Game Blog: Spurs @ Thunder - Nov. 14

[Bukefal]

at

Sunday: San Antonio Spurs (7-1) at Oklahoma City Thunder (5-3)

Game Preview: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165961

Time: 07:00 PM ET
TV: League Pass, FSOK, FSSW-SA

[Cane]

Durant's going to be a nightmare to defend since he gets Kobe-like foul calls and he's damn good at making and drawing and-1's even from long distance. Its going to be a cringeworthy experience to see Gee try to defend against the Durantula....

Parker's going to have to focus on the defensive end against Westbrook like he did against Brooks, Westbrook could give Tony a run for his money when it comes to running a fast break.

I see the Spurs frontcourt being the keys to win the game and hopefully Duncan can return to his usual 20/10 self. Blair should be "licking his chops" to get back to OKC. Tiago should be good as well but he'll likely continue playing limited minutes.

[Darth_Pelican]

Why the is Rockets @ Knicks on NBA TV tonight instead of Spurs @ Thunder???? WTF Amen for streaming.

[GinobiliForTres]

Lakers @ Kings was on ESPN instead of Spurs @ Suns a week or two ago.

Think about it.

[CFH]

B2B game, gonna be tough but should be good.

[bigdog]

Just win.

[Ditty]

luckily the spurs blew out the sixers last night

should be a real good game

I think we will win the next couple of games if spurs win tonight

[Cant_Be_Faded]

This is going to be tough but could be worse. Luckily the core did not play too many minutes last night.

[Brazil]

Big challenge for TP against Westbrook, the kid is beasting this season.

[MinuteByMinuteSports]

Spurs win a close game
96-92

[Brazil]

Somebody knows if Jeff Green will play ? he is listed as questionnable.

[duncan228]

Somebody knows if Jeff Green will play ? he is listed as questionnable.

Questionable is the latest.

2010-2011 Game 9 Preview: Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio; A Tough Test
by Zorgon
Welcome to Loud City

...Back on our side of things, there's still no update on the Jeff Green situation. Whether he's healthy is one thing, but whether the team wants to play him on consecutive nights coming off an injury is another thing. Nick Collison is still certainly out.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165961

[GrandeDavid]

After the latest Houston Texans choke, I'm looking forward to the Spurs providing me with some good entertainment and a big fat win.

[JustinJDW]

Didn't know the Thunder were having injury problems. If Green and Kristic are out, then we should really take advantage of that with our frontcourt. No 3-point chucking. Timmy, Blair and Splitter should bring it.

[ALVAREZ6]

I'm hoping the Spurs keep strolling and come out with a win tonight. It'd be great to finally beat a legitimate team and keep the confidence high. Go Spurs.

[timtonymanu]

Gonna miss the game tonight. Hopefully I come back and see that the Spurs won.

[Mavs<Spurs]

This will be our second test. We failed the first against the Hornets. Who knew they would be so beastly ? This is a difficult arena to play in.

Clearly, turnovers and rebounding will decide the winner of this game, especially turnovers. This is a young and very athletic team. However, they are a very, very poor shooting team. If we turn the ball over, then they will win as they will score easily. If we don't turn the ball over and finish off defensive possessions by grabbing the defensive board, then they will have a harder team scoring against our half court set defense as they shoot so poorly. Guards must come back to the bigs for the basketball to bring it up court. Limit cross court passes as they will be layups for the Thunder. Zone them up and force them to shoot contested jumpshots.

We must keep them off of the free throw line. Durant is a master of the Tim Duncan move of putting your arm underneath your defender's and raising up to create a foul. Westbrook gets to the line by virtue of his penetration. Tony must try to stay in front of Westbrook. Strong hedges are necessary by Duncan (who has yet to do that this year).

Know the personnel. For example, treat Hardin and Westbrook as drivers. Treat Durant as a shooter. Westbrook, imo, does have a good midrange shot at this point. I have watched him a lot.

Not many will agree with me, but I believe that Kevin Durant is now the best basketball player in the world. So far this season, he is not shooting well and is turning the ball over way too much. I expect that this is an aberration and not the real KD. I base my conclusions about his skill level upon more than just the beginning of this season. One cannot stop him. We must just put a hand in his face and contest his shots and hope that he misses.

Last year, a very good rebounding team in the league. They were and remain the best free throw shooting team. Last year, they were the best shot blocking team in the league.

Be aware of Ibaka as a defender. PG must be careful with the ball as Westbrook can turn people over.

[silverblk mystix]

Spurs for the win.

Gotta keep this winning at ude going.

[silverblk mystix]

Spurs for the win.

Gotta keep this winning at ude going.

[HarlemHeat37]

Keys:

- Battle at the FT line..OKC is #2 in the NBA in FTA per game, Spurs are #1 on D, allowing the least amount of FTA in the NBA..so something has to give..

- OKC is in the top 5 worst teams at defending the paint so far this season..Spurs have to keep the attack consistent..OKC has actually been one of the best post-up defensive teams in the NBA this year, their weakness is perimeter players attacking the paint..

- Spurs are currently the 2nd best team in the NBA in fast break points, while OKC is one of the best at defending in transition..I don't expect the Spurs to be able to dominate in transition, so they'll have to play well in the halfcourt..

- Spurs are currently the best 3-point shooting team in the NBA, while OKC is in the top 3 worst at defending the 3-point line..

- Spurs are the worst team in the NBA at defending 1 on 1 on the perimeter, while OKC is good at attacking 1 on 1, particularly Durant, so that could be trouble..

So overall, attack the paint from the perimeter, efficiency from the 3-point line(which is always a key, anyways), and limit free throw attempts, and the Spurs should come out with a W..

[Mal]

Duncan playing ? Pop is still planing to sit him in b2b ?

[duncan228]

Duncan playing ? Pop is still planing to sit him in b2b ?

Haven't heard yet, this is from yesterday. Duncan played 24 minutes last night, sat out the fourth. I'm hoping he's completely over the flu-like symptoms and got enough rest to play.

We should hear something when Pop speaks to the media before the game.

Lingering question re: season's first back-to-back: Will Duncan sit? Pop says maybe, "but the primary goal is to win games."

[Mal]

Usefull as always

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

I think they can beat OKC as long as they play good, solid defense. We also need Jefferson to step up again and have a big night if Duncan sits out during this one.

[NASpurs]

Jeff Green is starting and Collison is playing as well. (Spurs commentators)

*edit* Link: http://newsok.com/jeff-green-nick-co...#ixzz15IrUQnVC

Faced with playing five games this week, the Thunder got a double-dose of good news with forwards Jeff Green and Nick Collison both returning from injuries in time for tonight's game against San Antonio inside Oklahoma City Arena.