Well some people are breathing sighs of relief that Manu isn't hurt too badly, and other folks are sighing with worry over the fate of Tiago. To be fair, there are some who sigh no matter what Tiago does, so this may have nothing to do with his calf and everything to do with the sparkles. Two weeks without those two may feel like an eternity. This is a tough stretch, no doubt about it. The Spurs are on the road, homesick, short-handed, facing some very good teams. Would I rather our Spurs were 100% healthy? You bet. On the other hand, I think every team in the league has had to deal with the injury issue. And I guarantee I know one group of fans that will not be shedding any tears for the Spurs' injury problems. Of all teams, the Portland Trailblazers don't want to hear it, and I don't blame them. That's a long-suffering set of fans over in Oregon, and my hat's off to them. The Blazers are always a tough and worthy opponent. So let's get it on!
Portland was on the the road last night as well, and got trounced by the Lakers. The Blazers are hovering around .500, and are on the bubble of making the playoffs. But this is not a team to take lightly. Of their sixteen losses, ten have been close, within two possessions, and several of those went to overtime, against some quality opponents like Dallas and Oklahoma City. Last time I watched the Blazers they lost a tough one to Dallas, and though the Mavericks came out on top the Blazers were relentless, answering every big Maverick basket with one of their own until they just ran out of time. Aldridge was scary good that game, hitting some clutch baskets and lighting up the scoreboard with 33 points. This is a well-coached, talented, resilient bunch, and they are especially tough to beat on their home court, where they are a very respectable 12-5. Nate McMillan is once again putting a team on the floor that plays hard on both ends. Portland is in the top ten in the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency, as well as in points per game and assists. Of course LaMarcus Aldridge is always a handful for the Spurs, and all the more so with Splitter missing from the lineup. Small forwards Nicolas Batum and Gerald Wallace are both averaging double figures this season, and Kawhi Leonard, Daniel Green and Richard Jefferson will need to play solid defense on those two. Raymond Felton is doing a serviceable job for the Blazers, with 10 points and 6 assists per game, and he always seems to have a good game versus the Spurs. But Tony Parker is playing incredibly, and he will win that battle.
The Blazers have the length and depth that can test a short-handed Spurs front line. Gregg Popovich will not be anxious to give Tim Duncan a lot of minutes, particularly on the second night of a back-to-back. DeJuan Blair and Matt Bonner are going to need to play some staunch post defense, and as strange as is feels to be writing this, I think I feel more confident about Bonner meeting that demand. Prove me wrong, DeJuan!
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NBA Stats Cube Lineup Comparison Here. Trailblazers perspective can be found over at the always entertaining Blazers Edge.
Game Prediction: These two franchises know each other well, and I expect a tight battle. Do the Spurs have the bodies to compete tonight? Call me an optimist, but the young ones have been finding a way to get it done this season. Portland loses another heartbreaker tonight, and Spurs win by 3.
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 | 38 comments
I am very concerned about this game. However, I recall this one time where I was concerned about a game against a young feisty team—I think it was the Clippers? Then there was this Neal guy who was completely clutch. The rest is memorialized in Spurs franchise history.
The Augustus - February 21, 2012
Maybe Jefferson will be clutch instead.
quincyscott - February 21, 2012
Again
doggydogworld - February 21, 2012
He just was last night.
grego21 - February 21, 2012
And yet YOU’RE the one with a bust in your honor.
Go figure! =]
J.R. Wilco - February 21, 2012
If we should lose on this season RRT, I think this is the game. But, duck it.. 9-0 all the way! Go Spurs Go.
koroisthebest05 - February 21, 2012
We played ‘em on 1/13 and won 99-83 and Manu did not play. Tony was cold for 3 and went off in the 4th for 12 and a total of 20 for the night. Tim only played 21 min, resulting in only 9 reb. and 7pts. Blair had a good game as did Tiago. Bonner only played 6 min. and shot one 3 and made it for 3. If Bonner can work and preform like he did last night against Utah, it should offset Tiago’s previous production. If there are any fumes left in the tank from last night, they are needed.
indiancharlie - February 21, 2012
Timmy played an awful lot of minutes last night. The Blazers stunk it up in the first quarter, but played a solid second half in LA. And they are a much better team at home.
quincyscott - February 21, 2012 via mobile
yep, Tim played 37 mins. and LA put a 37-7 lead on Portland to start. They are a better team at home. The question is: which game is Pop willing to hold up on Tim, tonight or Denver.
indiancharlie - February 21, 2012
Could someone with insider post the trade rumor about &erson.
