You'd think Stern would want to project the image of stadia filled with raucous fans who care deeply about the game. Televising a Portland roadie so that you can get an Atlanta home game seems odd.
I think we stand a chance at home in March against SA. At the very end of the season in San Antonio? Not bloody likely. They're assassins on their home court in April. We're going to learn a tough lesson in playoff-level basketball on national television.
I think it will be good preparation for when the Blazers face them in the playoffs a week and a half later.
I was thinking that initially, but they will still have 4 games to play after this game. If any team could end up with a 4 game cushion either way in terms of playoff seeding, it would likely the Spurs in the 2nd spot.