New Orleans Hornets (24 - 19) <font size="1">Road: 11-11 Last 10: 3-7</font> San Antonio Spurs (29 - 15) <font size="1">Home: 17-5 Last 10: 6-4</font> Previous Game Denver 91 @ New Orleans 97 San Antonio 86 @ Phoenix 84 Team History No real rivalry here. Last time they played at New Orleans, San Antonio beat them 84-74. Scoring across the Spurs starting line was extremely balanced and all starters had double digits. Tim Duncan failed to get a double double, though. For the Hornets, Baron Davis had 19 and 10 assists, Armstrong had 16 off the bench, and Magloire held down 12 and 11 boards. Probable Starters Darrell Armstrong (NOH) against Tony Parker (SAS) Steve Smith (NOH) against Hedo Turkoglu (SAS) George Lynch (NOH) against Bruce Bowen (SAS) PJ Brown (NOH) against Tim Duncan (SAS) Jamaal Magloire (NOH) against Rasho Nesterovic (SAS) Key Matchup vs. Jamaal Magloire: 11.5 PPG (.490 FG%), 6.70 RPG, 1.15 BPG Rasho Nesterovic: 9.2 PPG (.491 FG%), 8.00 RPG, 1.30 BPG Injuries <u>New Orleans Hornets</u> Baron Davis David Wesley Jamal Mashburn <u>San Antonio Spurs</u> Jason Hart Alex Garcia Sean Marks Keys to the Game: <u>New Orleans Hornets</u> <ul> [*]Contain Tim Duncan [*]Keep Charlie Ward and Hedo Turkoglu from getting open threes [*]Force Nesterovic to leave the paint on both ends [*]Clean the offensive glass and don't allow the Spurs second chance points [*]Make Duncan beat you with free throws [/list] <u>San Antonio Spurs</u> <ul> [*]Keep Magloire off the glass [*]Contain Darrell Armstrong [*]Force PJ Brown into tough, contested shots [*]Prevent Magloire from scoring off of second chance points [*]Don't let Darrell Armstrong steal the ball [*]Don't turn the ball over [/list] Just a reminder... Both teams are coming off of tough wins last night, though the Spurs have a slight advantage because they're playing at home. Hornets have last three of their starters, putting them at an extreme disadvantage there. Crossover's Prediction Well, it's definitely going to be a good game. I expect Darrell Armstrong to continue his consistent play, and for Magloire to get a double double in points and rebounds. If the Spurs can force PJ Brown into shots he's not comfortable taking and if Nesterovic can contain Magloire (at least in rebounds), then that will be a huge blow to the Hornets' offense. Ginobili is now coming off the bench, so he'll bring some energy back into the game whenever he steps on the floor. When he's out there, however, I expect the defensive powerhouse in Stacey Augmon to be guarding him, so we'll have to watch out for that. If the Spurs can get balanced scoring from all its starters, they will win this game. Spurs by 9.
Excellent preview, Crossover. If the Hornets can beat the Spurs without Mashburn, B.Davis, and Wesley then it's a sign San Antonio needs immediate help, probably through trade. However, I think this'll be a blowout. I predict the Spurs will win by twelve.
Update, now. After a slow start, Spurs are up 39-26, halfway through the second quarter. Armstrong and Magloire both have 7 points, but the Hornets as a team only have 3 assists. Malik Rose is leading the Spurs with 7 points, as well.
Darrell Armstrong torched the Spurs for a big 35 points. He hit several clutch shots at the end. Damn you Orlando, damn you. If you hadn't released him, we'd have won this game. Magloire stepped up, and Augmon did well, too. For the Spurs, Duncan got a double double this time, but Parker stayed in foul trouble and Nesterovic was gone by early fourth quarter, which was the real difference in the game. They saw that one of the twin towers was gone, to be replaced by lesser shotblockers in Robert Horry and Malik Rose, and they charmed right in after drawing Duncan away from the basket. Guess they really wanted to avenge that home loss to San Antonio, before. 98-96, Hornets won.
Nice preview, and nice sum up. I am impressed with Darrell, that's all I have to say. If it wasn't for him then this would have been the blowout that many predicted.
Thanks, starman. I was really disappointed with my Spurs tonight, though. They started quite well, and had a 17 point lead in the second quarter, then it was cut to 14, then 11 by a last second three by Armstrong. They barely maintained a 5 point lead they were nursing through the third, and New Orleans just took over in the fourth. Well, guess I'll have to go update the Spurs' Schedule thread...
Rough game for the Spurs. It looked as if they were going to pull it off, but they fell just short. Darrell Armstrong seemed to be the X-factor of the game..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Much needed win, sure that can get back on track now.</div> I'd have to agree, like the Mavs before, all they needed was a win in order to make their great comeback. As much as I love the Spurs, I wanted the Hornets to win, they'll be back to being bigger contenders once Mash is back. Great win! Hope there's more to come, I'm sorry that I can't say the same for the Magic. Also what's happening to the Kings?
