Mar 8, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players (from left) Danny Green , and Kawhi Leonard , Stephen Jackson , Tiago Splitter, Manu Ginobili , Boris Diaw , and Tim Duncan watch on the bench during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT

The look from the bench pretty much showed the way the game went against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.  Portland shot over 60% from the floor and was led by rookie sensation Damian Lillard who torched the Spurs for 35 points.  Lillard showed his elusiveness and his ability to get to the whole as well as hit the outside jumper.  As a team the Trail Blazers hit 13 three-pointers on their way to a 136 to 106 win in the AT&T Center.

For San Antonio, Tim Duncan added 18 and 8 rebounds while Kawhi Leonard finished with 16.  As a team the Spurs did shoot the ball well but turnovers hurt them as well as bad decisions down the stretch.  Also, defense from the Spurs was not up to par and Stephen Jackson summed it up saying that this wasn’t the San Antonio team that many have seen all year long.  Others, simply stated it was an embarrasement.

As we did after the last game, we are now going to give out our post game grades for the players.  Here we go:

PG Corey Joseph | 13 points, 5-of-8 shooting, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Joseph did as good of a job as you could do against a player like Damian Lillard.  He did have some good steals and did play off the ball well, Lillard is just a scorer and showed his strength getting into the lane for Portland.  Joseph had a better game shooting the ball than he did a few games ago.  He finished with 13 points in just over 36 minutes of play.

Grade:  B-

SG Danny Green | 10 points, 4-of-9 shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

This was the Danny Green that I wanted to see come out of the gates.  He shot the ball better and was looking for his shot.  Though he scored just 10 points, he looked better on the offensive end than he did in his last outing.

Grade:  C+

SF Kawhi Leonard | 16 points, 7-of-14 shooting, 6 rebounds

Leonard had a good game.  He had some spectacular plays that got some fans off their feet and one in which he was called for an offensive foul that got me up out of mine too.  I like his aggression and he was showing the Trail Blazers and those other teams watching that he isn’t afraid to go into the lane.

Grade:  B-

PF Tim Duncan | 18 points, 8-of-14 shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 assists

Duncan played just 23 minutes and was his usual self.  Though his shots from outside seemed flat, he didn’t get much lift into it.  Once the game seemed out of reach, Pop sat Duncan most of the way in the fourth.  Besides, we need all we can from him on Monday when San Antonio plays Oklahoma City.

Grade: B

C Tiago Splitter | 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Just dunk the ball Splitter!  It just bugs me when he goes to the reverse layup all the dang time when all he has to do is punch it home.  Splitter had a rough time on the defensive end against JJ Hickson.  Who would of thought he would come out and have a game like that?  Splitter was trying to be aggressive but Hickson got the best of him.

Grade:  C+

Bench | 40 points, 16-of-34 shooting, 6 rebounds, 11 assists

Manu Ginobili paced the bench with 16 points on 6 of 15 shooting.  He did have some questionable passes as he would try to fit them in between defenders but hey that is Manu.  Patty Mills had six points and hit all three of his shots that he attempted.  DeJuan Blair played just 8 minutes but was productive in that time grabbing 4 rebounds.  He also scored 2 points.  San Antonio bench did their part in trying to keep the team in the game but it was just too much of Portland to handle.

Grade:  B-

Dec 13, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) and San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) battle for position under the basket during the fourth quarter of the game at the Rose Garden. The Blazers won the game 98-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs (48-14), still holding the best record in the league will play host tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers (28-32).  San Antonio is coming off of a 101 to 83 drumming of the Chicago Bulls, where Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili paced the Spurs with 18 points each.  As for Portland, they are coming off of a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies 85 to 91.  J.J. Hickson had a double-double in the game scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds.

San Antonio has held the best record in the league despite the injuries that has hit the team as of late, but not to be a surprise to others in the league, San Antonio is built with the players in place that can step in and still know what their job is.  What do the players feel about them being on top of the standings when they see Oklahoma City Thunder playing well and also the Miami Heat stringing off 16 in a row.

“We see Miami play and Oklahoma City, the amount of talent they have, the depth, they make crazy shots. And we look at the standings, and we’re on top,” said a seemingly amazed Manu Ginobili, who mentioned himself and Tim Duncan among the many lengthy absences San Antonio has endured.

