THE WEEK AHEAD: December 13th-20th
Milwaukee Bucks (10-13) @ San Antonio Spurs (14-9)
Wednesday, December 15th, 7:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: December 26th, 2009, Spurs won 112-97
SCOUTING REPORT: Reeling off 5 wins out of their last 6 games, the Bucks are quickly becoming the talk of the league. They ended the Mavs streak at 12 games as Andrew Bogut put on another strong performance with 21 points and 14 rebounds (Out Dirk-ing Dirk with10-12 shooting from the field). The Bucks are dead last in scoring with just 92 PPG, but were able to come back from a 20 point deficit to Dallas by getting 52 points in the paint on 48% shooting from the floor.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Spurs just keep the wins coming, going 5-0 on the current homestand to bring their record to a league best 20-3. San Antonio has held their last 4 opponents to 87 points or less (all double digit victories) as the defense continues to improve. Blair will most likely get the start against Bogut and he will definitely have his work cut out for him. Bogut is the second best rebounder in the NBA (12.3 boards per game) as well as the league’s leading shot blocker (2.88 per game). Blair will have to rely on quick moves in order to get his shot off the much taller/tougher defender. The Bucks backcourt has also come to life during Milwaukee’s recent surge. John Salmons has been playing with much more consistency and backup guard Chris Douglas-Roberts was a huge sparkplug off the bench in the victory over the Mavs. Jennings continues to lead the team in scoring and assists. The Spurs own back court will need to continue to play well and find ways to penetrate around Bogut. The Bucks only allow 93 point per game, but expect the Spurs offense to be a bit too much to handle as they try to finish off the home stretch with a perfect 6-0 record.
San Antonio Spurs (20-3) @ Denver Nuggets (14-9)
Thursday, December 16th, 9:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: April 10th, 2010, Spurs won 104-85
SCOUTING REPORT: The Nuggets posted a huge victory over the Magic and have now won 9 out of their last 12. Despite all the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors, the team has improved their chemistry and picked up the pace as one of the top 3 scoring teams in the league. Denver is tied with Boston for the best home record at 11-1. The Spurs are tied with Dallas for the best road record at 8-1.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Despite coming out of the gates slowly, as well trying to keep Melo in Denver and not New York, the Nuggets find themselves just 2 games out of first place in the Northwest division. Carmelo remains a top 10 scorer with 23 points per game, so expect Richard Jefferson to exert a lot of energy in trying to keep a body in front of him. Melo likes to bang around a lot so it will be key for RJ to hold his ground and not get pushed around. A player the Spurs will actually have to scout more thoroughly this time around is Aaron Afflalo who is having a career year. A deadly 3 point shooter (44%) as well as a strong penetrator to the basket, the Spurs will have to keep an eye on Afflalo at all times. He is averaging a career best 15 points per game. Duncan will need to get physical with Nene who is another strong body around the basket. J.R. Smith has been the subject of trade rumors amidst slightly below career averages, but make no mistake about it, a solid 3 point shooter, he can score in bunches. Ginobili often has a field day when the Spurs take on the Nuggets, so look for him to continue that trend during his all star caliber season. Parker vs Billups is another enticing matchup, as Billups likes to use his size to bully smaller guards, but look for Parker to counter that with his speed and quickness. The Spurs will be playing in a higher al ude in Denver on the second night of a back to back, but when the best road team goes up against the best home team, something’s gotta give.
Memphis Grizzlies (11-14) @ San Antonio Spurs (20-3)
Saturday, December 19th, 7:30 PM Central
Last Meeting: April 9th, 2010, Grizzlies won 107-99
SCOUTING REPORT: The Grizzlies have now won 3 in a row, and remain just a game back for the 8th and final playoff spot in the West. While Rudy Gay reserved some harsh criticism this summer after signing an 84 million dollar extension, he is having a very strong year to quiet the naysayers with a career high 21 PPG. The Grizzlies also boast one of the league’s premier rebounders in Zach Randolph, who is tied for second in that category with Andrew Bogut at 12.3 boards per contest. One of the biggest surprises this year for Memphis has been the lackadaisical play of O.J. Mayo, who went from #1 option, to getting benched in favor of rookie Xavier Henry. Mayo is posting career lows across the board in nearly every category.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This year’s Grizzlies team has been kind of hard to get a read on. Despite being mediocre at best in a wealth of categories such a scoring (15th), rebounds (24th, surprising since they have Gasol and Randolph), assists (23rd), and points allowed (18th), they still managed to post impressive victories over the Mavs, Heat, and Lakers. Hopefully the Spurs don’t find themselves added to that list. Zach Randolph continues his career renaissance in Memphis by remaining a threat around the basket, especially when paired with Marc Gasol, making for a formidable frontline. This could be a game where Blair might find himself sent to the bench quickly in favor of Antonio McDyess whose height and size should provide for a better matchup to Gasol, and possibly switch with Duncan to cover Randolph. While the Grizzlies have a strong frontcourt that can cause problems, the Spurs will have the upper hand in the backcourt. It’ll be interesting to see how well the Spurs can attack the basket and get to the free throw line. While Memphis has a good frontcourt, if their bigs can get in early foul trouble, the Spurs can really blow this game open. This could be one of those sleeper games where the Spurs may play down to the level of the opponent, but seeing as how 4 out f their next 6 opponents include the Nuggets, Suns, Mavs, and Lakers, it would be wise to finish the week off on a high, before facing an even tougher schedule that will carry them through the new year.
Bucks and Grizzlies should be automatic wins. Denver may be a little tougher, but Spurs have creamed the Nuggets last year, so I don't think it will be any different this year with Nuggets besides the fact Spurs are way more healthy and playing way better ball.
My Prediction:
Spurs go 3-0
I'm a little concerned about Denver. They're playing very well right now, and it is the second night of a back to back. Even the Bucks won't be a pushover the first night.
I'm thinking 2-1.
this is where i hope Pop uses a Splitter/Blair frontcourt more to rest Duncan for tomorrow's game. not only do you rest Duncan, but you can continue to build Blair and incorporate Splitter.
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