Official Game Thread: Spurs (27-8) vs. Pistons (27-5)

[spurscrazed]

San Antonio Express-News

Spurs scouting report: Tony Parker scored all eight of the Spurs' franchise-record low eight first-quarter points when the Spurs lost in Detroit on Christmas. He finished with 19 points. ... In an effort to match the Pistons' physicality, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich started the second half with Nazr Mohammed in place of Rasho Nesterovic. ... Beno Udrih, who has missed the past three games with the flu, worked out Wednesday with the team.

Spurs injuries: Udrih (flu) is questionable. Sean Marks (sprained left ankle) is out.


Spurs projected inactive list: Marks.


Pistons scouting report: Detroit's starting five has a .774 winning percentage in the past 21/2 seasons. ... Pistons are 13-3 on the road, including 8-2 against Western Conference teams. ... Backup point guard Carlos Arroyo is suspended after bumping an official during Tuesday's victory in Oklahoma City. ... Ben Wallace and Antonio McDyess combined for 34 rebounds in the teams' Dec.25 game, four more than the Spurs totaled.


Pistons injuries: Lindsey Hunter (left ankle surgery) is out.


Pistons projected inactive list: Hunter, Arroyo and Amir Johnson or Alex Acker.


Last meeting: Detroit beat the Spurs 85-70 on Dec. 25 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.


Key matchup: Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess vs. Tim Duncan. Duncan said no team has defended him better than the Pistons. The length and athleticism of Detroit's trio of big men — and that doesn't include Dale Davis. who also is available — rarely affords Duncan a clean look after he posts up. He scored 18 points in the teams' last meeting, but had to work for them. Duncan will need help keeping the Pistons' big men off the boards. Eleven of the 28 fourth-quarter points Detroit scored against the Spurs last month came on second-chance opportunities.

- Johnny Ludden

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....17bc019f.html

__________________________________________________ _________
Spurs 78
Det 72

Tim Duncan's team shall not be defeated esp at home...
Manu and Tony will both play better at home................

Pay back time..time for Spurs get even...
Spurs will KILL Det...

Pistons Spurs

Spurs will win at their home, Det will give it a great fight..but Spurs will find a way to win baby!!

Defensive battle Nail biter thriller... Till the last drop of blood....

Bruce SHALL lead the Spurs Super Great DEFENSE...

DEFENSE...DEFENSE...DEFENSE...DEFENSE...DEFENSE... DEFENSE...DEFENSE...
REBOUND....REBOUND....REBOUND....REBOUND....REBOUN D....REBOUND....



Go Super Defensive Spurs Go

[kmgospurs]

Spurs-85
Pistons-80

I think this is going to be a very close game but after the tongue lashing Pop gave them they'll be fired up and they'll win . I think we should start Manu during this game because I think we're going to need his energy right away but whatever I'm just glad he's back for this game.

[spurscrazed]

TD will be all fired up we all know Dat...
And the rest of his team shall follow..


BTW on the Pistons nba team website there is a poll that says this

Who do the Pistons need to stop to ensure a win vs. the Spurs?
Manu Ginobili 43%

Tim Duncan 32%

Tony Parker 24%

Michael Finley 1%


Total Responses: 4130

http://www.nba.com/pistons/ On the left side bar towards the middle of the page...

[miguelito]

Spurs will win this one, 86-81. There's a chance we might win bigger than that, but I don't want to get carried away with the prediction.

But we play well at home, and I think we're sick of all the talk about Detroit anyway. If we win this game, we're only two behind them in the loss column, and that's after Manu missed a bunch of games. We all know the Christmas game was an aberration - and we didn't have Manu. Thursday's game will be the real deal, and I think we'll come to play.

In my opinion, Finley will be a key. If we get 12-14 points from Finley on 5-9 shooting or so from the field, we'll win by at least ten points. Brent Barry needs to shoot the frigging ball as well.

No way does Detroit stay healthy all season. One of their starters will go down eventually, or McDyess wil come up lame at some point. They've been incredibly fortunate with him so far. They're missing Arroyo for this game, which is great because Billips will have to play more minutes, and maybe he won't hit threes in the 4th quarter. Parker needs to run him silly the whole night so he's got nothing left in the 4th.

