Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 1

Feb 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Western Conference center Dwight Howard (12) of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs during practice for the 2013 NBA All-Star game at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

“Hello, Dwight. I want to play a game. It’s called intentionally fouling the s#!^ out of you and watching you shoot free throws.” – Coach Popovich in his best Jigsaw voice, probably.

The San Antonio Spurs are four wins away from embarrassing a large faction of national media and celebrities, that picked the Los Angeles Lakers to win this series. This group of people includes Magic Johnson, Skip Bayless, Charissa Thompson, Ice Cube, Lil’ Wayne and Cari Champion. (You’re damn right I’m keeping track of all these predictions.)

Sure the Spurs are being treated as underdogs heading into the playoffs, because of how they’ve completely limped to the regular season finish line. Also, picking the Lakers creates controversy, which is of course great for ratings. So I can’t be mad at ESPN. But I’m not letting anyone escape my wrath once the Spurs win this series.

Call me overconfident, blame me for all the bad karma, whatever you have to do. I apologize in advance. I will give the Los Angeles Lakers their due. They have a great team and a hell of a coach, regardless of what their record and seeding is. They’re not an easy out by any means.

But San Antonio has a better team and coach. I’m not telling you anything 95% of the population doesn’t already know. There are no groundbreaking, mindblowing, series deciding statistics to point at. When the ball tips off tomorrow afternoon, both teams will be starting at 0-0 score and record wise. Both teams have one goal – be the first to 16 wins.  And the Spurs are better equipped to get there than the Lakers are.

Anyway, enough rambling. Let’s get to what matters.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Point GuardsTony Parker – Steve NashShooting GuardsDanny Green – Jodie MeeksSmall ForwardsKawhi Leonard – Metta World PeacePower ForwardsTim Duncan – Pau GasolCentersTiago Splitter – Dwight Howard

KEY BENCH PLAYERSManu Ginobili, Gary Neal, Matt Bonner – Earl Clark, Antawn Jamison, Steve Blake

HEAD COACHESGregg Popovich – Mike D’Antoni

GAME AND BROADCAST INFORMATION

When: Sunday, April 21st, 2013 at 2:30 PM (Central Time)Where: AT&T Center – San Antonio, TexasTelevision: ABC (Local/National) Radio: 1200 AM WOAI (Local)

For the Los Angeles Lakers perspective, head over to Fansided’s Lake Show Life.

Game Prediction: Without getting too technical and repetitive from what we’ve already discussed, it comes down to the usual: Eliminate turnovers and share the basketball. I trust in the adrenaline of the postseason to get these guys juiced and not let a Mamba-less Lakers team embarrass them on national television. Spurs win a hard fought game by 7 points.