Pre-Game Thoughts: Thunder-Spurs, 3/31/09

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The Spurs have struggled this season against the lowly Thunder. No, I am not just referring to the abject failure that was our March 16th loss in Oklahoma City. Way back on December 14th, the Spurs held just a two point lead over the Thunder with 29 seconds left in the fourth. We would end up winning, 109-104 (One could argue the loss was a better performance. We should not be giving up triple digits to OKC).

The Spurs have several tough games left. 4 are against playoff opponents. 4 of the other 5 are away. Over the remaining 9 games pitfalls abound. In a game like this evening’s, in which we are playing a lottery team at home, we need to take care of business from the opening tip. The responsible management of minutes is only slightly less important than the W.

The game starts at 8:30 Eastern/7:30 Central.

  • Tom

    Well, it looks like we gave another one away.

  • GMT

    Five minutes of Bowen on Durant would have won the game. Instead, he gets a DNP-CD.

    =(

  • Nico

    I really don’t think Bowen is that effective against Durant. Bowen guarded him last time in the final minutes and Durant still found ways to score. I think this game is a pure coincidence of match-up trouble for the Spurs. Two of their best players are 6’9 forwards. Keep in mind TD can only guard one, Bonner / Thomas are ineffective against Krstic, and of course we haven’t had consistent play at SF all year. KD can wear Finley’s old bones out quickly. Not to mention Westbrook gives Parker a run for his money about as well as anyone not named Devin Harris.

    A big difference between this season and the years of past is that we have trouble shutting down teams. Even teams with poor records. Usually, we’d always give away games to the big boys but rarely would we lose to a little guy.

    Anyway, the tables might have been reversed had we found a way to get Krstic before the Thunder did…

    I understand the integrity that Pop has for our system, it makes us who we are, but still… If Gooden doesn’t get significant minutes how will he learn the system??? It’s not like we’re winning games anyway…