[Spurs|ATX|]

Spurs 84
Detroit 79

I'm very excited about this game..

[spurscrazed]

Everyone on the Spurs team needs to play better... and they will after Pop's critical comments after last game agains the Nets...

When Spurs played and lost in their last meeting, Manu did not play so now that Manu is back Spurs will have greater chance of winning, and Det team HATES Manu....Seems like a typical Spurs opponents Manu Hate...

Spurs will play great at home. No doubt.
Det will not be able to stop this determined powerful Spurs team.

Pop will make sure spurs are on track and get the W.. Bank it.

[SpursErie]

The Spurs lost all three matchups in the last game- Tim and Rasho were outscored by Ben and Rashid by 5, the perimeter players fell short by 9, and the bench was down 1. The reason wasn't poor shooting (40.0% to 41.5%), it was because they had fewer scoring opportunities as the Spurs were crushed on the boards 57 to 30 (Even in the 31 point drubbing the Spurs took in Detroit in the Finals last year the rebounding including team rebounds was dead even). The Spurs only retrieved 24 or half of the Pistons' 48 misses, the Pistons recovered 39 of the Spurs' 45 clangers. This shortfall was primarily the result of their bigs dominated ours on the boards- in the same number of total minutes, Tim, Rasho, Robert and Mohammed came up with 19 rebounds to the 40 of Wallace, Wallace and McDyess. I cannot remember in the seven years I've been following the Spurs on League Pass any game where the Spurs were so badly outrebounded. So, if rebounding success is a measurement of effort, the Spurs have given themselves a lot of room for improvement tonight! And I agree with spurscrazed that Manu will play better this time since he sat out with injury on Christmas.

[Matias]

Spurs 85
Pistons 81
Hunter and Arrroyo are out. Who is their back up PG? Billups could be tired by the end if he defends Tony all night.

[Eddy from Austin]

SPURS WIN 86-78

[Spurs Crusader]

Spurs - 87
Pistons - 83

@ Eddy

Spurs 99
Pistons 97

[icewater21]

spurs 81
pistons 78

Bruce on Billups
Tony on Rip
Manu on Prince

[Uwe Blab]

Spurs 85
Pistons 78

Does everyone realize that if the Spurs win they are only 2 games back from Detroit in the loss column? Catching up was something most here thought was not possible less than a month ago. Detroit is looking mortal people.

[Malice]

This game is a measuring stick to where we are at as a team right now....and dont kid yourself, this is a HUGE game...and the Spurs know it. Much bigger game for us than the Pistons.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Originally Posted by MATIAS

Spurs 85
Pistons 81
Hunter and Arrroyo are out. Who is their back up PG? Billups could be tired by the end if he defends Tony all night.

The only other guards they have are Maurice Evans and Carlos Delfino, who are both really 2 guards I think. They also have some guy from Pepperdine named Acker who hasn't played a minute. I think they have a weak spot here. Billups is gonna have to play 45 minutes.

[RichB]

I got free tickets to the game tonight, so I'll be there tonight.

It should be a much better gauge than the Christmas game.

[BlitzKriegBop]

Spurs 101
Pistolas 89

[SpurInDallas]

Big one tonight!!!

Spurs 89

Pistons 79

[Eddy from Austin]

Spurs-Pistons fight to finish finds Round 2

Web Posted: 01/12/2006 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

The oversized championship belt Rasheed Wallace slung over his shoulder 6 1/2 months ago was missing, as was much of the nostalgia. Even the SBC logo on the court beneath the feet of the Detroit Pistons would be replaced by day's end.


