Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs | Another Tough Game
February 1, 2011 — PDXPIPELINEBy Andy Popp
Portland Trail Blazers (25-22) vs San Antonio Spurs (40-7)
February 1, 7:00, Comcast Sports
Previous match-up(s): Sunday, December 12th Blazers 78 Spurs 95
Related: Blazers Games, Schedule,WIN Tickets
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The Blazers have had 4 days off since their Thursday night game against the Boston Celtics. In a game that they were outgunned/out manned/out-hustled (take your pick). The team had 4 days to rest up and prepare for another tough game against the white-hot San Antonio Spurs.
With Tim Duncan winding down his career, and no longer being able to put the Spurs on his back, Gregg Popovich switch things up this year. He moved away from the methodical, machine like offense that featured Tim Duncan as the focal point in favor of a fast-paced, run-and-gun style offense that showcases Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. It's worth noting that even though Duncan isn't scoring like he used to (career average 20.8, down to 13 ppg this year), he is still rebounding (10 rpg) and blocking shots (2 bpg) at a very high level.
The Spurs on paper.
Starting five: Tim Duncan, Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
Off the Bench: Antonio McDyess, Chris Quinn, George Hill, Larry Owens, Gary Neal, Tiago Splitter, James Anderson
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Lots of chatter about LaMarcus Aldridge being an all star this year.
There are still lots of trade rumors floating around.
STRATEGY
The Blazers success in tonight's game will hinge on the back court's ability to slow down Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Luckily the Blazers have had 4 days off for Nicolas Batum to recover after knocking knees with Boston's Rajon Rondo. His MRI was negative, but he still needed crutches to get around after the game.
LET'S GET RICH
To date: 21-16-2.
Blazers +4.5 tonight. I'll take 'em.
TRADE ME
Rudy Fernandez
NUMBER OF BACK TO BACKS THIS SEASON (IN SETS)
11
NEXT 5
@ Denver
@ Indiana
@ Cleveland
vs Chicago
@ Toronto
BOTTOM LINE
After having the luxury of spending the last 2 weeks in their own beds at home, the Blazers will head to Denver after the Spurs game to play their second game in as many days the next night against the Nuggets. Win or lose tonight, the Blazers have 2 extremely tough games.
