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Posted: **Tue Feb 5, 2008 11:33 pm**

San Antonio (29-16) at Indiana (19-29)

Game Info: 7:00 pm EST Tue Feb 5, 2008
TV: FSSW, FSIN

By DAN PIERINGER, STATS Writer

Last season, the San Antonio Spurs struggled at the beginning of their annual rodeo road trip before finishing strong to launch an extended playoff push.

They hope a win over one of their top Western Conference rivals can turn this trip around and propel them to a similar run.

After snapping a season-high three-game losing streak with a win over a potential title contender, the Spurs look to build on that victory as they visit the struggling Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

San Antonio (29-16) has been mediocre over the last eight weeks, going just 12-13 since its 17-3 start, including their first 0-3 stretch of the season from Jan. 26-29. They were blown out by New Orleans at home, then lost to Utah and Seattle in the first two games of the road trip they take every season when the rodeo takes over AT&T Center.

However, San Antonio might get a boost of momentum from its 84-81 victory at Phoenix on Thursday. The Suns entered that game with the best record in the West and the highest-scoring offense in the league, but the Spurs held them to a season-low point total while limiting them to 38.0 percent shooting -- their second-worst performance of the season.

That defensive effort made up for San Antonio's own offensive struggles in the first half. Manu Ginobili was held scoreless in the opening two quarters, while Tim Duncan had just six of his 16 points before intermission.

"We should have been behind by a lot more at the half," said Duncan, who also finished with 17 rebounds and a season high-tying seven assists. "But we gave ourselves a chance with our defense."

The Spurs hope that victory is the beginning of an extended surge like the one they put together last season. After losing four of the first six games of their rodeo trip, they won the last two to begin a 13-game win streak and a 25-6 finish to the regular season en route to their fourth NBA title in nine years.

San Antonio hopes to take advantage of Indiana (19-29), which has tied a season high with six straight losses. The Pacers haven't lost seven in a row since their 11-game skid from Feb. 23-March 14 last season.

Link- http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2008020511

Not a good game day thread, but it wasn't my turn i was just online for a few minutes seeing whats up and im headed out. I figured i'd make a thread for people who visit to talk about the game.

Posted: **Tue Feb 5, 2008 11:41 pm**

You know your team sucks when all 9 paragraphs of a reporters game preview is about the other team.

Posted: **Tue Feb 5, 2008 11:46 pm**

The game threads are so quiet these days. It seems most of us lost interest/faith in this team.

I will never give up on them, but to be honest with you guys I turn to the NBA news everyday and hope we have made some deal (which does not include Granger, Quisy or Williams) to bring in life and energy into this team.

Anyway enough of my rant and lets go Pacers.

Posted: **Tue Feb 5, 2008 11:51 pm**

I haven't given up on the Pacers. I have given up on Obie though.

Honestly, the only reason I watch the games anymore is because its really fun watching Granger emerge into a star. I probably wouldn't watch if it wasn't for that.

Besides, every game we lose is another step closer to a great draft pick, so it doesn't extremely piss me off during losses anymore. Don't get me wrong, I'm sill rooting for us, and I was very pissed last game at Obie. But I don't care as much about a loss as I would if I thought we could make the playoffs.

Posted: **Tue Feb 5, 2008 11:58 pm**

Thats the thing as horrible as it is for a fan to say, but now I almost want the Pacers to lose most games and get a high pick and rebuild. I want to see some players traded nd bring in new hope and excitement to the franchise.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:02 am**

glasket wrote:Thats the thing as horrible as it is for a fan to say, but now I almost want the Pacers to lose most games and get a high pick and rebuild. I want to see some players traded nd bring in new hope and excitement to the franchise.

I'm with ya, I just didn't want to be the first to say it. :-)

Mainly though, I want to see Granger play well every game. He is becoming the face of the franchise and I want to see him continue to improve. Thats mainly what I'm rooting for.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:09 am**

DGrangeRx33 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I'm with ya, I just didn't want to be the first to say it.

Mainly though, I want to see Granger play well every game. He is becoming the face of the franchise and I want to see him continue to improve. Thats mainly what I'm rooting for.

I do agree with you. I also want to see Granger develop into the franchise player and an NBA star.
I hope to see Granger and Williams as part of the Pacers for a long time to come.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:16 am**

Granger just blocked Duncan. He is seriously becoming a force on defense.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:18 am**

A strong first 6 minutes, but no telling if it'll last.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:22 am**

Over the last few games the refs have eased back into screwing us over.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:25 am**

Lets hope we can put up 8 more 6 minute periods like this.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:29 am**

Why is Granger not in the All-Star game? Anyone want to explain this to me?

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:29 am**

An extrmely high scoring 1st qtr. We are currently shooting at 86%FG.
The Spurs are at 50%.

How long can we maintain this?

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:33 am**

Is that two blocks for Danny?

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:37 am**

PacerPerspective wrote:Is that two blocks for Danny?

Three.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 12:39 am**

I'm starting to really like Troy Murphy. He has played great the last few games.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 1:21 am**

we are getting outrebounded 17 to 10 at the half. The shooting % is astronomical and that is what is keeping us in it.

Come on Foster, and Troy, pick up the rebounding.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 1:22 am**

Oh and I have to add that Deiner is playing fairly well this game.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 1:24 am**

Granger hasn't had a great rebounding game in a while. I think its because he is always guarding the other teams best perimeter player so he is usually on the guy taking the shot.

Posted: **Wed Feb 6, 2008 1:29 am**

Spurs have 6 or 7 offensive board and we have 0.

I am not watching the game but those offensive boards probably resulted in around 10 2nd chance points.
Thats 10 points we could have been in front by,

Oh well, I think all the PAcers played well in the 1st half. Lets keep this effort up for the 2nd

RealGM

GDT: Spurs @ Pacers

GDT: Spurs @ Pacers