NotDeadYet - February 21, 2012
I know it’s not the BSPN insider piece, but here’s some background info.
Tim C. - February 21, 2012
Interesting.
Big50 - February 21, 2012
There’s not any additional info on ESPN. It basically says that he’s a free agent in July and would probably leave anyway.
DrumsInTheDeep - February 21, 2012
Good work Q. Let’s hope our boys have something left in the tank for tonight.
Big50 - February 21, 2012
From BalzersEdge:
Ahhh yes i love what they wrote here! Should be a damn good game tonite
Cello the great - February 21, 2012
Nice!
NotDeadYet - February 21, 2012
Pop will probably rest Tim tonight and start Eric Dawson or something.
doggydogworld - February 21, 2012
Or very short leash on the game, and if Portland gets up in the 1st half and Spurs don’t make a quick 3rd quarter run, it’s over for Duncan and Parker.
grego21 - February 21, 2012
Good preview, q.
Damn, why are all the games so late?
LatinD - February 21, 2012
cause this game is on the West Coast
Cello the great - February 21, 2012
Because the West Coast is awesome.
Tim C. - February 21, 2012
I just want to post this for no reason.
?Is Tiago a fan of Adele? Because he’s rolling in the deep".lol
Confidant - February 21, 2012
“Is Tiago…
Confidant - February 21, 2012
I can see Dawson getting some minutes tonight for the purpose of fouling Camby and sending him to the free throw line. Camby is shooting only .515 from the free throw line, makes a good defense for slowing down Aldridge.
Alamo - February 21, 2012
All things considered, this is the thoughest game of the road trip. I’d be very surprized if we won
Chilai - February 21, 2012
I wouldn’t mind a split between tonight and Denver…question is do we rest tonight or Thursday? I think I would rather go after Denver. Portland is very physical and injuries are a little more likely than the run n gun denver suns. Go Dawson Go! Rest Timmy Rest
icewater - February 21, 2012
Here’s the preview that Dave over at BlazersEdge did for tonight’s game. It’s a great read.
J.R. Wilco - February 21, 2012
If there’s one game that the Spurs are likely going to drop, I feel like it’s this one. It’s on a back-to-back and LA is back. Also, Portland just got crushed by the Lakers.
I don’t think Bonner and Blair both have good games. Also, Portland has super athletic size compared to Utah. Portland, like Minny is not a good matchup, especially without Splitter.
I’m penciling this in as a 8 point win for the Blazers.
grego21 - February 21, 2012
Aren’t they alternating minutes at center between 37 year old Camby and 39 year old Kurt Thomas? Neither is much a threat on offense, nor very good at the FT line. The last time the two teams played those two scored zero points. Aldridge is the main problem, though last game despite scoring 29 points (over 1/3 of Portland’s total) the Spurs won handily. If he causes too much of a problem, he can always be slowed down by fouling the centers. He might score close to 40 while the team is held to around 80 again, meaning another Spurs’ victory.
Alamo - February 21, 2012
Yes, but they are tough to deal with. They might not score a lot, but the matchup problems still exist. And they are at home. Batum is also playing really well in his last 5-10 games.
They lost Camby last game due to injury, if you recall. Once they lost him, Splitter abused the young guys in the second half.
grego21 - February 21, 2012
Of course, the one Spurs game I get to see this season comes right after Tiago and Manu go down…. But I’ll be in the Rose Garden cheering whoever’s on the floor in silver and black. Go Spurs go!
jonasfunk - February 21, 2012
Now that it is unpredictable, you might get to see some interesting things! So yeah, have fun. It should be good.
grego21 - February 21, 2012
Silver and black. Or White and Red. Or Turquoise and Mauve, or whatever other colors the Sternites have selected for our heroes tonight.
doggydogworld - February 21, 2012
Oh right! Hopefully it’s silver and black so it’s a little easier to recognize them from the nosebleeds.
jonasfunk - February 21, 2012
I sense a rest night for Timmy, and probably Tony.
Tim C. - February 21, 2012
I can see a starting lineup of
Dawson
Blair
Anderson
Green
Joseph
spursfan87 - February 21, 2012
UH-OH
icewater - February 21, 2012
This is good. Dawson is guaranteed time!
grego21 - February 21, 2012
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