"Duncan, who also will miss tonight's game in Washington, sprained his right ankle in practice." Ludden (Moan!)
Can Spurs still beat the WW team (that is also missing Hughes)?
It is my belief that tonight is Rose's turn again, Parker will out play Arenas on the back of an allstar snub, and that Rasho will have another decent game.
Very tight but = Spurs 102
Wiz 97
MadDoc
It should certainly be intersting. One of the ways the Spurs have beaten good offensive teams is by playing great defense, Tim Duncan is without question the anchor to the Spurs defense so they could have some problems.
They could of course try to run against them, which is at least part of what they did to the Suns, running teams hate to be run at, especially when they don't play great defense and I don't *think* that Washington is one of the better or best defensive teams in the league.
"I don't *think* that Washington is one of the better or best defensive teams in the league."
huh? WAS allows the most PPG in NBA, and their avg win margin is only +0.83 pts.
WAS is 26th in opponent FG% and only 23rd best in FG%.
Spurs have to play their defense, as always. WAS offense isn't anywhere near as powerful/efficient as SA's. And the Spurs offense must not go stone-cold like DAL did last night in the second half vs CHI. If the Spurs can shoot their FG avg 47%, they'll win.
Well then I was right wasn't I, they aren't one of the best or better defensive teams in the league.
They are second in PPG behind Phoenix. While their FG percentage isn't great it really doesn't matter because they still score a ton of points, they are second in FGA, fifth in 3PFGA, and second in FTA.
What the Spurs need to do I think is slow down the tempo and play a defensive game, I don't know how easy that will be without Timmy but we'll see...
This team will be sky high with Arenas and Jamison being selected to their first All Star team.
It will be a very tough win for SA.
I say SA loses this game.
I mean, you have 3 Maryland Terrapins on this roster....they have to be good.
Nostradumbass strikes again...This team will be sky high with Arenas and Jamison being selected to their first All Star team.
It will be a very tough win for SA.
I say SA loses this game.
I mean, you have 3 Maryland Terrapins on this roster....they have to be good.
Nostradumbass strikes again...
Care to make a wager, Napoleon Dynamite?
No, I do not care to contribute to the continued delinquency of a gambling addict.
Ill take the Spurs jim, whats the point line?
I will not bet against the Spurs.....I knew Travis would not bet me.
Dont worry Spurs will win by 13.
Now, I would bet against SA, if you gave me 12 points.
"preview" from nba.com
San Antonio (39-10) at Washington (28-19) 7:00 pm EST
WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Tim Duncan will not play Wednesday when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Washington Wizards in the fourth of seven straight games on the road.
Duncan missed his first game of the season Tuesday due to a sprained ankle suffered in practice on Monday. Coach Gregg Popovich already has indicated Wednesday will be a day of rest for his All-Star forward.
The Spurs were not affected by Duncan's absence in a 104-85 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday, improving to 3-0 on the trip and winning their fifth straight overall.
Center Rasho Nesterovic returned from an ankle injury and scored 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. When Duncan missed six games last season due to injury, Nesterovic reached double figures in points and rebounds in each contest.
Tony Parker scored 20 points, had six assists and made four steals in Tuesday's win as San Antonio improved to 39-10.
The Wizards, meanwhile, are 2-0 thus far on a four-game homestand behind the stellar play of Gilbert Arenas.
After scoring 31 points and dishing out nine assists in a 112-94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, Arenas matched a career-high with 43 points in a 108-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
Arenas and Antawn Jamison were rewarded for their efforts in Washington's surprising first half of the season, earning selections as All-Star reserves. It marked the first time in nearly two decades that the Wizards have two players on the All-Star team. When the teams met in San Antonio on January 17, Parker scored 23 points and recorded eight assists and Devin Brown added 24 points off the bench as the Spurs rolled to a 101-73 victory.
Arenas had his worst outing this season in the loss, scoring a season-low three points on 0-of-12 shooting. He scored 43 the next night in Dallas.
===============================================
I have a feeling that Tony will, in Tim's absence, again come out agressive as team leader and initiator. With repeat peformance from Rasho, we'll be all set to be the first team to 40 W's. It doesn't take a playoff level intensity to beat WAS.
Tim or no Tim, the Spurs really need to continue to show some road toughness in handling playoff teams.
With the race for number #1 seed/HCA so tight with PHX, there's no such thing as "it's only one game".
By the way can pick up DC radio here and they on their local sports talk radio still talk about reverting name to Bullets periodically! Wizards name not popular among fans. (I would not want a reversion but perhaps something else).
Amazing also how this Wizard team has improved since Jordan left the scene. He also drove off Richard Hamilton. Many make the case for him as the greatest basketball player ever (argueable?, I can make a case for Kareem, Chamberlain, Russel, O, Johnson, Bird etc. ) but a poor decision maker re talent.
Funniest line ever re Jordan = Bird was asked if Jordan was greatest ever = he shrugged and said One of Two. The great ones all think they are the best.
What's wrong with going back to "Bullets"?
I remember when they made the change...it was the punch line of a Leno joke...something along the lines of: "Washington DC's NBA team has decided to change their name. It seems their current name is too associated with violence and violent behavior. So, from now on the team will be known only as 'The Bullets'."
Why did they change the name to start with? Wizards is pretty weak, especially since the emergence of Harry Potter.
I would not mind the change = if I had not personally seen dead kids in ERs periodically from loaded guns. That being said, I believe their fans should get to vote and let the results stand.
Actually, the reason given in the Leno joke is the real reason they changed. Which I thought was pretty stupid, personally.
I would say "bullets don't kill people, people kill people"...but this is the wrong forum for that discussion.
Spurs are only favored by 2 points....I think that is their lowest point spread in weeks.
I actually don't care what they are called, just hope Duncan less Spurs ready to play. If they get this win, I believe 2 game rest for Duncan if ankle ok will turn out to be along term blessing.
Aside: Looking back it is hard to believe Dallas had Jamison, Nash (and Fortson) and were not tougher last year.
Still pretty amazing. The 50th straight game they are the favorite. Especially tonight, no Duncan, on the road, back to back, against a decent team. And, by the way, they are 66% against the spread for the year.
2 points? amazingly pessimistic!
Spurs average is +11 diff PPG,
Spurs destroyed WAS @SBC,
with WAS at almost -30 pts under their avg PPG, and
with Duncan playing only half the game and getting only yawner stats of 11-11.
Its called Don Nelson not being a good coach.Jamison, Nash (and Fortson
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