The warriors in Silver and Black are making the trip up to the frozen land of a thousand lakes. There they will battle against a young team hungry for respect. The Timberwolves recently played the NBA Champion runner-ups, the Miami Heat, to almost a standstill. The close game ended with a missed shot by Minnesota. That missed shot represents the present for the Timberwolves. With a new coach, Rick Adelman, at the helm, this team will look for future promise while working with a new system and attempting to erase the coaching of their previous chief.
Minnesota comes off a tough loss against Miami, a game on Sunday against the defending champions, Mavericks and on a SEGABABA, they will play the Spurs. A hell of a three game stretch for the team, Minnesota will be pleased to pull out a win against of one of the three.
On the Spurs side, fans witnessed a great two game start by the former NBA champions. Rival Memphis and the revamped Clippers both fell to the veteran team, led by Manu Ginoboli. San Antonio then traveled to I-10 rival Houston and Pop decided the game would be an extended practice for his troops. Tim Duncan was unimpressive and Manu was not as dominate as he had been in the first two games. The team was led by DeJuan Blair who had a decent game against Houston's frontcourt.
San Antonio picked themselves back up during the recent Utah game. They had their way with the Jazz, who trailed behind the Spurs most of the game. Popovich was able to spread the time on the floor around and spare his veteran core any major heavy lifting. In this blogger's opinion, Popovich hopes that he can do the same against Minnesota.
Last season Minnesota put up a fight last year but ended up losing all their games against the Spurs. San Antonio will look to extend their winning streak to two, while Minnesota will be fighting for their first of the season (unless they drop the Mavericks Sunday night).
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NBA Stats Cube Lineup Comparison Here
As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate.
0 recs | 35 comments
Fuck it, Spurs by 30!!!
spursfan87 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Can the Spurs handle the sparkle of BOTH Tiago AND Rubio?
Josh Guyer (completely deck) - January 2, 2012
TOO MUCH SPARKLE
Joe deLarios - January 2, 2012
Since when does Rubio sparkle?
alamobro - January 2, 2012
You kidding? His fans would have you believe he’s the second coming.
Josh Guyer (completely deck) - January 2, 2012
I guess we’ll have to wait and see which one outsparkles the other.
Manu ex Machina - January 2, 2012
That’ll be hard to quantify, especially since most of those sparkling lights are merely reflections from the shiny shimmering splendid entity that is Manu.
day_late_friend - January 2, 2012
Josh Guyer (completely deck) - January 2, 2012
poor #1…
:(
In the 666 - January 2, 2012
The loneliest number
Manu ex Machina - January 2, 2012
If I understand the Stats cube lineup comparison, it seems like Adelman needs to do some serious adjustments. His starting lineup is below the team average in almost every facet of the game. I know it has to do with them playing opposing starters but such a divide is insane.
LasEspuelas - January 2, 2012
thought the same thing – surprised he is not starting Rubio – either he is getting beat in practice or Adelman doesn’t want to shake things up too much yet
Joe deLarios - January 2, 2012
Love looks like he dropped alot of weight. He looks terrific.
alamobro - January 2, 2012
Sorry to be a party pooper, and I’d love to be proven wrong, but this feels like an L. Remember how these guys abused our frontcourt last year?(possibly more so than Memphis did before the playoffs) They still have the same bigs, plus a walking mismatch named Derrick Williams. Also, Rubio gives them another dimension, but is turnover prone – Spurs have to be opportunistic when he’s on the floor.
Tim C. - January 2, 2012
Derrick Williams seems to do not so well on the drive and pull up shots. Hopefully we make him do that. I wonder who will pick up Beasley’s minutes.
These guys will test out defense in a good fashion. Will be a good game!
LionZion - January 2, 2012
I was thinking this too. I can see this either being a close loss or a close win. No blowout here. Adelman has always played the Spurs tough, and with a team that abused us last year, I expect we have a rough battle ahead.
Jordan Leithart - January 2, 2012
its going to be a good test for Blair
spursfan87 - January 2, 2012
I remember the play of the game in one contest being when Manu drew the 6th foul on Darko.
SleepCrack - January 2, 2012 via mobile
The Wolves played Dallas last night and we are fresh. This is a schedule gift. I think we blow them out.
Fred Silva - January 2, 2012
Good point. I still think it will be tough, but that makes it look better for us.
Tim C. - January 2, 2012
Did anyone see Rubio’s Manu like bounce pass from yesterday’s game? After watching that I searched and found this in youtube. Great passes, great potential!
Galfusica - January 2, 2012
The one he threw between Dirk’s legs for a corner three? That was nice.
Fred Silva - January 2, 2012
His old highlights are great,
but he seems to look even better this year. Here are his highlights from the Miami game, and here are the Rubio and Love highlights from the Dallas game.
Cynical Jason - January 2, 2012
The Wolves beat the Mavs yesterday with a 4th quarter run. They are 1-3. Beasley broke his finger in yesterday’s game so I don’t think he will be playing, but I could be wrong.
Manu should have a great game. Wes Johnson is looking more and more like a bust and they have no one else that can guard Manu. Rubio looks like he was worth the hype. I’m really think this is going to be a test for Blair. If he doesn’t box out and he doesn’t close out on 3 pointers, Love could go for 30 and 30 like he did last season against the Knicks. Our PnR defense should also get a pretty tough test since Rubio is an amazing PnR player.
Edg5 - January 2, 2012
IMO, the Wolves are better without Beas. He a black hole on offense, and I fear the ball movement and smart offensive decisions that might be made in his absence.
Tim C. - January 2, 2012
Agreed. But as far as Adelman is concerned, Derrick Williams is a PF, apparently. They don’t have anyone else on that spot. I just read that Beas might be clear to play, though. His finger wasn’t broken after all. Which makes “Oh shit, that’s my bone” even funnier.
Edg5 - January 2, 2012
Haha, I missed that. I like how the team doc grabs him right afterward, as if he’s trying get him to be more sensible.
He may have seen bone, but I once got a pretty deep scrape on my pinky and thought I was seeing bone, but it wasn’t that bad.
Manu ex Machina - January 2, 2012
Wrecked on ridiculousness!
Joe deLarios - January 2, 2012
Ugh. Karma is a bitch…
Edg5 - January 2, 2012
Like everybody else has said, tough battle tonight but hope it’s a win! Go Spurs Go!
With the Suns winning against the Warriors earlier today, here are my other predictions for tonight:
Wizards < Celtics
Pacers > Nets
Raptors < Knicks
Hawks < Heat
Magic > Pistons
Thunder > Mavericks
Bucks < Nuggets
Hornets < Jazz
Marky G - January 2, 2012
You guys should check out the preview at canishoopus(CH). Something like some of the old previews we used to have. I love some of the names they have come up with.
Favorite → Darkobacca
LionZion - January 2, 2012
BAHAHAHAHA! Those guys are great.
Tim C. - January 2, 2012
Damn. Epic.
silverandblack_davis - January 2, 2012
That was awesome
Joe deLarios - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Adelman is a great hire for this team.
quincyscott - January 2, 2012
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