The Final game it comes down to this,

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Originally Posted by Asteptooslow

The Spurs aren't the best on the road...so we have a very good chance.

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Looking at the Spurs as a whole is a mistake IMO. They are not even close to the same team that they were in even February.

They are 8-2 in their last ten on the road, with a differential of +10.2 in that span.

Since February 27th, they have been the best team in the NBA by a wide margin. This is not the team we played earlier in the season and this is not the team that has gone 22-18 on the road. This is a whole different beast. They are the best team in the NBA hands down and they are playing for a 2 seed, as opposed to a 6th seed. It will be very, very difficult

Pardon me for not being on top of all the scenarios, but with the Clippers playing tonight.....does a loss by them help us any with SA? I know SA, HOU and LAC are all tied. I am all about beating them at their best but I will take any advantage we can get. :)

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Originally Posted by WeatherNLU

Pardon me for not being on top of all the scenarios, but with the Clippers playing tonight.....does a loss by them help us any with SA? I know SA, HOU and LAC are all tied. I am all about beating them at their best but I will take any advantage we can get. :)

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Found this:

http://i.imgur.com/63yDncl.jpg

A Clippers loss helps the Spurs, but not enough for the game against us to not matter to them.

Nice chart. Dang, we are going to have to earn this one!

The problem the team has had all year is consistency in its play. The Pelicans with the exception of a few games just don't play all 4 qtrs. Whether it's coaching or players relaxing with big leads, we need a TRUE leader on this team(it seems like that is still being sorted out by team members). We need the players to have that cut-throat killer instinct. If that happens watch out NBA.:D

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Originally Posted by sterlr

The problem the team has had all year is consistency in its play. The Pelicans with the exception of a few games just don't play all 4 qtrs. Whether it's coaching or players relaxing with big leads, we need a TRUE leader on this team(it seems like that is still being sorted out by team members). We need the players to have that cut-throat killer instinct. If that happens watch out NBA.:D

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THIS

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Looking at the Spurs as a whole is a mistake IMO. They are not even close to the same team that they were in even February.

They are 8-2 in their last ten on the road, with a differential of +10.2 in that span.

Since February 27th, they have been the best team in the NBA by a wide margin. This is not the team we played earlier in the season and this is not the team that has gone 22-18 on the road. This is a whole different beast. They are the best team in the NBA hands down and they are playing for a 2 seed, as opposed to a 6th seed. It will be very, very difficult

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What's is their road SOS during that period? Why begin on Feb 27th? That date was the tail end of their rodeo rode trip which they just lost @ Portland on Feb 25th. They finished that road trip 4-5.

Because of that long road trip they've only played 10 road games since then that wasn't exactly a murderer's row. Their most impressive road victory since then was @Atlanta which was then followed up by a loss @Dallas. Their next difficult road game was that squeaker in Houston. Much as we harp on our road losses to bad teams, the Spurs also lost to the Knicks at MSG on 3/27.

San Antonio is playing better but let’s not get carried away. They aren't bludgeoning every good team on the road not even if we want to start on 2/27.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Looking at the Spurs as a whole is a mistake IMO. They are not even close to the same team that they were in even February.

They are 8-2 in their last ten on the road, with a differential of +10.2 in that span.

Since February 27th, they have been the best team in the NBA by a wide margin. This is not the team we played earlier in the season and this is not the team that has gone 22-18 on the road. This is a whole different beast. They are the best team in the NBA hands down and they are playing for a 2 seed, as opposed to a 6th seed. It will be very, very difficult

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No disrespect of your wisdom and what the numbers spell, but SCREW the numbers. Sometimes you have to factor in the situation at whats at stake. Im sure the numbers said that the game that we won against ATL and GS at home was against us. Lets just be kids again for just this time. Lets be innocent and ignorant to given harsh logic and reality that the numbers and science say. And dream and prepare for a major upset!

A radio show here in Dallas was discussing western conference playoffs. Obviously they were talking about who the Mavs will play in the playoffs. They were certain that Pop likes Monty ALOT and discussed the possibility of resting some guys because the Spurs are not specifically concerned about home advantage because they are THAT good and its more important for them to rest older guys. At the end, they said that Pop would normally rest guys regardless of who's going to benefit from it, Monty and the Pelicans or anyone else.

