WHO: (19-17) @ (29-9) WHERE: The AT &T Center, San Antonio, TX WHEN: Wednesday January 18th, 2006, 7:30 PM TV-Radio MILWAUKEE: TV: UPN 24 RADIO: WTMJ 620 SAN ANTONIO: TV: FSN SW RADIO: WOAI 1200 PREVIOUS MATCHUPS Bucks: Bucks 95 @ Mavs 114 Spurs: Spurs 93 @ Grizzlies 83 SEASON SERIES 12/20 Spurs 107 @ Bucks 109 OT 1/18 Bucks @ Spurs Streaks Bucks: Lost 2 Spurs: Won 2 Injuries Bucks: Joe Smith- OUT (Knee) Charlie Bell-OUT (Knee) Spurs: Sean Marks- OUT Ankle Probable Starters C: Jamaal Maglorie/Rasho Nesterovic PF: Andrew Bogut/Tim Duncan SF: Bobby Simmons/Bruce Bowen SG: Michael Redd/Manu Ginobili PG: TJ Ford/Tony Parker 6th Men: Mo Williams/Michael Finley Coaches: Terry Stotts (1st yr w/ Bucks, 3rd ov. 71-102) Gregg Popovich (10th yr w/Spurs 484-242, 10th ov.) Matchup to Watch Michael Redd vs Manu Ginobili Redd: 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 43.1% FG 41.9% 3pt 84.6% FT Manu: 15.7 PPG 4.0 RPG 3.0 APG 48.8% FG 34.9% 3pt 75.8% FT Predictions The Bucks head to stop number two on the Texas swing, to take on the World Champs. The Bucks beat the Spurs at the buzzer on a Bogut tip in back in December, but this Bucks team now is in a state of disaray, and if they don't come ready to play, and snap out of their funk, this could get ugly Spurs 108 Bucks 88
This is going to be a tough game for the Bucks. They just came off an embarassing loss to the Mavs, and now face the all mighty Spurs on the road. The Texas Triangle has always been a deadly road trip for teams to deal with, and I don't see the Bucks capable of winning. The Bucks do match up well with the Spurs, but the lack of defense is starting to catch up with this team. Giving up 100+ points in inexcusable when you have the frontline depth and skill the Bucks have. One of the main reasons Porter was let go was his inability to get the team to play defense. Stotts was brought in because he was looked at as a defensive wizard, but so far the results haven't been their for this team. I haven't heard the Bucks having any interest in Artest, but maybe they start putting out some feelers for him or some other names being rumored to be on the move. The Bucks do have some tradeable pieces, how about sending Simmons over to Denver and getting Watson & Nene in return? Watson is one of the better defensive PGs in the league, and despite having Ford and Mo Williams, having that lock down defender down the stretch in close games is needed in Milwaukee. Nene won't do much for the team this year, but adding him gives the Bucks A LOT of options in the off-season. They could field offers for Nene, Magloire, and Gadz. Another name floating around is Pietrus out of Golden State. The Warriors are in dire need of a post presence and Magloire would make sense there. How about a deal for Murphy & Pietrus for Magloire? After watching the way Tony Parker is playing, it's hard to imagine the Bucks keeping him out of the lane. He leads the league in points in the paint, which is amazing considering he's a PG. The Bucks drop one game closer to hitting the .500 mark. Fortunately, they have some easy games coming up against the Hawks, Bobcats, and depleted Rockets. If they lose tonight they must win all three of those.
I wouldn't mind getting Pietrus or someone like that, an athletic wing defender, but I don't see us giving up Magloire right now, while Joe is still hurt, and it's also kind of hard to see us giving him up after we gave up EXACTLY the type of player we need right now in order to get him. Man, do I miss Desmond Mason. At least he gave you an honest and solid defensive effort night in and night out, which sadly is a HELL of a lot more than you can say for about 75% of the Bucks' players this year. I'm really, really getting frustrated with this. What's funny is that, just like I figured before the season started, we got rid of a guy in Terry Porter who would make his guys get out there and play some sticky defense (and if they didn't, he had no problem sitting them), and instead brought in Stotts, who is a freakin' statue out there-no emotion, no intensity, no sense of how to get his guys to play defense. The thought has been wiggling around in my head more and more lately, and I'm beginning to wonder whether we'd be better off with a different coach.
The Bucks are hanging tough so far and only trail by 1 point at halftime. They have forced the Spurs into a perimeter team and the Spurs have already taken 9 3pointers and just 10 free throws. Michael Redd and Mo Williams are leading the way with 8 points each.
