Satyr
Paster of Muppets
Again coming off a solid night, let's try to keep the positive run.
Warning: this is NOT a fan call, I've been following and supporting the Spurs since 1994/1995 season, but I've never placed a fan bet on them nor any other team. I just don't get a kick from that. I like to keep my wallet far from my heart.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Ok here it is.
I'm switching sides here. I don't like the whole Lakers hype (on all forums now), and I'm ready to lay some chalk in order to pick out a winner, since I believe the Spurs are in a better spot than the Lakers. Initially I was a bit distracted by the home dog situation (the Lakers are, after all, a monster 19-5 in their building, but the Spurs have been road warriors as well, boasting a 15-6 record). The Spurs aren't worried about Phoenix and Dallas slipping away from them, the playoffs are far now (only a bit more than half of the regular is behind us), and SA have to keep their focus on improving their game and winning. Lakers have beaten San Antonio TWICE this season already, and tonight might be the chance for SA to redeem themselves for the two losses. I don't see this as a "must win" game for either team, nor a super important statement maker for San Antonio, but simply a better spot for them, and if you ask me, the bookies weren't wrong here. First off, the Spurs are traditionally very good at this time of the season, this is the fifth season the Spurs (31-14) have gone on the trip. The team has gone 25-6 the previous four seasons, including 6-2 last year.
I think this is an important note:
"January hasn't been very good for us, so going on a long road trip is either going to pull us together or apart," said Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, whose team is 8-6 this month. "Hopefully it is together. Usually it is the part of the season where we make the biggest step forward."
Manu knows his boys best, and I tend to agree, they are always good at this time of year, and after an unconvincing January (8-6) this might be a good period for them.
Ok, the situation now: SA are coming off a win against Memphis (who play no D), shooting 60% from the floor and getting another impressive performance by Tim Duncan. Duncan was 10-of-16 from the field for 26 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had a career-high nine blocked shots. He's averaged 22.9 points, 12.6 boards and 3.9 blocks over the past seven games.
Key factors: Reduce turnovers (19 in BOTH games) and contain Kobe (scored 34 points twice on them this season). Bruce should guard him well tonight, he usually responds strongly after such things. Even if Manu was the one who watched the most of Kobe in their last encounter, I think Popovich sends out Bowen for this one.
Lakers are 1-3 in their last 4 games. Something is wrong here, they've been making too many errors up front, don't seem to be clicking for an overall scoring performance as before. It doesn't have to mean that they're on a slide, but this run can't be good for their momentum or confidence.
They've been held below 45 percent from the field in four straight games, going 28-of-87 (32.2 percent) from 3-point range.
If Spurs impose their tough D on them, I don't think they'll have a chance, according to the current shooting mode they've been stuck in. I think Finley and Manu will drive to the basket a lot, boarding advantage should be quite equal, I expect Spurs' D and Lakers' poor shooting to be the decisive factor in this one. As far as the total goes, my initial lean was the over, still is (if I had to choose) but according to fundamental factors (which I believe will be crucial) I can't pull the trigger on the over.
6 units on SA ML (1.67 @ Pinnacle)
Coming back a bit later with more...
:cheers:
Warning: this is NOT a fan call, I've been following and supporting the Spurs since 1994/1995 season, but I've never placed a fan bet on them nor any other team. I just don't get a kick from that. I like to keep my wallet far from my heart.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Ok here it is.
I'm switching sides here. I don't like the whole Lakers hype (on all forums now), and I'm ready to lay some chalk in order to pick out a winner, since I believe the Spurs are in a better spot than the Lakers. Initially I was a bit distracted by the home dog situation (the Lakers are, after all, a monster 19-5 in their building, but the Spurs have been road warriors as well, boasting a 15-6 record). The Spurs aren't worried about Phoenix and Dallas slipping away from them, the playoffs are far now (only a bit more than half of the regular is behind us), and SA have to keep their focus on improving their game and winning. Lakers have beaten San Antonio TWICE this season already, and tonight might be the chance for SA to redeem themselves for the two losses. I don't see this as a "must win" game for either team, nor a super important statement maker for San Antonio, but simply a better spot for them, and if you ask me, the bookies weren't wrong here. First off, the Spurs are traditionally very good at this time of the season, this is the fifth season the Spurs (31-14) have gone on the trip. The team has gone 25-6 the previous four seasons, including 6-2 last year.
I think this is an important note:
"January hasn't been very good for us, so going on a long road trip is either going to pull us together or apart," said Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, whose team is 8-6 this month. "Hopefully it is together. Usually it is the part of the season where we make the biggest step forward."
Manu knows his boys best, and I tend to agree, they are always good at this time of year, and after an unconvincing January (8-6) this might be a good period for them.
Ok, the situation now: SA are coming off a win against Memphis (who play no D), shooting 60% from the floor and getting another impressive performance by Tim Duncan. Duncan was 10-of-16 from the field for 26 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had a career-high nine blocked shots. He's averaged 22.9 points, 12.6 boards and 3.9 blocks over the past seven games.
Key factors: Reduce turnovers (19 in BOTH games) and contain Kobe (scored 34 points twice on them this season). Bruce should guard him well tonight, he usually responds strongly after such things. Even if Manu was the one who watched the most of Kobe in their last encounter, I think Popovich sends out Bowen for this one.
Lakers are 1-3 in their last 4 games. Something is wrong here, they've been making too many errors up front, don't seem to be clicking for an overall scoring performance as before. It doesn't have to mean that they're on a slide, but this run can't be good for their momentum or confidence.
They've been held below 45 percent from the field in four straight games, going 28-of-87 (32.2 percent) from 3-point range.
If Spurs impose their tough D on them, I don't think they'll have a chance, according to the current shooting mode they've been stuck in. I think Finley and Manu will drive to the basket a lot, boarding advantage should be quite equal, I expect Spurs' D and Lakers' poor shooting to be the decisive factor in this one. As far as the total goes, my initial lean was the over, still is (if I had to choose) but according to fundamental factors (which I believe will be crucial) I can't pull the trigger on the over.
6 units on SA ML (1.67 @ Pinnacle)
Coming back a bit later with more...
:cheers:
?