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Originally Posted by Mido-Peja

A radio show here in Dallas was discussing western conference playoffs. Obviously they were talking about who the Mavs will play in the playoffs. They were certain that Pop likes Monty ALOT and discussed the possibility of resting some guys because the Spurs are not specifically concerned about home advantage because they are THAT good and its more important for them to rest older guys. At the end, they said that Pop would normally rest guys regardless of who's going to benefit from it, Monty and the Pelicans or anyone else.

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Well, Splitter has already been ruled out.

Bring on Parker, Duncan, Ginobli et al.

I find myself getting a bit annoyed with Anthony Davis' unwillingness to take over games. There isn't a single person on the spurs that can guard AD, and yes that includes Kawhi. He needs to put this team on his back for 1 game and truly have a MVP performance if we want the W

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

No disrespect of your wisdom and what the numbers spell, but SCREW the numbers. Sometimes you have to factor in the situation at whats at stake. Im sure the numbers said that the game that we won against ATL and GS at home was against us. Lets just be kids again for just this time. Lets be innocent and ignorant to given harsh logic and reality that the numbers and science say. And dream and prepare for a major upset!

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I'm with you on this one. If you want to look at cold numbers and logic, there's no way we win this game. However, I also know that we have a young team that will have the excitement of playing a game with this much on the line against a team they can say "no one gives us a shot against." You should have a playoff atmosphere in the SKC. I'm going into this game with the "any given day" mindset. Why not us? Why not Wednesday? Lets do this!!!

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

That would be cool. But in some areas we are already there. Spurs fans are also talking about games they should have won with no regard for games they should have lost.

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Let me first say that I agree with you.

However, everyone remembers their bad beats instead of their great wins or almost losses. I think any one who is competitive does this. Its just human nature.

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Originally Posted by heybigmatt

Let me first say that I agree with you.

However, everyone remembers their bad beats instead of their great wins or almost losses. I think any one who is competitive does this. Its just human nature.

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And you can also use logic to overcome your primal nature. We do it all the time as human beings. It is easier to fall into emotional traps or think one way than the other, but it can also be overcome with logic and reasoning.

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

No disrespect of your wisdom and what the numbers spell, but SCREW the numbers. Sometimes you have to factor in the situation at whats at stake. Im sure the numbers said that the game that we won against ATL and GS at home was against us. Lets just be kids again for just this time. Lets be innocent and ignorant to given harsh logic and reality that the numbers and science say. And dream and prepare for a major upset!

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Do whatever you want, nobody is stopping you. I was responding to a poster that said the Spurs weren't very good on the road. I never said the game was impossible to win or told anyone how to think. Do whatever you want. I will go in hoping for a win, but knowing the season is a success as long as nobody gets seriously hurt personally. But I don't need everyone to share my philosophy.

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Originally Posted by DarkHornet

I'm with you on this one. If you want to look at cold numbers and logic, there's no way we win this game. However, I also know that we have a young team that will have the excitement of playing a game with this much on the line against a team they can say "no one gives us a shot against." You should have a playoff atmosphere in the SKC. I'm going into this game with the "any given day" mindset. Why not us? Why not Wednesday? Lets do this!!!

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I think there are actually ways to show this game is winnable. The Pels role players have been much better at home. The key is simple - the ball can't stick. The Spurs defense wants you to go ISO. If we get a lot of Tyreke pounding the rock, it's a loss - plain and simple. Ball moves, and I think a win is very possible.

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Originally Posted by Schmide234

I find myself getting a bit annoyed with Anthony Davis' unwillingness to take over games. There isn't a single person on the spurs that can guard AD, and yes that includes Kawhi. He needs to put this team on his back for 1 game and truly have a MVP performance if we want the W

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First, AD has taken over plenty. Just last night AD put up 24-11-6-5. . .

Second, Duncan is one of the best defensive bigs in the league. He can guard AD while he plays. This Spurs team will not be a pushover unless Pops rests people.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I think there are actually ways to show this game is winnable. The Pels role players have been much better at home. The key is simple - the ball can't stick. The Spurs defense wants you to go ISO. If we get a lot of Tyreke pounding the rock, it's a loss - plain and simple. Ball moves, and I think a win is very possible.

