Spurs @ Kings Spurs (33-18) at Kings (34-12) Last meeting: Sacramento beat the Spurs 96-91 on Jan. 29 at the SBC Center. Key matchup: Tony Parker vs. Mike Bibby. Parker had 19 points and six assists when the teams last met. Bibby had 17 points and six assists, but hit some big shots in the second half to slow the Spurs' comeback bid. Spurs Starting lineup Bruce Bowen Tim Duncan Rasho Nesterovic Hedo Turkoglu Tony Parker Reserves Devin Brown Manu Ginobili Robert Horry Ron Mercer Malik Rose Charlie Ward Kevin Willis Kings Starting lineup Peja Stojakovic Brad Miller Vlade Divac Doug Christie Mike Bibby Reserves L. Funderburke Bobby Jackson Tony Massenburg Anthony Peeler Jabari Smith Darius Songaila Gerald Wallace Spurs Report Bench play will be key in this game, Bobby Jackson destroyed San Antonio in their last meeting registering 27 points off the bench, including a big 4 point play with 27 seconds remaining. Get the ball to Tim Duncan in the post, keep hitting outside shots, don't play to the Kings style of basketball. Slow down the game by setting up the offense and most importantly getting back on transition.
Nice analysis, the Kings have the better sixth man, Jackson. But they also have Ginobili and Rose, they'll probably be a major factor in a lot of the offensive and defensive provisions. This looks like a real tough one to call, the Kings seem to have the better team, players and lineup, I want the Spurs to win though. I'll say Spurs by 3.
My money is on the Kings. I think the Spurs will be tired from the Sonics game so I think the Kings will take advantage of that (they better). I have to agree with the big shots about Bibby he has, then again Parker gets hot too. I just think the Kings will be too much to handle in this game. Kings by 4
Good Preview...I am not going to make a prediction here..It should be a fun game..I think Spurs will HAVE to slow the ball down..and not get caught up in the Fast paced kings..This is something that worries me about T.P i dont think he has the discernment or basketball smarts to control that being so young..I think we will see ward get a lot of minutes in this one...Tim just has to play his game and make free-throws...Manu is going to have to make shots and plays...But it should ne really good...Tim and Rasho going against vlade and miller 4 seven footers..Should be an intresting game on the boards..Which duo will win the rebounding matchup..I think offensive rebounds are going to play a big part in this game for Spurs..Get tips,Fight, scratch do whatever you have to do to get those junk baskets..As this will prevent so many kings fast breaks!
The only time the Spurs can even consider trying to pace with the Kings is with both Ginobili and Parker on the floor and running it throughout, otherwise, the Kings will destroy them there. Pounding the ball inside to Duncan will be the norm, but I think it'll be critical to get Nesterovic offensively involved, as well. He hasn't had a 20/10 game since early this season, and recently, he hasn't even had a 10/10 game. He needs o become a threat. Defensively, the Spurs will have to shrug off their fatigue and run the floor to get back into their defensive set when the Kings inevitably run the floor. Getting back in transition is critical. I want to be confident in the Spurs tonight, and I'll take them by 4 at Arco. Let's hope defense takes a stand tonight. Of course, I really don't care who wins. I'll be my happiest if they finish the season series in a tie, since they're both my top teams. (see signature) And thanks for doing the preview, allnet.
I'm going to start calling the fourth quarter "The Ginobili Show." The Spurs have shown that they could beat one of the top teams now, and on the road. Make it three straight wins at Arco for the Spurs.
Seems the defense pimped the offense. 100-94. Pretty rare to see San Antonio make 100, though I didn't expect Sacramento to end higher than 87, really. Bowen did a great job on Peja, and Ginobili did well where he left off. Parker outplayed Bibby, and on that note, I've only one more thing to say. GINOBILI!
That was a great game...Yes Duncan showed why he is the MVP..Heck even if Tim doesnt win it this year..KG can win it..Because he's going out in the first round...At least he can say he got some kind of reward..Plus Tim steps up come play-off time....If you dont believe me check the stats..Its funny KG goes pretty quiet in the play-offs while Duncan "enhances" his game to a whole new level..He said it best himself...He is starting to wake up....Scary thougt!
KG and the Timberwolves aren't going out in the first round. That said, Duncan is a monster. Tony Parker is finally rounding out in the middle of the season and he's trying to establish himself as a second scoring option. As for Horry, yeah, they're seen that shot from that same place before...
Good game all around for the Spurs, this kind of win can start a big winning streak again. If your going to beat the Kings at the Arco Arena, your star player or someone else is going to have to step up, enter Tim Duncan. The Kings knew they had to watch him, but he puts up MVP like numbers in this one. But this was a good game from the rest of the Spurs aswell.
Scoring 32 and holding the Kings to 21 in the first quarter may have helped a bit, too. They pimpslapped them with a large helping of great defense. The Kings had zero fastbreak points that game, and Peja had one wide open shot. That's it. And of course, the Spurs are the only team to come into Arco and win on a regular basis.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">That shot by Horry was huge Bet Kings fans were thinking "NOT AGAIN PLEASE" </div> Yes I was one of those fans but Peeler kept them in that game though. It was a good one to watch
