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Golden State Warriors (44-26) vs. San Antonio Spurs (52-16)
Roaracle, Oakland 7:30 PM PDT
TV: CSNBA, NBA TV / Radio: KNBR 680
Blog Buddy: Pounding the Rock
Good News - Golden State can't play down to the Spurs. Bad news - they could look like it anyway. San Antonio is on a 12-game win streak, their longest since 2010. Granted, the Dubs are 8-2 in their last 10, but tonight will be a challenge - let's hope the Warriors are up for it.
As usual, San Antonio has some slipped back into leading the league. That might have something to do with going 12 deep in above-average players (given that .100 is an average ws/48). Golden State, in contrast, only goes 9 deep in that regard. But this game could be a tight rotation game for the Dubs - with a 6-day break coming up, it'll be interesting to see what happens. Most times lately, these teams have had great games, which is to be expected given the players?
Warriors have Andrew Bogut, David Lee, and Jermaine O'Neal - Spurs have Tim Duncan, Tiago Splitter, and Boris Diaw . Stephen Curry against Tony Parker (who is still underrated). Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Marco Belinelli, and Kawhi Leonard versus Harrison Barnes, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala.
Except Bogut and Iguodala are listed as day-to-day, and O'Neal is out for the game. There's that tight rotation, and it could be missing 3 of our top 5 players. OUCH. And San Antonio is healthy. Let's hope the Equinox brings karmic balance and we win this one to avenge our home loss to them when they were down players.
Tony P has been playing particularly well lately, and that has something to do with the Spurs' record as well. I suspect next year will be the last of the Big 3 in San Antonio. Why? Because I think they're going for two records - most wins together by 3 players, and most games together by three players. They're on track to break both of those, next season. That, kids, is a dynasty.
So how does Danny vs Klay go tonight? Will Harrison or Klay get Kawhi? No clue, really. These teams can be so good - and play so well against each other - I can't predict this one.
Call it a tossup, and what promises to be more Dub excitement at Oracle.