Spurs Forecast: January 25
The Spurs sputtered to finish off last week and stumble into the week having lost four of their last five. Not quite the performance we had all hoped for heading into a rigorous roadtrip spanning the next ten games beyond the scope of this week. The Spurs will have plenty on their plate this week with a set of formidable opponents on the docket for the week ahead.
Monday, January 25, 2010, 7:30 PM vs. Chicago Bulls (20-22) FSSW
The Bulls are in the midst of their annual Circus Roadtrip and so far they are 2-2 having lost to two sub-par teams and having beaten two fine opponents. Needless to say, it’s been a weird roadtrip thus far. The Spurs will look to take vengeance on their loss earlier this season in Chicago. The Spurs, unfortunately drew the short straw and were the opening home game for the Bulls this season. The difference in the first match-up was second chance points and offensive rebounds. The short of it—the Spurs simply got outworked and out-hustled. Assuming the Spurs don’t come out totally flat as they did the last time these two met, this game should be a ‘W’.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 7:30 PM vs. Atlanta Hawks (28-14) FSSW
The Hawks make their second stop along the Texas two-step as they face the Spurs on Wednesday after a match-up against the Rockets on Monday. The Hawks have managed to win seven of their last ten games heading into the week but will be tested mightily this week as they play the Rockets, Spurs and Magic (on the back-end) on the road as well as showdown at home against the Celtics. How’s that for a week? This game could very well boil down to bench production. While the Spurs have one of the best in the league, the Hawks have arguably the Sixth Man of the Year in waiting in Jamal Crawford along with a nice complement of role players. If the Spurs can out-produce the bench of the Hawks, I like our chances.
Friday, January 29, 2010, 7:30 PM vs. Memphis Grizzlies (23-19) FSSW
The Grizzlies come into town on Friday and the Spurs can help but to have a bitter taste resonating among them after suffering 92-86 loss earlier in the month. In relation to the point I made in the match-up previous, the bench production was the difference in these two’s last contest. The Memphis bench scorched the Spurs for an cumulative +/- of +32 points. Meanwhile the only Spur with a positive +/- was Marcus Haislip at +4 in just over four minutes of play. In addition to neutralizing their bench, the offensive rebounds will need to be held to a minimal. The Grizzlies among the tops in the league at that and a couple of weeks ago stole seventeen offensive boards in route to their six-point victory.
Sunday, January 31, 2010, 12:00 PM vs. Denver Nuggets (29-14) ABC
With the NFL taking the week off before the Super Bowl, the NBA officially kicks off its NBA on ABC games for the Spring on Sunday. This will mark the last game for the Spurs before departing on their annual Rodeo Roadtrip. The Nuggets head into the week red hot with a six-game winning streak and having won eight of their last nine including face-offs against the Cavaliers, Magic, and Jazz. Carmelo is listed as day-to-day heading into the week, but barring any major setbacks, should unquestionable be ready to go come Sunday. That being said, in my humble opinion, Carmelo Anthony has been carrying this team all season and should be the mid-season favorite for MVP honors. With Melo being hampered with injuries and seeing limited time as of late, Chauncey Billups has been given the opportunity to rise to the occasion and sure hasn’t disappointed. The Spurs will have their hands full in this Sunday matinee and productivity from several players will be necessary to pull out the victory.
Prediction (3-1)
I anticipate the Spurs will respond positively after stumbling into the week with two straight losses. The Spurs are about to embark on a difficult road trip that will be characterized by nine out of ten away from the AT&T Center. This is truly ‘make it or break it’ time for the Spurs and I think they know this. With that understanding, I expect to see a renewed level of effort and determination to get escape the week with only one loss heading into the annual Rodeo Roadtrip.
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