Timberwolves-Spurs Preview-3/17

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Timberwolves-Spurs Preview




The San Antonio Spurs let a potential victory slip away last time out against one of the league's worst teams. Tim Duncan is not going to let that happen again.

The Southwest Division-leading Spurs look to bounce back from a surprising loss and win their ninth straight over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opener of a four-game homestand Tuesday night.

San Antonio (44-22) lost all momentum from Saturday's key 88-85 win over Houston with Monday's 78-76 loss to last-place Oklahoma City. The loss, coupled with the Rockets' win over New Orleans, moved Houston within 2 1/2 games of the Spurs in the Southwest.

San Antonio had won nine of its previous 13 games and those four losses were all against teams likely playoff-bound - Cleveland, Portland, Dallas and the Los Angles Lakers.

On Monday, the Spurs appeared on their way to an easy win with a 17-point first-quarter lead but scored only 34 points in the second half and were held to a season low in points. The Thunder didn't take their first lead until midway through the fourth, spoiling Gregg Popovich's 1,000th game as coach.

``A game that we should have had and continued to add to our record, but we let one slip away,'' said Duncan, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds Monday for his fifth straight double-double. ``It is over now, it is gone. We just have to worry about tomorrow and trying to clean up tomorrow.''

While a loss to Oklahoma City is upsetting for a San Antonio expected to contend for a championship, a defeat to Minnesota (20-46) would be just as disappointing.

The Spurs have won eight straight over the Timberwolves since a 103-101 overtime loss on Jan. 3, 2007, and 13 of 14 meetings since the start of the 2005-06 season. San Antonio has also won nine straight at home in the series since a 100-93 loss on Jan. 14, 2004.

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[twolvesfan]

klove is such a man