GT: Spurs vs. Lakers

Post #1 » by **Nolan** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:21 am

When: 10:30 PM ET, April 17, 2012
Where: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA

VS

Starting Lineups:

Spurs:
PG - Tony Parker
SG - Daniel Green
SF - Kawhi Leonard
PF - Tim Duncan
C - DeJuan Blair

Lakers:
PG - Ramon Sessions
SG - Devin Ebanks
SF - Metta World Peace
PF - Paul Gasol
C - Andrew Bynum

This is going to be a huge game for us for so many different reasons. Last time we faced the Lakers Bynum killed us and he`s been on tear ever since. If we want to win this one we`re going to have to at least limit him.

Go Spurs!!

co_laper · Post #2 » by **co_laper** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:00 am

We're now the number one seed, and houston just fall out of the playoffs. If we start today, we'll meet Phoenix.

Anyways, big three should play tonight after a blow out win againts GS. If they do, I really doubt big three play againts the Kings. I just hope we don't lose againts LA with the big 3, and then lose to Sacramento because we don't have the big three.

In some ways, because OKC lost today againts the Clips, we still have a cushion and better if we rest againts the Lakers, and guarantee a win againts the Kings.

SinJackal · Post #3 » by **SinJackal** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:20 am

I'd rather them not rest tomorrow, and play @ SAC anyway.

Big three each played less than 15 mins today. Every time the big 3 play against sub .500 teams, we CURB STOMP them in the first half and they barely have to play in the 2nd half anyway. . .just like today against the Warriors.

So the big 3 can just play the first half and maybe 5 mins in the 2nd half at most against the Kings and still get rest.

Since Pop stupidly tanked to the Jazz instead of resting vs the Lakers for that last game like I was saying he should have done instead, we now don't actually have a cushion in the standings at all. We would have if he didn't tank to the Jazz.

Instead, we have 2 more games vs LA. . .we will probably go 1-1 to be realistic. The rest of our games are against beatable teams, but I expect Pop will rest guys during at least one of the last 4 games. . .becausse it's 4 games in 5 nights. So unless OKC loses 1-2 more times, we have no shot at the top seed I see at least 2 more Spurs losses. 1 legit (vs Lakers), 1-2 more due to rest.

co_laper · Post #4 » by **co_laper** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:32 am

I think the only way the big three plays in the LA and SAC games is if we also blow the Lakers out and the big three gets another rest. Otherwise, I truly doubt Pop plays them at all three. It sure looks like they'll play againts LA though and I honestly expect another loss here. It's at LA, and we're on a b2b.

I see us going 5-2 to end the season, which means OKC has to lose another game in order for us to finish with the top seed.

co_laper · Post #5 » by **co_laper** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:08 pm

Most betting sites have us being the favorite to win this game. Odds -4. I've placed 10 bucks on the Lakers. Hope we win by less than 4.

co_laper · Post #6 » by **co_laper** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:39 am

Everyone in for the Spurs tonight. Let's go Spurs!!!

Things to watch again has to be two things:

Can we control Gasol/Bynum?

Will Parker/Manu be able to get to the rim? We got annihilated last time. Their penetration is the biggest key to our offense.

They exposed our lack of size, and shut down our offense. If this happens again, we're screwed if we meet LA in the playoffs. Of those two things, I expect one to happen if we're gonna have a competitive game. If we can do both, I'm pretty sure we'll blow out LA. And if we can't do both, we're probably blown out.

co_laper · Post #7 » by **co_laper** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:43 am

I think we're starting Splitter-Duncan today. That's what the starting lineup is saying. Gonna be interesting to see how that plays out. We haven't been playing Splitter-Duncan together much this season.

SinJackal · Post #8 » by **SinJackal** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:07 am

co_laper wrote:I think the only way the big three plays in the LA and SAC games is if we also blow the Lakers out and the big three gets another rest. Otherwise, I truly doubt Pop plays them at all three. It sure looks like they'll play againts LA though and I honestly expect another loss here. It's at LA, and we're on a b2b.

I see us going 5-2 to end the season, which means OKC has to lose another game in order for us to finish with the top seed.

lol

That may end up coming true. . .up huge right now. I don't want to jinx the game by posting this, but. . .

aal04 · Post #9 » by **aal04** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:30 am

Its so lobsided id hesitate to say that LA arent trying.

Give the big 3 a break. Let them play for 15 minutes vs sacr imo.

Ballings7 · Post #10 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:56 am

Give Jax credit, he's been key against Peace in this game, and has done enough offensively... helps that he knows him pretty well too

co_laper · Post #11 » by **co_laper** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:03 am

SinJackal wrote:
co_laper wrote:I think the only way the big three plays in the LA and SAC games is if we also blow the Lakers out and the big three gets another rest. Otherwise, I truly doubt Pop plays them at all three. It sure looks like they'll play againts LA though and I honestly expect another loss here. It's at LA, and we're on a b2b.

