Spurs Forecast: February 1
The Spurs ended up splitting their four games with a 2-2 record last week. Losing Tony Parker was difficult but give credit to the Spurs for finishing of a tough Hawks team as well as beating an underrated Grizzlies bunch despite being without their floor general. The Spurs had no answer for Kenyon Martin and JR Smith was knocking down his shots. When you are missing Tony Parker and those guys are playing well, the Nuggets are tough to beat. This week looks to be a bit easier so hopefully the Spurs can kick-start this roadtrip and get off on the right foot.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 9:00 PM @ Sacramento Kings (16-30) FSSW
The Spurs kick off their annual Rodeo Roadtrip on Wednesday as they head West to take on the Sacramento Kings. The Kings have dropped sixteen of their last nineteen games heading into the week and this opponent could be just what the doctor ordered for this Spurs team to get off to a good start in their extended roadtrip. While this will unquestionable be an easier game, it will certainly not be a cakewalk as the Kings are 13-9 at home this season. The last time these two teams played the Spurs allowed Sacramento to shoot 52.3% from the field and 46.2% from distance. These numbers will need to be decreased, with Parker missing another game due to injury.
Thursday, February 4, 2010, 9:30 PM @ Portland Trail Blazers (28-21) TNT
The Portland Trail Blazers limped into the week dropping five of their last eight games. As far as I’m concerned no one has the right to whine about injuries except the Blazers. You can go right on down the roster and just about every rotation player has missed time due to sickness or injury this season. Even head coach Nate McMillan missed time when he had surgery done to his ruptured Achilles tendon. The Blazers’ young stud and leader Brandon Roy has now missed seven of the last eight contests and in that time the Blazers have struggled mightily. Furthermore, the Blazers will also be on the back-end of a back-to-back so hopefully that will neutralize some of the home-court advantage and equal the playing field a bit more. If Roy doesn’t suit up come Thursday all eyes need to be on shutting down (or rather, limiting) both Andre Miller and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Saturday, February 6, 2010, 9:30 PM @ Los Angeles Clippers (20-27) KENS
Finally, to cap off the first week of the roadtrip, the Spurs take on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers have struggled as of late as they have dropped nine of their last twelve and one of those victories came against the Nets and frankly that’s pretty much a loss or less of a win anyway. The Clippers have a talented frontline in Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman but Kaman has missed time as of late with a sprained left ankle. Post play has been the only thing going for the Clippers consistently this season. Eric Gordon has been brilliant at times and sub-par at others, and then there’s always Baron Davis and his inconsistencies shooting the ball. One night the guy will be 6-21 from the field and the next night he’ll go 9-13. If the Spurs can win the battle in the paint, they’ll put themselves in a good position to escape with the Staples Center with a victory.
Prediction: 2-1
I believe that the Spurs will have one slip-up this week. Their schedule is fairly tolerable but between that back-to-back and Tony Parker being questionable, I think only dropping one game would be a success. That being said, there is a distinct possibility that the Spurs could run the table for the week. The Clippers and Kings are both very beatable teams and the Blazers have been hit hard by the injury bug. Regardless of the Spurs getting two or three wins this week, it will be vital that they walk away with a winning record after the first three games of this roadtrip. This is going to be a grind, and just like a playoff game, the Spurs need to set the tone early.
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