Spurs vs Trail Blazers NBA Handicapping
Pass, pick, cut to the hoop, layup. Play defense. Do it again. And again. Every game.
San Antonio Spurs (18-5) at Portland Trail Blazers (9-12)
Thursday, Dec. 13
Rose Garden, Portland
10:30 p.m. EST
Spread: 199
O/U: Spurs -5.5 from Bovada
Check Out Ray’s NBA Plays Today!
The Spurs are an “It takes a village” team in a league that worships the individual. David Stern instructs his minions to market flashy stars, and instead the best team in the league has few. Few that get even a sniff on ESPN, anyway.
They just win, baby. Sans the flash.
SA takes its league-best 18-5 record to the northwest tonight in the back end of the TV doubleheader, and it will probably be just another 9-5 office day for the sons of Gregg Popovich. Tony Parker will be the best guard on the court, Tim Duncan will fundamental his way to 18 points and 10 rebounds, and everyone else will play their supporting roles perfectly.
And around 10 p.m. local time the Spurs should have their 11th win in their last 13 games.
The Spurs stumbled a bit last night in Utah when Mo Williams of the Jazz took them down with a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but that should only make SA focus even more tonight. [ad-6571516]
If there is a “Yeah but …” with the Spurs, it’s the legitimate question of whether they have the legs to withstand several long playoff series against younger and more-athletic teams.
They hit the wall last season and dropped four straight to Oklahoma City after going up 2-0 in the conference finals. We’ll have to wait five months to see if a similar fate awaits this year’s core.
National fans will be able to get a closer look at Portland PG Damian Lillard, who appears to be the new Brandon Roy. Lillard is at 18.4 ppg, and can pass and can shoot the three.
The Blazers’ offense pretty much flows through him. Portland is just trying to keep above water until more talent can be had.
THE PICK:
Two losses in a row? Not likely. At least until some mid-season fatigue sets in. Spurs should cover here, but if you don’t like giving the points on the road, take a long look at an under play.
The Spurs have been known to rest their top-liners.