I see us going 5-2 to end the season, which means OKC has to lose another game in order for us to finish with the top seed.

lol That may end up coming true. . .up huge right now. I don't want to jinx the game by posting this, but. . .

And we win by 21...

Genocide3883 · Post #12 » by **Genocide3883** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:05 am

http://twitpic.com/9b4sz4

co_laper · Post #13 » by **co_laper** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:12 am

Well, suddenly I'm all confident againts LA again.

Blowout, and the two things that needs to happen happened. Bynum and Gasol are contained. 37 points, 14 rebounds, 5 turnovers combined for both of them. That's below average production for them.

And then our offense was good. We got to the rim, were able to penetrate for most of the game. And it helps that Parker is knocking down his jumpers because that suddenly open up the paint because they have to get out on him.

2 things:
1. I feel bad for Dejuan Blair. He didn't even play in garbage time. The only guy who didn't enter the game. This can't be a rest situation for Blair. He got taken out of the starting lineup and end up didn't play a single minute in what looks like a statement game from our guys. Almost as if he's getting blamed for the previous loss.

2. Duncan-Splitter lineup doesn't work. It doesn't produce bad results, but it certainly isn't a better one than our other lineups. This game thou, the Duncan-Diaw lineup produces the best result. And then Duncan-Bonner produces the second best result. Even a Splitter-Diaw/Bonner lineup looks better than a Duncan-Splitter lineup.

Splitter with Duncan gives us better size, but Splitter isn't exactly Tyson Chandler out there. He just gives us better size, but our offense is much better when Diaw/Bonner is out there. It's not an even trade off. Better size don't mean better defense. In fact, I'd say Diaw played the best individual defense out there, and Bonner did a decent job boxing out and playing defense. He was certainly not a liability out there.

franktony · Post #14 » by **franktony** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:50 am

I don't feel bad for DB. It just think the Lakers is a terrible match-up for him because of Gasol and bynum's size. DB can't guard them, DB can't score on them and DB can't grab rebounds against them . He is pretty much useless against the Lakers. I do think he will be back against SAC tomorrow.

I don't think Splitter and Duncan's experiment was so bad. Splitter missed some crucial FTs that could have changed that perception a bit. He is pretty good drawing fouls and that's important against a great front-court like the Lakers

Still, i think our best lineups against the Lakers are with a with a stretch 4 + BIG with size. Diaw/Duncan and Bonner/Splitter.

The Lakers perimeter defense was exposed once again. That's why they struggle so much against OKC. Sessions and Blake can't guard anyone and their p&r defense is also bad.

I simply loved S-Jax against Artest. S-Jax gives us some toughness that we simply did not have with Jefferson.

Honestly, i feel that our starting lineup in the playoffs will be Parker/Green/S-Jax/Diaw/Duncan and that's the lineup i like the most by far. The bench with Neal/Manu/Leonard/Bonner/Splitter would be awesome as well.

co_laper · Post #15 » by **co_laper** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:49 am

I truly doubt we do that much tinkering to start the playoff. Looks to me like the lineup is currently set. Parker/Green/Kawhi/Blair/Duncan will likely start. The one thing that might change IMO is Bonner or Diaw getting a starting nod. Most likely Bonner. Kawhi has done nothing to deserve a benching and Sjax hasn't exactly outplayed him either. Same can't be said about Blair I guess. He's inconsistent because he can't get every offensive board. When he gets offensive boards and get layups, he looks real good. When he doesn't, he's just nonexistent.

franktony · Post #16 » by **franktony** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:13 am

What's funny about DB is that he always plays great against OKC and Clippers. In the end, i think it will depend on our opponent. If it's Memphis or the Lakers, i don't think he starts. Against other teams it would be a possibility for sure.

About Leonard, i agree with you that he has done nothing to deserve a benching, but i think he struggles a lot against veteran players, like today against Metta or a few days ago against Pierce.

Even though i love him as a prospect, i don't think he is ready to start for a contending team in the playoffs. I prefer S-Jax to start , even though his shot has been off lately.

One Love · Post #17 » by **One Love** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:09 pm

Solid game but we are missing a decent player that will be there for the playoffs...

SinJackal · Post #18 » by **SinJackal** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:41 pm

I'd still rather play Leonard over Jackson tbh. Despite him not being a big offensive force, for whatever reason our offense NEVER struggles with Leonard out there unless he's out there with Corey "What am I supposed to go now?" Joseph. As stupid as this even sounds, Leonard's offensive rating is only lower than Bonner and Ginobili's. It's consistently stayed around where it is for weeks too. It hasn't fluctuated at all which is good news (consistency).

His defensive rating is also almost the exact same as Jackson's. Jackson's improved slightly over the last 2 games, to overtake Leonard by one point (might be less than one and being rounded). . .meanwhile Leonard's offensive rating is almost 30 points higher. . .27 points higher to be exact). Who's to say how he'll do in the playoffs though. Could be another Bonner situation for all we know.