Pregaming: Spurs vs. Hornets

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AT&T CENTER — This must be what it feels like to cover a team in a big market. We’ve got news galore for you ahead of the Spurs’ game against the New Orleans Hornets.

  • Gregg Popovich will not coach tonight against New Orleans. Pop is under the weather according to the Spurs PR staff and Mike Budenholzer will coach in his place.
  • As you already know, Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard will miss tonight’s game against the Hornets. Coach Bud said the team is viewing it as a day-to-day injury and doesn’t think that it’s anything serious.
  • Manu Ginobili will be in action tonight and play limited minutes. According to Bud, expect something like 12-15 minutes for Manu against the Hornets.
  • The Aron Baynes signing is official and the big man was available before the game for a press conference. There are still some visa issues to work out before he can begin practicing with the Spurs, however. A couple interesting notes regarding Baynes: he mentioned Reggie Evans as a player he is similar to in style and Coach Bud mentioned before the game that Baynes may give the Spurs the ability to hedge and switch on pick-and-rolls defensively. Bud emphasized how athletic and how well Baynes moves on the floor. Baynes talked about the energy he’ll bring in what he expects to be limited minutes. I’ll try and get more from the Baynes presser tomorrow.
  • Bry

    Without Leonard and Duncan (two key defensive cogs and rebounders) the Spurs are getting destroyed right now on the boards and letting the Hornets shoot the lights out through three quarters. When you add to that the Spurs missing wide open 3s consistently and untimely turnovers, this could be a home game they give away that they should have easily pocketed. Ginobili has to be the steady vet in the 4th tonight.

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