Point guard Tony Parker has done a remarkable job keeping the San Antonio Spurs' home winning streak alive with the team's other stars sidelined by injuries.
Extending that run will likely be more challenging with the Cleveland Cavaliers coming to town.
The Spurs hope to have Tim Duncan back in the lineup as they go for their seventh straight win at home - and fifth in a row overall - on Friday night in their first meeting with the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers.
Duncan has missed San Antonio's last two games because of right quad tendonosis, and he's day-to-day. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday the team would have to wait and see if Duncan's healthy enough to play against the Cavaliers.
``(Tuesday) night he had no strength in his leg,'' Popovich said. ``It's not quite as bad today.''
The Spurs (39-17) were already without Manu Ginobili, who hasn't played since the All-Star break because of a stress reaction in his right ankle and is expected to miss at least one more week.
Without two-thirds of the trio that has led the Spurs to three NBA titles in six years, Parker has been San Antonio's top offensive option. He had 37 points and 12 assists in a 93-76 win over Dallas on Tuesday, then scored 39 with nine assists in a 99-84 victory over Portland the following night.
``Tony Parker was a super stud again, and generated the offense again,'' Popovich said. ``His leadership on the floor was exceptional.''
In the two games without Duncan, Parker has shot 54.2 percent (32-for-59) from the field while totaling 72 minutes.
Cavs haven't lost 2 in a row all season, and with Duncan out this shouldn't be as big of a problem.
The question is, which Cavs team will show up? Big game Cavs team where they run a Lebron James isolation for 35 minutes out of the game and lose, or the winning Cavs team that runs their offense and works the ball around?
Cavs haven't lost 2 in a row all season, and with Duncan out this shouldn't be as big of a problem.
The question is, which Cavs team will show up? Big game Cavs team where they run a Lebron James isolation for 35 minutes out of the game and lose, or the winning Cavs team that runs their offense and works the ball around?
Mathius
Not so true. Cavs lost on the 8th and 10th of february with back to back games including at home against the Lakers and @ Indiana respectively.
I'm not too worried about San Antonio though. I say we win like.. 93-82
Not so true. Cavs lost on the 8th and 10th of february with back to back games including at home against the Lakers and @ Indiana respectively.
Ugh, you're right. I forgot about that night. Went to dinner and watched the game @ Applebees. TJ Ford hit the game winner and then the refs dragged the sh*t out.
Ugh, you're right. I forgot about that night. Went to dinner and watched the game @ Applebees. TJ Ford hit the game winner and then the refs dragged the sh*t out.
Cavaliers-Spurs Preview-2/27/09
Re: Cavaliers-Spurs Preview-2/27/09
Re: Cavaliers-Spurs Preview-2/27/09