The bench has been key for San Antonio.  They have averaged 52.7 points, and that is without the services of one Gary Neal also.

Nov. 10, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) puts up a shot on San Antonio Spurs point guard Patrick Mills (8) during the third quarter of the game at the Rose Garden. The Spurs won the game 112-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Ginobili is the key off of the bench.  He is starting to play at another level and has 35 points over the past two games.  Patty Mills (everyone’s favorite) has averaged 10.3 points per and over 76% shooting from the floor as well in the past three.

The Blazers haven’t visited San Antonio since losing two trips last season by a combined 51 points. The teams have split two meetings in Portland this season.

Damian Lillard’s 29 points keyed a 98-90 win over the Spurs on Dec. 13 in the last matchup. The Rookie of the Year candidate has scored at least 20 in four straight games.

LaMarcus Aldridge also helped out in the win back in December as he scored 22 and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Starting Lineups // Who Has The Edge

Point Guards
Corey Joseph vs Damian Lillard

Joseph is coming off of a game where he played 24 minutes.  He scored just 4 points in the game but he did do a good job on Nate Robinson keeping him out of the lane.  He is your typical point guard, looking to get everyone else involved and when he can he will shoot.  What can you say about Lillard.  The kid can flat out play.  From someone who didn’t come from a big school, he sure has become one of the shining stars in the league and is well on his way to being named Rookie of the Year.

EDGE:  Portland

Shooting Guards
Danny Green vs Wesley Matthews

I am still puzzled about what I saw from Green on Wednesday night.  He was not the aggressive Danny Green that I have seen the past few games.  He put up just five shots in 23 minutes.  Though he wasn’t his usual self on the offensive end, he still did his part on the defensive side.  He is one of those players that always has his hands in the game no matter what it is.  His length is what is scary and if you think you can get a pass by him without it getting touched at some point, think again.  I look for him to come out firing tonight.  Matthews in his last game out against Memphis scored 11 points in 33 minutes.  An athletic guard, he does remind me of Green in a way because of his energy and he is always around the ball.

EDGE:  Even

Small Forwards
Kawhi Leonard vs Nicolas Batum

Leonard has become one to watch in the open floor.  He goes to the rim as hard as anyone and looks to draw contact.  Though he is

Apr 22, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the AT

coming on with the offense, he is our ‘Bruce Bowen’.  He will be depended on to guard the other teams best player and I can see him guard Lillard at some point tonight.  In the last game against Chicago, Leonard had some energizing dunks to get the crowd involved.  He had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.  The last time these two met, way back in December, Leonard did not play.  Batum is an energy player, and he can score.  Though he had a rough shooting night against the Grizzlies (scored just 10 points, 4-of-10 shooting) he can easily give you 20 a night.

EDGE:  San Antonio

Power Forwards
Tim Duncan vs LaMarcus Aldridge

Coming into this game, Duncan has recorded four consecutive double-doubles.  He is playing with a sense of urgency since Tony Parker went down with an injury.  He can do it all.  That is why he is called the ‘Big Fundamental’.  Against Chicago, he was a man amongst boys on defense throwing back 5 block shots.  He finished with 18 points.  He will have his hands full tonight with LaMarcus Aldridge.  Aldridge is like a Duncan.  He can shoot it from outside and take it inside.  He likes to be around the ball at all times and brings the energy for Portland.  Last outing against San Antonio he had 22 and 6.

EDGE:  San Antonio

Centers
Tiago Splitter vs J.J. Hickson

Last time these two met Splitter came off of the bench and played nearly 29 minutes.  In that time he notched 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.  Against Chicago, he had a double-double, 13 and 10.  J.J. Hickson is coming off of a double-double himself against the Memphis Grizzlies.  Splitter will have to keep Hickson off of the boards as that is where he gets most of his points from.

EDGE: Even

Bench
San Antonio got 35 points from their bench paced by Manu Ginobili (18 points) and Patty Mills (13 points).  Stephen Jackson pitched in seven.  The Bulls don’t have much of a bench outside of Eric Maynor and Meyers Leonard.  San Antonio has scorers off the bench we all know, look for Matt Bonner to hit one, two maybe three from downtown tonight as he did not even attempt one against Chicago.

EDGE:  San Antonio

Broadcast Information

Television:  NBA League Pass
Local:  FSSW
Radio:  1200 WOAI

For perspective from Portland, head over to Rip City Project.