Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs Host Minnesota Timberwolves in Regular Season Finale
By Michael Rehome
Mar 12, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) goes up for a layup past Minnesota Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma (34) and Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Derrick Williams (7) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight marks the end of a regular season that ended with news that many were and probably are still shocked by. The Los Angeles Lakers losing Kobe Bryant to a season ending injury. The San Antonio Spurs were dealing with injuries left and right and then this passed Friday, they released a fan favorite in Stephen Jackson. Fellow Spurs blogging sites have stated what I too have read, that what happened between Jax and Popovich was going on for weeks and it just boiled over.
San Antonio (58-23) has lost six of nine, blowing a chance at the West’s top seed – recently clinched by Oklahoma City. The Spurs had lost just six of their previous 33 games before this slump, which includes Monday’s 116-106 defeat at Golden State.
With the release of Stephen Jackson, came some news (whichever you want to take it) from the Spurs, Tuesday night, as they signed Tracy McGrady. There are rumors going around that T-Mac will not make his debut until the playoffs, but, NBA.Com writer Justin Einhorn, states Popovich will play everyone that is available tonight, including McGrady.
Popovich plans to play everyone available – even possibly Manu Ginobili and newcomer Tracy McGrady – in the regular-season finale Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On to the game tonight at the AT&T Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who has also had their shares of up and downs, on paper seem to have a pretty talented team. They feature a very talented point guard, a bunch of intriguing role players, a soon to be all-star center, and the whole ship is anchored by a fantastic power forward.
San Antonio is looking for win number three against these lonely T-Wolves. In the last meeting on March 12, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan did not make the trip. The Spurs were led by Corey Joseph who scored 15 in a 107 to 83 loss in Minnesota. Ricky Rubio dazzled and amazed the fans as he paced the Wolves with 21 points and 12 assists.
I am looking forward to see EVERYONE on the floor tonight for the Spurs. I am pretty excited to see one Tracy McGrady in silver and black. There are many probably scratching their heads on this signing but we here at Air Alamo feel he is a good signing and will bring us what we need for our playoff push. This will be the type of momentum push that we need heading into the postseason.
We really do appreciate our readers of Air Alamo and thank you for taking the time out of your schedules to come to our snazzy home. Here is to the end of the regular season. We will see you guys in the playoffs!!!!!
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
Point GuardsTony Parker – Ricky Rubio
Shooting GuardsDanny Green – Luke Ridnour
Small ForwardsKawhi Leonard – Derrick Williams
Power Forwards Tim Duncan – Andrei Kirilenko
CentersTiago Splitter – Dante Cunningham
BenchTracy McGrady, Gary Neal, Matt Bonner – JJ Barea, Alexey Shved
CoachesGregg “The MasterMind” Popovich – Rick Adelman
GAME AND BROADCAST INFORMATION
When: April 17th, 2013 at 8:00 PM (Spurs Time)Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio TexasTelevision: FSSW Radio: 1200 AM WOAI (Local)