Spurs in Finals rematches
In games against the teams they beat in the previous season's NBA Finals, the Spurs are 3-2:
1999-2000
- vs. New York: Won 96-83 on Jan. 23 (Tim Duncan: 33 points, 15 rebounds)
- @New York: Lost 93-80 on March 12 (Latrell Sprewell/Allan Houston: 44 total points)
2003-04
- @New Jersey: Won 85-71 on Nov. 12 (Duncan: 31 points, 12 rebounds)
- vs. New Jersey: Won 99-76 on Jan. 21 (Duncan: 21 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists)
2005-06
- @Detroit: Lost 85-70 on Dec. 25 (Ben Wallace: 10 points, 21 rebounds)



As Wallace and his teammates picked up their practice gear and walked off the floor at the newly christened AT&T Center on Wednesday afternoon, the only reminder of last season's NBA Finals was a banner commemorating the Spurs' title.

It hung in the arena's north rafters. Understandably, the Pistons declined to genuflect in its presence.

"That Game 7," Wallace said, "left us messed up."

The rest of the league since has felt Detroit's frustration.

Closing in on their second consecutive championship before the Spurs beat them in the Finals' decisive game, the Pistons have used the sting of that defeat to push themselves to the top of the standings. They return tonight to the site of where their reign ended with a league-best 27-5 record, having inspired comparisons to the 72-victory Chicago Bulls of 1995-96.

After "losing the last game of the season, the way we did, in the championship," Wallace said, "we definitely are trying to ... play with a vengeance this year."

The Spurs felt it on Christmas morning when the Pistons overwhelmed them in the final quarter of an 85-70 victory.

"They ended up beating us pretty soundly," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, "because they played more aggressively and more physically than we did."

The Spurs have lost only once since that visit to the Palace of Auburn Hills but lack the consistency needed to defend their title in the playoffs. Their play at the end of games has frustrated Popovich.

A couple of defensive breakdowns, along with a turnover by Tim Duncan, led to Saturday's loss in Phoenix. During Tuesday's victory over New Jersey, the Spurs allowed 14 points in the final 36.8 seconds. Afterward, Popovich called the performance "disgusting."

The team worked on its motion offense, which has grown stagnant at times, during Wednesday's brief practice.

"We concentrated on what we do because we're not doing what we do real well," Popovich said. "That comes first before you worry about other people."

After tonight, the Spurs won't have to focus on Detroit again until June, if then. And if they take anything from tonight besides a victory, it would be the comfort of knowing they've made some progress.

"It's a measuring stick because they are the best team in the NBA right now," said Manu Ginobili, who didn't play in the teams' previous meeting. "We want to see where we are now, but it doesn't mean anything for the future."

The Pistons agree.

"That's a strong ball club," Wallace said. "I don't think they are weak, mentally. If we do win, we won't be getting too much of a mental edge."


Another victory, however, would ensure Detroit of something more tangible if the Pistons end the season with a record identical to that of the Spurs: the right to play Game 7 at home should the teams meet in the Finals. The Pistons struggled early last season, losing eight of their first 15 games, before finishing with 54 victories, five fewer than the Spurs.
"They know they probably didn't win the championship because of home-court advantage and because they didn't have a good start last year," Ginobili said. "They look like they don't want to make the same mistake."

The Pistons also seem to have benefited from a change in coaches. Since replacing Larry Brown, Flip Saunders has loosened the team's offense.

The result: Detroit has averaged 99.2 points per game, almost six more than last season.

"Our offense had been very predictable, and that's hampered us a lot of times, especially against a team like San Antonio," point guard Chauncey Billups said. "Now, we're allowed to play in transition a little bit."

Last month's meeting, like last season's Finals, was won in the halfcourt. Both teams expect a grind-it-out game. Both have downplayed its meaning.

"Even if we do win," Wallace said, "it won't erase that taste."

[Spurs&Beer]

The Spurs will win tonight, but I think the most important thing is this.
Tim needs to work on Sheed get in his head and show him and everybody else that he can score on him.I hate when Tim is constantly fading away on his shots and not attacking the defender. Sheed gets aggresive with Tim and he backs down so he doesn't get the calls

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs 96
Pistons 88

[abmccray]

Pistons 143
Spurs 1 (a technical foul freethrow)



In all seriousness, I'm still trying to figure out who is going to back up PG. In the past, Prince would backup PG; as he's surprisingly good at bringing the ball down court. Delfino can kind of do it as well. But neither is anywhere close to a real point guard. Hamilton can't dribble, and Acker hasn't played a game.