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I actually have seen a lot more ball movement especially when Jrue is in the game. When Jrue is on the court then you don't see Reke playing hero ball as much or Ryno shooting those terrible fadeaway jumpers. It's like he gets in the game and people start passing the ball around. I don't know if it's his voice/leadership when he is on the court, but I like it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by DarkHornet

I'm with you on this one. If you want to look at cold numbers and logic, there's no way we win this game. However, I also know that we have a young team that will have the excitement of playing a game with this much on the line against a team they can say "no one gives us a shot against." You should have a playoff atmosphere in the SKC. I'm going into this game with the "any given day" mindset. Why not us? Why not Wednesday? Lets do this!!!

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YES!YES!YES!

I will be up at 1am for tip off...finishing around 4am...and into work a few hours later... I hope I'm not disappointed with a lack of sleep at the end of it.

This game is huge.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Do whatever you want, nobody is stopping you. I was responding to a poster that said the Spurs weren't very good on the road. I never said the game was impossible to win or told anyone how to think. Do whatever you want. I will go in hoping for a win, but knowing the season is a success as long as nobody gets seriously hurt personally. But I don't need everyone to share my philosophy.

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Your philosophy is very reasonable, and im a fan of it. But not WED BABY! Lets Go Pels!

To hell with facts, stats, reasoning, etc. All Pelicans' fans need to enjoy the game and do all they can to cheer them on to victory. The other 81 games do not matter now.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I still don't think you get my point. There is no doubt that we can look back on some games with regret and say that we could have/should have won those games. But my issue, as always, is lack of balance. If you do that, you also have to acknowledge the games you could have/should have lost. For example - why do people think we should have beat Boston or Orlando? Because they are much lower than us with regard to record and/or point differential, right? Well, do you know there is a wider gap between us and Golden State than us and several teams we lost to? So, then by this same logic, we should have lost to GS last week, right?

Or, someone points to the Asik tip game (a game we still could of won in OT by the way) and I can point to the Illysova miss. On top of that, I am sure there are 5 games OKC fans can point to and say they should have won. THIS is why I think the whole thought exercise is pointless. Because it is not balanced. You wanna talk about the games we should have won? Fine by me, but only if you also bring up the other side. Not to mention, how do we know that some losses didn't make us more focused or the coaching staff get on guys more and lead to more wins?

It is a pointless exercise IMO, and one that lacks truth and balance.

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It isn't pointless. You keep asserting that but haven't actually addressed my point.

We are four games behind the next worst playoff team against sub .500 competition. We also have the least amount of wins against above .500 teams in the West.

You are going to win some games against teams you aren't statistically better then and lose some to teams you are statistically worse then. If you are a team that is struggling against higher level competition, as we are, it makes winning games against the teams you are better then much, much more important. Which we failed to do.

As you say, balance.

But when you talk about games that make your road easiest to the postseason, maximizing your wins against poor competition is a much easier feat then trying to beat tougher competition to make up for lagging behind your playoff competitors in beating bad teams.

It is harder to excuse losses against poor competition then better competition. Just 1 victory against PHI, ORL, NYK or CHA and all other things being equal this game is basically meaningless and we are resting guys to get ready for the playoffs.

Enjoy the game. Every minute of it. Go crazy if they win, appreciate the season as a whole if they lose. How I am gonna look at it.

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Originally Posted by N.O.Bronco

It isn't pointless. You keep asserting that but haven't actually addressed my point.

We are four games behind the next worst playoff team against sub .500 competition. We also have the least amount of wins against above .500 teams in the West.

You are going to win some games against teams you aren't statistically better then and lose some to teams you are statistically worse then. If you are a team that is struggling against higher level competition, as we are, it makes winning games against the teams you are better then much, much more important. Which we failed to do.

As you say, balance.

But when you talk about games that make your road easiest to the postseason, maximizing your wins against poor competition is a much easier feat then trying to beat tougher competition.

It is harder to excuse losses against poor competition then better competition. Just 1 victory against PHI, ORL, NYK or CHA and all other things being equal this game is basically meaningless and we are resting guys to get ready for the playoffs.

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But according to this, we have to take away our victories against GS, SA, Cleve, etc too right? Because we are as far from them pt differential wise as those other teams are from us. Fine, I will grant you the wins over the teams we are much better than only if you also grant the losses against the teams we are much inferior to. Which will leave us in about the same place.