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We sure have a weird schedule. We keep playing the same teams over and over
Game is Sunday, 6:00 CST.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2010120524New Orleans (13-6) at San Antonio (16-3)
Tipoff: 7:00 pm EST Sun Dec 5, 2010
TV: CST, FSSW
By Kate Hedlin
The San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets were two of the top teams in the Western Conference when they met last month, but extending that success has been more of a struggle for New Orleans recently.
The Spurs look to avenge one of their three losses this season when they host the Hornets, who hope to have leading-scorer David West back in the lineup Sunday night.
San Antonio (16-3) has the NBA’s best record and improved to 8-2 at home with a 107-101 victory over Minnesota on Friday. The Spurs overcame a 15-point deficit, outscoring the Timberwolves 36-15 in the fourth quarter.
Tim Duncan had 22 points and 10 rebounds while Tony Parker and George Hill each scored 20.
“Obviously that’s not the situation we want to be in on a nightly basis, but given the situation, it was the best outcome possible,” said Duncan, who was held to 23 points in the previous two games combined. “We defended great in that fourth quarter, we held them to 15 points and found a way to win.”
The 15-point fourth quarter by the Timberwolves helped salvage an otherwise rare defensive lapse for the Spurs, who gave up 100 points for the first time in four games. They were outrebounded 59-37 and allowed a season-worst 24 offensive boards.
San Antonio has also fallen behind by double digits in both games against New Orleans (13-6) this season. However, the Spurs overcame a 17-point margin for a 109-95 victory in New Orleans on Nov. 28 after losing 99-90 at home Oct. 30.
Duncan seemed to be the difference maker between those games. He was held to seven points in the loss, but had 21 in the most recent meeting.
Playing the Hornets in San Antonio, though, has been difficult recently for Duncan, a two-time MVP. He’s averaged 9.3 points in the last three games against them at the AT&T Center compared to 21.3 in the last three at New Orleans Arena.
The slumping Hornets hope that trend continues. They are looking to get back on track after losing for the fifth time in seven games, 100-92 to New York on Friday.
Trevor Ariza led the team with a season-high 21 points while Chris Paul added 17 and 10 assists.
Two nights after holding Charlotte to 73 points in a win, New Orleans was sloppy at both ends of the court, allowing the Knicks to shoot 13 of 30 from 3-point range while committing 19 turnovers, which led to 29 New York points.
“I’m always surprised when our guys don’t play with a sense of urgency because that’s who we are,” first-year coach Monty Williams. “I think that every time you get a chance to play in this league you have to come out with an at ude that you’re trying to prove yourself.
“I didn’t see it in 48 minutes. I saw it in spurts, but not in 48 minutes.”
After winning 11 of their first 12 games while averaging 97.5 points, the Hornets have averaged 92.0 points in the last seven, and missing West didn’t help.
West, who is averaging 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds, sat out with a stomach virus.
It’s not certain if West, who has averaged 21.1 points and 8.5 rebounds in his last eight games against the Spurs, will play Sunday. Jason Smith started in his place Friday - the first time this season the Hornets used a different lineup.
*********************
Team Stat Leaders
Points
David West NO 18.8
Manu Ginobili SA 21.2
Rebounds
Emeka Okafor NO 9.9
Tim Duncan SA 9.5
Assists
Chris Paul NO 10.5
Tony Parker SA 7.0
We sure have a weird schedule. We keep playing the same teams over and over
Life must be nice when youre playing mostly the Clippers and Twolves.
Already the 3rd time with the Hornets huh? Spurs need to win this one so they can keep pushing Hornets back in the playoff spot.
Hornets Franchise issues.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...-has-a-kicker/Mike Monroe: Hornets’ feel-good story has a kicker
Mike Monroe
...With superstar point guard Chris Paul finally seeming comfortable that club management had the same commitment to winning that he always shows, the news that the NBA is considering buying out majority owner George Shinn in order to stabilize the franchise is stunning. It threatens to shake the trust of anyone who cares about the team and its survival in the Crescent City, Paul included.
It's always like deja vu. Next we got Golden State again.
Get a win Spurs!!!
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...at-spurs-16-3/Sunday: Hornets (13-6) at Spurs (16-3)
Jeff McDonald
...Spurs are shooting 80.4 percent from foul line this season, which if it holds would match club record set in 1977-78...With win, Spurs would match 2007-08 team for best 20-game start in franchise history.
http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ss..._david_we.htmlNew Orleans Hornets F David West back at work, status for San Antonio Spurs unknown
Jimmy Smith, The Times-Picayune
Power forward David West, the New Orleans Hornets' leading scorer, practiced with the team before it departed on Saturday for Sunday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs but Coach Monty Williams wasn't ready to say West would be available.
"He's a lot better today," Williams said after Saturday's practice. "He was trying his best to get out there last night. I think they gave him three IVs. He just couldn't do it. It was just one of those situations. That's why I love him. He's a warrior. He tries his best to get on the floor, practices every day, unassuming. But he just couldn't do it last night."
Williams said he'd make a determination on West's availability for the Spurs on Sunday. West is currently averaging 18.8 points per game.
"I'm just not going to put a guy on the floor if he's not right," Williams said. "I just don't believe in that. I don't do it. Guys have to be right, or at least close to being right, before they're on the floor."
Williams said other teams have had recent issues with players missing games because of gastro-intestinal problems.
"It's around the league now," said Williams. "It's that time of year; Christmas parties, different people coming from different parts of the country, bringing their flu or whatever they've got. It's part of the season, I guess."
Friday night was the first time the Hornets went with a different starting lineup. Jason Smith took West's place against the New York Knicks.
Small ball for 48 minutes?
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...it-a-comeback/Spurs happy with wins, weary of rallies
Jeff McDonald
...Four times en route to an NBA-best 16-3 record, the Spurs have won games after trailing by at least 15 points, including three times in the past 10 days.
...Lately, they have grown quite weary of showcasing their own perseverance.
“We’ve been doing that too much,” guard Manu Ginobili said of the series of don’t-touch-that-dial comebacks. “I guess luck has been on our side. We know it’s not going to stay like this the entire season.”
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http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...ee-game-slump/Parker shakes off three-game slump
Mike Monroe
...Parker’s 7-for-14 shooting and perfect 6-for-6 night at the line was a welcome sight to teammates who have relied on Parker’s aggressiveness to serve as catalyst for the team’s most potent offense since Gregg Popovich took over as head coach in 1996.
http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Sun. Dec. 5
New Orleans @ San Antonio: Ken Mauer; Kevin Cutler; Eric Lewis
Advanced Scouting: New Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of
http://www.48minutesof .com/spurs...-hornets-12-05
Well, at least it's not a trap game.
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