RealGM

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 - 8:30 PM MST - ALTITUDE/ESPN

BENCH:RAY - MR SWISH - BIRDMAN - FORBES - BIG AL - TIMO - KOUFUS
INJURIES:AFFLALO (doubtful - hamstring) - RAYMOND (probable - ankle)


SAN ANTONIO SPURS STARTING FIVE:
TONY PARKER - MANU GINOBILI - RICHARD JEFFERSON - ANTONIO McDYESS - DEJUAN BLAIR
BENCH: TIAGO SPLITTER - GEORGE HILL - GARY NEAL - MATT BONNER - STEVE NOVAK
INJURIES: TIM DUNCAN (out - scared) - DEJUAN BLAIR (probable - wrist)


KEY MATCHUP:
VS.
These two fairly comparable point guards lead their teams into a tough Western Conference battle. The Spurs are on a 5 game win streak while the Nuggets have beaten their last 3 home opponents by an average of 34.4 points. This game promises to be closer although the Spurs might struggle in their first game since losing Tim Duncan for the next couple weeks to a badly sprained ankle. Nene should look to post up with the lack of Duncans defensive presence. Neither teams has an ideal defender to take on the other teams "foreign flopper". Wilson Chandler should make it tough on him, but Afflalo would clearly be preferred. I have a slight feeling that Richard Jefferson and Matt Bonner will be overwhelmed a bit by Gallo's ability to get to the hole and create contact. In general should be a good match up to see where the new look Nuggets fall in the west. Even without Tim Duncan who's offensive role has become smaller this season, the Spurs are still very good and a tough team to beat.

George Karl talking about catching the Thunder via ESPN wrote:They probably have too much of a gap on us, but let's try to scare them. You never know in basketball.

Danilo Gallinari via Nuggets' official website wrote:We're definitely playing great at home. I remember when I was in New York, it was tough to come into Denver and play the Nuggets because of the altitude and many reasons.

Nene via Denver Post wrote:We're enjoying it right now because everybody feels important. We've been doing very well, been playing very well, and I hope we continue that.

Will be not underestimate SA just because there is no Duncan ... Splitter in the last two games in 25 minutes averaged 9 point, 10 rebound and 2 steals.

I see a very tough game.

Very nicely tuned SA team is rolling in. Got to minimize our mistakes.

I like this lengthy starting line up. Nene should take advantage of their interior D with Timmy out.

Should be very interesting game. Good luck.

It's almost that time

Good news.

I hope they don't rush him this time. No more chance to heal it before playoffs if he gets it hurt again.

No Duncan, new Nuggets...lets not make it 6 straight losses to these fools

Kinda feel bad for Melo.....kinda

Powder Blue wrote:Kinda feel bad for Melo.....kinda

Same here...... Don't wish him bad thou.

martin is ruining nuggets on both ends of the floor. not guarding antonio, letting manu score on switches, putting him on the line and missing easy lay ups in the other end.

terrible player.

now even bonnar is getting free underneath the basket...

I really hate those players with lots of tattoos that gamble on blocks 500 times per game and then people say they are great defenders when they get a block.

DrewBynum77 wrote:martin is ruining nuggets on both ends of the floor. not guarding antonio, letting manu score on switches, putting him on the line and missing easy lay ups in the other end.

terrible player.

He will get it going before the game is over.

Powder Blue wrote:Kinda feel bad for Melo.....kinda

He played a good all around game for the Knicks tonight

If this keeps up, this is going to be a long night

As bad as K-Mart was at least he was noticeable...where was Nene in the first?

damn, this team needs rebounds. really, use your depth karl. put the russian there for a couple of minutes and see what you get from him.

K Mart is trying bit too much in games lately.

Nene needs to man up!

Are you **** me?

Switching isn't working GK

switching, helping and doubling too much against a team with so many outside threats... but karl is too dumb to adapt.

play them straight up. they have no inside game without duncan, put a big that can really block shots without gambling (the shots that are there to be blocked AKA the ones by pgs floating in the paint).