2007-2008 NBA regular season opener: Portland @ San Antonio

CelticBalla32 · Oct 30, 2007

<table border="1" class="gamePreview">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="center" colspan="2">
October 30, 2007 @ 8:00pm ET
AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX)
Game aired on TNT

</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="center">


Portland Trail Blazers
 (0-0)


</td>
<td class="center">


San Antonio Spurs
(0-0)


</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="roster">
<td>


PG Jarrett Jack SG Brandon Roy

SF Martell Webster PF LaMarcus Aldridge C Joel Przybilla


</td>
<td>


PG Tony Parker SG Michael Finley

SF Bruce Bowen PF Tim Duncan C Francisco Elson


</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>2006-2007 Team Stats</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="seasonStats">
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>94.1 PPG (29th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>45.0% (21st)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>34.6% (24th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>39.3 RPG (28th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>18.5 APG (30th)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>98.5 PPG (17th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>47.4% (2nd)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>38.1% (4th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>40.7 RPG (17th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>22.1 APG (11th)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Preseason Team Leaders</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="seasonStats">
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>LaMarcus Aldridge (19.5 PPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Joel Przybilla (8.0 RPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Sergio Rodriguez (4.0 APG)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Manu Ginobili (17.6 PPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Tim Duncan (6.3 RPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Manu Ginobili (4.0 APG)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Key Matchup
</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="prediction">
<td colspan="2">
<div align="center">

LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Tim Duncan
</div>

Unfortunately, we won't be watching a Greg Oden vs. Tim Duncan matchup tonight, but we will be watching two very talented bigs go at it. LaMarcus Aldridge really began to emerge last season, before he was sidelined with minor heart issues. He has worked incredibly hard this summer, has recieved praise from fans and the coaching staff, and is ready to break out. With Zach Randolph out of town, there is nothing in his way. However, he'll have his work cut out for him tonight, as he's going head-to-head with the best big man in the entire league. Good luck, LaMarcus.
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="keyStrategy">
<td>
<ul>[*]D Up: If Portland doesn't bring their "A Game" defnsively, they have no chance at winning this game. They have to lock down the inside, but at the same time, they need to do a good job with cutting off penetration (especially from Parker). Obviously, that's much easier said that done, but Portland must make crisp defensive rotations.

[*]Own the Boards: Portland was one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA last season. With the subtractions of Zach Randolph and Jamaal Magloire to go along with the loss of Greg Oden, that is expected to happen yet again. However, coach McMillan doesn't want to hear any excuses. Outrebounding San Antonio is key tonight.
[*]Make Good Decisions: The Trail Blazers are a young team, but again, coach Nate McMillan doesn't want to hear any excuses. You can't get careless with the basketball and expect to beat the San Antonio Spurs. Portland must move the ball well, but at the same time, make sure they are taking care of it and limiting mistakes.[/list]
</td>
<td>
<ul>[*]Don't Give Them Many Open Looks: Portland is not a very good perimeter shooting team, but they do have a couple guys who can light it up if given room to operate. Martell Webster has made some big strides this summer, and is a dynamite jump shooter. Roy and Blake can get hot. They added James Jones, who is a known sniper from deep. They can't allow Portland to get open looks.
[*]Outrun Them: Although Portland is a young team, Nate McMillan likes to run a structured halfcourt offense. With the amount of mistakes they are expected to make, converting on the break is a must for San Antonio. Portland is athletic, but if you can put a stamp on the fast break points against them, you're in good shape.

[*]Don't Disappoint the Fans: There is no reason why San Antonio shouldn't win this game. So I ask you, please, do not embarrass yourself in front of the home crowd like Miami did last year. The ring ceremony is going to be emotional and epic, as it should be, but do not let it affect the outcome of the game like Pat Riley's Heat did a year ago. Enjoy the moment, but just make sure you play Spurs basketball and show the league that you've still got it.
[/list]
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4 align="center">X-Factors</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="x factor">
<td>

 Joel Przybilla

As mentioned above, Portland needs to play good defense and make sure they get position on the glass. That is Joel Przybilla's primary job, so he needs to make sure he does it tonight... and does it well.
</td>
<td>

 Tony Parker

Tony Parker has established himself as a star in this league, and he is expected to produce every night. Tonight, though, it would be nice to see Parker really take it to Portland's young guards. As long as Parker can abuse them, San Antonio should easily win this game.
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4 align="center">Injury Report
</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="x factor">
<td>

Greg Oden: Recovering from right knee surgery.

Darius Miles: Recovering from right knee surgery.

</td>
<td>None</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Prediction</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="prediction">
<td colspan="2">

Again, there's no reason why San Antonio should lose this game. Portland is a young team with a lot of talent, but they shouldn't be able to handle the beast of the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs. I expect San Antonio to take this game without much of a problem.

The 2007-2008 NBA season is here, folks. Enjoy!
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

CelticKing · Oct 30, 2007

You have the Mavs pic on the top. (should be spurs) lol

Other than that it looks great.

San Antone will win of course.

