedT]

They weren't going to beat Portland at home anyway and they play the Clippers tomorrow.

Portland has lost 11 games at home. They aren't untouchable there. Plus, Memphis had a real shot at the 6 seed with a W.

Now they are going to accept the 7 seed and play the lakers? Or throw the Clippers game and play the Spurs?

Those are there only two options now.

[Fireball]

Memphis still looks good without Randolph and Allen ... but the bench will be too short against the Blazers ...

[duncan228]

Pretty sure I saw TNT trucks peeling out of the Staples Center parking lot after Pop announced his starting lineup.