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I was looking over the schedule and I a am leaning towards the spurs finishing 23-4 for an overall record of 69-13 for the season. I expect to split with the heat, and split the last 2 with LAL and maybe a loss to Dallas.
I was looking over the schedule and I a am leaning towards the spurs finishing 23-4 for an overall record of 69-13 for the season. I expect to split with the heat, and split the last 2 with LAL and maybe a loss to Dallas.
Doubt it. If The Spurs obtain HCA with a few weeks left to go in the year, I can't see why Poppovich would play his starters enough in order to go for some 69-13 mark, which is really secondary to ensuring your veteran stars are rested for the playoff run. The Spurs are comfortably 8 games ahead of Dallas and LA, I would expect this lead to remain till the end.
That's just it, he isn't playing them much as it is. The only way he reduces the minutes any more is to sit them and while I can see him
Doing that, he isn't sitting them against the better teams. He can rest them against the weaker teams and still win the games baring a let down. Also if Dallas comes on strong with the weaker schedule they have coming (and have had lately) then he may need those games. The only time I see pop sitting games against good teams are very late. They beat the lakers in the next game and he sits everyone in the last meeting (2nd to last game) as an example.
Doing that, he isn't sitting them against the better teams. He can rest them against the weaker teams and still win the games baring a let down.
IF they have a comfortable lead heading into April, there's little need to play the major players much, if at all. Let's say they have a 10 game lead and no other team is in danger of overtaking them. Are you going to risk Ginobli rolling his ankle if there's no chance of anyone catching you? I don't see either the Mavs or the Lakers catching San Antonio with the schedules of each team left to play. The only reason to play these guys in the final games of the season, is if other teams are in striking distance in terms of HCA.
They have stated on several occasions they NEED HCA in the playoffs, this includes the finals. They have all stated they need to have a better record then the heat, the celtics, bulls who ever in the east as well as the west.
They have stated on several occasions they NEED HCA in the playoffs, this includes the finals. They have all stated they need to have a better record then the heat, the celtics, bulls who ever in the east as well as the west.
Of course they do, and to what extent the stars are played will largely be dictated by whether or not other teams are a threat to take HCA from them, as I previously stated. If there's no threat of someone wrestling HCA from them in either conference, then they can scale back Duncan/Ginobli/Parker's minutes for the playoff run.
On a side note, while the mavs play 15 +.500 teams still only 7 games are more "tough" games. 2 lakers, 1 spurs, 2 hornets, 2 Portland. The hornets are stinking up now, Utah is almost out, 1 game with Knicks who are 2nd tier at best. They could easily push the brink on the spurs as their schedule is a lot easier.
Ok 6-3 is not bad for the Spurs Rodeo Road Trip, even though I thought maybe they could go 7-2, but a win over a young and fast Thunder team lastnight was good. But something in my head says they are missing something.
Lockdown Defense!!!! Am I right??
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