Spurs 91 - 83 Blazers

pegs · Oct 30, 2007

Nice, nice. One BIG thing, might wanna change this right away: Instead of a Spurs picture, there's a Mavericks picture. and this section:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>
<h4>The Cavs since 2003 v Dallas</h4>

The two teams have met 8 times. The Cavaliers have won just twice, averaging 96.1 PPG, whereas the Mavericks have won six times, averaging 101.9 PPG. LeBron James averages 31.5 PPG (his second best), 6.1 RPG and 5.8 APG against the Mavericks. In each of the last six games against the Mavs, LeBron has scored at least 31 points, with his highest being 46. If he can continue this trend, the Cavaliers will be sitting pretty with a very good chance of winning the game.</div>

Other than that, everything looks great.



This is a REALLY one sided game. It'll be interesting to see what Portland's game plan is, because it seems like they don't have a chance.

CelticBalla32 · Oct 30, 2007

I know, there's a problem with the pictures because Chingy uploaded a Spurs picture that was way too big. He's fixing it. I'll update that as soon as he does.

EDIT: Alright, I just fixed everything.

Shapecity · Oct 30, 2007

Spurs and their fans should be amped up after they get their championship rings. It's a shame Oden won't be available, but their are some good matchups in this game. I'm looking forward to Roy and Bowen going at it. I don't think this is going to be blow out most are expecting. Portland's roster presents a lot of potential matchup problems for the Spurs and they have a lot of capable scorers with speed and athleticism.

CelticBalla32 · Oct 30, 2007

I just beefed up the Key Matchup section. I love the template Chingy made, huge props to him. I just tinkered some things, though.

bbwchingy0007 · Oct 30, 2007

Should be an easy win for the Spurs. I'm thinking 96-73. They won't let up in the celebration of their Championship with the World watching the start of the season.

CelticKing · Oct 30, 2007

Anyone watching the game?

Blazers are playing pretty good, its just that the Spurs are on another level. haha

Spurs leading 21-14, its first quarter with 3 mins left

GMJ · Oct 30, 2007

Good god I hate the spurs. Hopefully Blake can make it rain from 3pt range and they can pull out the upset

CelticKing · Oct 30, 2007

Almost halftime, Spurs 57 - 47 Blazers.

pegs · Oct 30, 2007

This is getting close. Portland, down by 3 with 2 minutes left in the 3rd. Spurs 77- 74 Blazers. Who woulda thunk it?

CelticKing · Oct 30, 2007

Imagine if they had Oden.

zєяσ · Oct 30, 2007

Blazers are doing well I heard. last I checked they were down by 3.

high54life · Oct 30, 2007

Imagine if they took Green instead of Webster in 05.

CelticBalla32 · Oct 30, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (High54Life)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Imagine if they took Green instead of Webster in 05.

</div>

Yeah, imagine if they did that. They would have shot the ball at a lower percentage and turned the ball over more tonight. Thank God for Martell Webster, eh?

Well played game. Portland moved the ball very well, and everybody worked their tails off all night long. Brandon Roy should have moved off the ball more and came off a few extra screens, because he looked terrible trying to take Bowen 1-on-1. Jarrett Jack didn't do a very good job at the top of the key when he was pressured, either. He played a pretty sloppy game.

I loved what I saw out of Webster, Aldridge, and Przybilla, though. We know that Webster can shoot the ball, but he played very aggressively tonight and was very active defensively. The starting SF spot is his to lose, I hope he can keep up his stellar play. He may be in position to break out this season. Aldridge as well... I picked him to win Most Improved, and he was terrific tonight. San Antonio's bigs had a tough time with him from 15-18 feet out, as they are more apt to sliding their feet in the painted area. Aldridge did a great job with spacing the defense and knocking down those mid-range jumpers. Przybilla had a lot of trouble defending Duncan, but he put a body on him and got outstanding position on the glass. Hopefully, he can stay healthy this year.

I like Steve Blake running this offense better than Jack. I think Jack is the better defender, but Blake fits the starting lineup better, in my opinion. He has a knack for finding the open guy, and with Portland wanting to push the tempo a bit more this season, I don't see Blake staying out of the rotation for much longer.

gambitnut · Oct 30, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (High54Life)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Imagine if they took Green instead of Webster in 05.

</div>

Websterisofftoagoodstartthisseason. How'sGreendoing?

Log in or Sign up

2007-2008 NBA regular season opener: Portland @ San Antonio

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

CelticKing The Green Monster

pegs My future wife.

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

bbwchingy0007 BBW Member

CelticKing The Green Monster

GMJ Suspended

CelticKing The Green Monster

pegs My future wife.

CelticKing The Green Monster

zєяσ Truth is beautiful

high54life Sky's The Limit

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

gambitnut Freek

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

2007-2008 NBA regular season opener: Portland @ San Antonio

Moderators

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

CelticKing The Green Monster

pegs My future wife.

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

bbwchingy0007 BBW Member

CelticKing The Green Monster

GMJ Suspended

CelticKing The Green Monster

pegs My future wife.

CelticKing The Green Monster

zєяσ Truth is beautiful

high54life Sky's The Limit

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

gambitnut Freek

Share This Page

Useful Searches