Post by DiamondThief on Nov 9, 2015 21:21:39 GMT -8
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers
What: LaMarcus Aldridge returns to Portland as the Blazers host the Spurs.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. (PT).
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter; Portland, Oregon.
Spurs Media: TV - FSSW. Radio - WOAI 1200 AM.
Blazers Media: TV - KGW. Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
National Media: TV - ESPN.
Fact: LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills are the former Blazers on the Spurs' roster.
Forum: To comment, please login or register.
The Spurs continue to fight father time. They come in to the game at 5-2 after defeating the Sacramento Kings, 106-88, on Nov. 9. Most are projecting them to finish in the top four in the Western Conference playoff race. The Blazers have surprised many early in the season with gritty wins over the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves. They enter the game with a mark of at 4-4 after falling to the Denver Nuggets, 108-104, on Nov. 9.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
LaMarcus Aldridge (photo courtesy BostonGlobe.com)
ROSTER
Guards
3 - Ray McCallum, 6'3"
8 - Patty Mills, 6'0"
9 - Tony Parker, 6'2"
14 - Danny Green, 6'6"
17 - Jonathon Simmons, 6'6"
20 - Manu Ginobli, 6'6"
Forwards
1 - Kyle Anderson, 6'9"
2 - Kawhi Leonard, 6'7"
12 - LaMarcus Aldridge, 6'11"
15 - Matt Bonner, 6'10"
18 - Rasual Butler, 6'7"
30 - David West, 6'9"
Center
21 - Tim Duncan, 6'11"
33 - Boris Diaw, 6'8"
40 - Boban Margarnovic, 7'3"
INJURY REPORT
no injuries reported
HEAD COACH
Gregg Popovich
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - K. Leonard 22.1
Reb - Aldridge 9.1
Ast - Ginobli 3.9
Stl - K. Leonard 2.0
Blk - K. Leonard 1.4
Italics denote probable starters
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Damian Lillard (photo courtesy RantSports.com)
ROSTER
Guards
0 - Damian Lillard, 6'3"
3 - CJ McCollum, 6'4"
5 - Pat Connaughton, 6'5"
9 - Gerald Henderson, 6'5"
10 - Tim Frazier, 6'1"
44 - Luis Montero, 6'7"
Forwards
4 - Maurice Harkless, 6'9"
8 - Al-Farouq Aminu, 6'9"
17 - Ed Davis, 6'10"
21 - Noah Vonleh, 6'10"
23 - Allen Crabbe, 6'6"
34 - Cliff Alexander, 6'8"
Centers
11 - Meyers Leonard, 7'1"
24 - Mason Plumlee, 6'11"
35 - Chris Kaman, 7'0"
INJURY REPORT
Gerald Henderson (hip) - active
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - Lillard 27.5
Reb - Aminu 7.8
Ast - Lillard 7.3
Stl - Lillard 1.1
Blk - Plumlee 0.9
italics denote probable starters
ANGI'S TAKES
SPURS
There will be much said about this game being LaMarcus Aldridge's return to Portland. It will be interesting to see how Blazers fans react in his first game back to Portland after deciding to bolt for San Antonio over the summer in search of a championship. However, there is a lot more to this game than just that. With the addition of Aldridge (and David West), the aging Spurs actually got a little younger. Much is always said about Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, but the real thrust of this team has moved to Kawhi Leonard. The 2014 finals MVP can do it all and the Blazers will have their hands full, regardless who covers him. Former Blazer Patty Mills has been a Blazers killer over the past few years and is not slowing down. Danny Green is solid and Browis Diaw is surprisingly effective in the post. Key to a San Antonio win: Slow down the tempo.
BLAZERS
Portland has been somewhat of a surprise to the NBA in the early season. With their young roster, they were expected to be athletic. They match up better against half-court offenses than other teams which run. This was the case in their wins over the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies. They rely heavily on Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum; a tandem which leads the NBA in scoring among starting backcourts. Lillard has scored 20 or more points in every game this season. Al-Farouq Aminu has been more than Blazers could have dreamed for thus far. Ed Davis is a tenacious defender, and Allen Crabbe has been consistent and opportunistic at both ends of the court. Maurice Harkless is a spark plug who is taking care of steady playing time and making the most of it. Key to a Portland win: Use their athleticism and depth to take the Spurs out of their half-court game.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Kawhi Leonard vs. Al-Farouq Aminu.
FEATURED TWEETS
To comment on this thread and others on this forum, please login or register.
Graphic courtesy of David.
