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Pooh, if the Spurs lose I'll buy your book.
San Antonio has enjoyed the kind of stability the Pacers can only envy. While Indiana has patched together 17 lineups, the Spurs have had the same starting five in 32 of their 33 games. As a result, they're 26-7 overall, 15-1 at home, where they've won seven in a row. The Pacers are on a four-game win streak -- coinciding with a stabilization of the starting lineup -- and are 16-13 overall.
Though Jermaine O'Neal has carried the team of late, including 86 points in the last two games, Coach Rick Carlisle knows the team can't continue to rely too heavily on the power forward. He points to San Antonio as an example. While the Spurs have won six of their last seven games, franchise forward Tim Duncan has scored more than 20 points just once.
"They're a much more balanced team," Carlisle said. "It's not just 'take away Tim Duncan and you have a chance to win.' Duncan is averaging 34, 35 minutes and they're getting a lot of scoring from other places. They're a great 3-point shooting team, they drive the ball, they have playmakers at all their positions. It's a difficult proposition because of the balance they have at both ends of the court. This is, in my estimation, the best team in the West right now, and that's with all due respect to Phoenix, who's doing some phenomenal things. But San Antonio's been there before, so they're tough."
Both teams also rely heavily on strong defenses. San Antonio is first in the NBA in points allowed (85.1) and field goal percentage allowed (.412). The Pacers' defense has shown signs of recovery in the streak, allowing 83.8 points in the last four games, nearly 10 below the season average of 93.6.
TRENDS
The Pacers are 4-0 since Michael Curry moved into the starting lineup. ... Jermaine O'Neal has averaged 29.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots in five game since returning from suspension. ... Jeff Fosterhas averaged 11.3 points and 13.4 rebounds while posting eight double-doubles in the last 10 games. ... Reggie Miller has averaged just 12.8 points on .357 shooting on the road. ... In the last three games, Miller has averaged 7.3 points on .269 shooting (.133 from the arc).
The Spurs' Duncan ranks 14th in the NBA in scoring (21.8) and second in rebounds (11.9), blocked shots (2.94) and double-doubles (25). ... Tony Parker has averaged 4.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.5 turnovers in the last two games. ... Manu Ginobili ranks sixth in steals (1.88) but has gone 4-of-18 from the arc in the last five. ... Bruce Bowen is coming off a season-high 24 in a victory over the Lakers Tuesday. ... After a slow start, Brent Barry is coming around, averaging 11.8 points in the last four. ... Rookie Beno Udirh is fifth in 3-point accuracy (.469).
SERIES
The Spurs have won three of the last four meetings overall and five of six at home. The Pacers are 14-18 all-time (NBA) in San Antonio.
KEY MATCHUP
Power Forward - O'Neal and Duncan are two of the best big men in the NBA and are the suns around which their teams revolve. Oddly, Duncan shot .317 against the Pacers last season (13-of-41) while O'Neal shot .367 against the Spurs (18-of-49).
INJURIES
Pacers - C Scot Pollard (back) and F Jonathan Bender (knee) are on the injured list; F Ron Artest and G-F Stephen Jackson are on the suspended list.
Spurs - F Linton Johnson (ankle), C Sean Marks (back) and F Romain Sato (knee) are on the injured list.
Link
Starting lineups:
PG - Tinsley vs Parker
SG - Reggie vs Manu
SF - Curry vs Bowen
PF - J.O. vs Duncan
C - Foster vs Rasho
I hope Indy gives the Spurs a run for their money but I think the Spurs are just a little better right now. But who knows?
Pooh, if the Spurs lose I'll buy your book.
Just a little better?
Man, your dumb Pacer pride sure does show.
Spurs somewhere in the hundreds.
Pacers somehwere in the 80's.
Hi Kori! Any update on Brent Barry? Can he play tonight?
Pacers are missing two starters (counting Jackson) and are playing the Spurs where they've been nearly indomitable this season. It might not be a close game.
What is potentially going on with Barry for those not in SA??
MadDoc
I agree.
Whats with your extreme hatred toward Duncan? I am no Wolves fan BY ANY stretch of the imagination, but I do recognize the fact that KG is a great player. What else does "The Great Timmy D.," as you call him, have to do for you to recognize that he IS a great player? 2 more les? 2more MVP's? 2 more finals MVP's? 7 more all-star games? Knock Min out the playoffs 2 more times? What?
Self induced. If they weren't so stupid, they could have had to use MANY fewer lineups.San Antonio has enjoyed the kind of stability the Pacers can only envy. While Indiana has patched together 17 lineups, the Spurs have had the same starting five in 32 of their 33 games.
SA 106
IN 80
Wolves009, you little . Your team is in a tailspin and dropping games to expansion teams, so you have nothing left to do but be a hatah. Bring it on.
When do the Wolves move to Las Vegas?
Spurs by 15.
The Pacers are like a boxer without arms.
Spurs are favored by 11 in Vegas...so I say they will cover the spread.
Spurs 110
Pacers 89
Pacers will play well but I think they will fall short
Spurs 95
Pacers 93
Hey Pooh when is Jackson coming back?
Jackson returns on the 26th against the Celtics
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