[Eddy from Austin]

[mg06]

Originally Posted by abmccray

In all seriousness, I'm still trying to figure out who is going to back up PG.

Originally Posted by abmccray

Delfino can kind of do it as well.

Delfino has played the point before in the Argentine NT, with some success. He's a pretty good ball-handler and passer, but he's turnover prone and he'd have big time trouble guarding Tony Parker, as he can't keep up with his speed. But I guess that he could do it as long as Tony isn't on the floor at that particular time.

[Cruzzer]

Spurs better concentrate on 2 things: Rebounding and Turnovers. If they bode well in those 2 categories, then they will win.

Spurs 88
Pistons 83

[Malice]

Rebounding is going to make or break us tonight....gitter dun!

[ennui30]

Spurs 81
Pistons 77

[PhillyDoc]

I see a big Spurs win coming with surprising ease - 100 to 84 in payback time.

[chicken eye]

Originally Posted by Spurs&Beer

The Spurs will win tonight, but I think the most important thing is this.
Tim needs to work on Sheed get in his head and show him and everybody else that he can score on him.I hate when Tim is constantly fading away on his shots and not attacking the defender. Sheed gets aggresive with Tim and he backs down so he doesn't get the calls

Agreed. I want to see Tim have a monster game. Not necessarily points, but rebounds, blocks, etc. Basically, I don't want to see Tim being manhandled. You guys remember that sick dunk Tim had over Ben Wallace in one of the 2 regular season meetings last season? I believe it was a backing-down-your-man-quick-spin-try-to-block-me?-EAT-THIS-BBALL-sandwich dunk. it was beautiful......

[satexan77]

Spurs 91
Pistons 89

We will not get out rebounded 2-1 again. Gotta get Tim going early.

[jaespur21]

plus my brothers are on their way 2 the game so its in the bag.
Is it me but the spurs are playing really sloppy or something, that Net team or even the Suns; last year would never hang with us
Detroit 75-spurs 92

[curiousspirit]

Spurs 97
Pistons 93

[LauraBC]

LOL Charles referring to the Xmas day loss: "That wasn't fair though."

[Spurs991]

The Spurs will hold the Pissed-Ons to 6 first Quarter points... payback for Christmas

[POShit21]

gotta love charles, telling it like it is on TNT. Charles actually said, 'come on now, I love ESPN, but all they promoting all week long is Kobe vs James when the best two teams are playing each other this week.'.

Those who know basketball......know this is the game to watch.

Damn Manu's still not starting..

[DULESfreestyler]

Pop should put Manu back into the starting line-up... Spurs 89 Pistons 85

[Spurs991]

Is it me or does the AT&T Center logo just look strange?

[DULESfreestyler]

Originally Posted by MomBear

Damn Manu's still not starting..

still not happening .. there' goes my prediction.

[LauraBC]

Yeah, so far not starting out like we would like.

[Spurs991]

Originally Posted by Spurs991

The Spurs will hold the Pissed-Ons to 6 first Quarter points... payback for Christmas

There goes my prediction

[BackInTexas]

Ugly so far. Maybe it's a good sign that we are shooting negative 17% and only down by six I guess.

[Cruzzer]

Ugly Ugly Ugly

Looks like 'Sheed turned up for this game.

[LauraBC]

A stop would be nice.....................

[kevm2]

Spurs are getting flat out outplayed tonight. They aren't going to win the championship looking like this.

[LauraBC]

Tim

[MichaelWi101]

So far they're playing like they just don't give a damn....

[BackInTexas]

wow. Pistons have got our number right now. They are playing perfect offense and defense and we are looking kind of slow and tentative everywhere.

28-15. Yes, that's right, the Pistons scored 28 on us in the 1st.

What was our shooting percentage in the first?

[Spurs991]

Looks like to Christmas game all over again.. no D and even less O

[SCdac]

Spurs look way too timid, especially on defense. And the Pistons are much more efficient. They make scoring the ball look easy, Spurs make it look like a struggle each and every possesion.