The Not in Demand Early Prediction - Sonics

[Rummpd]

Traveling tonight won't be able to post this as usual 1/2 hour before but during streak within 3 points margin of victory 4x. Took a break for Bulls, because well, they are the BabyBulls of late (despite beating a certain LA team looking up in the standings at the Clippers - how great is that!)

Tonight THE GAME will go like this:

Tim struggles early but really gets it going and finishes with a true MVP performance with about 31/11/3 over Sonics hired thugs. Of note he gets hot at the line and being more aggressive than of late, gets about 11 to fall. He even launches a 3 again at end of quarter, but alas this misses barely. Still no worries.

Allen is almost totally shut down by a combination of Bowen, Ginobli and Brown - he scores 22 but ala Kobe takes lots of shots (>22) to get there.

Sonics stay close as others Ridnaour (spelling?) etc. and Fortson contribute but by middle of 3rd four Spurs besides Tim drive the surge: Parker with a steady 17 point game, Ginobli who matches Allen PT with a lot more efficiency, Brown with 12 and Rose who delivers 8+ clutch rebounds. Barry has a decent game but not his long awaited breakthrough (17+) which will come tommorow vs. Houston and Rasho is kind, of well, Rasho with about 7 and 7 in fairly limited minutes as Pop goes to Rose, Horry and Massenburg against the physical Sonics (Horry to pull them outside some). Beno really good in stretches feeding TimMVP in the perfect place repeatedly for easy dunks and off the class shots of beauty. Manu and Tony get in the act with some awesome penetration and dishes to Brown and Tim for clutch shots.

Spurs get big win by 12 and at one point led by 17 in 4th before Allen finally gets hot with a couple of treys. Key to victory, after Pop on back all week Spurs make less than 12 turnovers and block 6 shots and alter many more.

No matter = big friggin win by a very motivated and professional team.

17-3. "Nuevo esta numero recto" (or something like that for 9 in a row) Mark it down. No Worries About this One. "The Sage"

MadDoc

MadDoc

[boutons]

I didn't see the SAS@SEA game, but Tim was 4-16.

I assume he was just cold, got pushed around (and out from the basket where he played statue of Liberty or dribbled into traffic), or both.

This is game that should be played with "Win or Go Home" playoff intensity. Fnck Pop if he's saying "I don't care if lose now, as long as we play The Right Pop Way".

Tim needs toughen up, be game MVP. Spurs need to make statement now that nobody gets to the NBA le without beating the Spurs' defense. Same when MIN and PHX come to town later this month.

[spursfaninla]

Its one thing to post a general prediction, or even to specify something you think will happen.

But you went crystal ball on us. I am seriously starting to worry about you;

[smeagol]

TD needs to bring it. After he was humiliated by Forston in Seattle, I'm hoping for a good game fromt the big guy.

[JUUOT]

we will see
see you to discuss after the game

[johnny00]

Actually during thier last meeting the Spurs came out with ZERO intensity and played as if the Sonics were supposed to roll over and die....after all we now have Brent Barry don't we? Well I hope lesson has been learned. I fully expect a more than motivated effort from the boys in Silver and Black tonight, with Seattle leaving with their fourth loss of the season.

[Solid D]

I'm not the best at predicting, but I will list some Keys to the Game for the Spurs:

1. Keep Danny Fortson, Reggie Evans and Nick Collison boxed out and be demonstrative with reaction to over-the-backs and charges (better known as flopping).

* Note: This accomplishes 2 things. It specifically limits Danny Fortson's offensive rebounds. He averages almost as many offensive rebounds (3.2) as defensive (3.3). Secondly, Danny Fortson has scored 71 points off FTs and 76 points off FGs. Nobody in the NBA gets more FTs per 48 minutes (ranks #1) and nobody in the NBA gets more offensive caroms per 48 minutes (#1).

2. Defend with anticipation and switches, the simple hand-off screen in the early offense on the perimeter. The four guards live off these. Dribble to the wing, hand-off, pull up jumper.

3. Effort 100% for every loose ball. Seattle will, so the Spurs must!

I'm not sure if this thread is the right place for this but I'll move it if there is a "Keys To the Game" thread established later.

[Solid D]

I'm not the best at predicting, but I will list some Keys to the Game for the Spurs:

1. Keep Danny Fortson, Reggie Evans and Nick Collison boxed out and be demonstrative with reaction to over-the-backs and charges (better known as flopping).

* Note: This accomplishes 2 things. It specifically limits Danny Fortson's offensive rebounds. He averages almost as many offensive rebounds (3.2) as defensive (3.3). Secondly, Danny Fortson has scored 71 points off FTs and 76 points off FGs. Nobody in the NBA gets more FTs per 48 minutes (ranks #1) and nobody in the NBA gets more offensive caroms per 48 minutes (#1).

2. Defend with anticipation and switches, the simple hand-off screen in the early offense on the perimeter. The four guards live off these. Dribble to the wing, hand-off, pull up jumper.

3. Effort 100% for every loose ball. Seattle will, so the Spurs must!

I'm not sure if this thread is the right place for this but I'll move it if there is a "Keys To the Game" thread established later.

I guess the Spurs failed to ^^^^^^ and then couldn't convert enough down the stretch.

Anyone still doubting Fortson's impact? Don't say I didn't try to 'splain it thoroughly enough the past 3 weeks.

[Marcus Bryant]

Another reason SD is not on my ignore list.