By Tony Adams
The Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs will both be out to make an early statement that they’re not past their prime when they clash tonight...
Click here for the latest odds at JustBet Sportsbook with San Antonio expected to be a small home favorite.
ESPN will have the coverage beginning at 8 pm ET and there is no love lost between these teams as San Antonio has knocked Phoenix out of the playoffs the last years.
Critics have all but written off the two ageing giants as title contenders this season, claiming their star-studded line-ups have seen better days. And on the surface, the claims seem to have merit.
The Suns have an old, injury-plagued roster and even in their seven-game pre-season, new coach Terry Porter was unable to achieve as much continuity as he desired due to nagging problems among his key personnel.
Team management is already prepared to concede that powerhouse Shaquille O’Neal will miss some games due to wear and tear on his massive frame.
The Suns boast one of the best point guards in the game in Steve Nash and his ability to shoot the three-ball at 47%, and over 50% from the field overall, is a major asset.
Nash is also regarded among the best passers in the NBA at 11.1 assists last year, but at 34, he is due to slip a bit and is becoming more prone to injury, struggling through the pre-season with ankle problems.
The Spurs, on the other hand, also have one of the oldest and most experienced teams in the league. Bruce Bowen, Michael Finley and Kurt Thomas range from 35-37, while All-Stars Tim Duncan (32) and Manu Ginobili (31) are not far behind.
Duncan remains a force, but not quite the one he was three to five years ago, while Ginobili is on the comeback trail from ankle and heel surgery. Ginobili will miss this game and is scheduled to be out until mid December.
Coach Gregg Popovich, entering his 13th straight season (only Utah’s Jerry Sloan has been with his team longer) has an ace up his sleeve in outstanding point guard Tony Parker.
Entering his eighth NBA season, Parker is a young veteran at 26 and appears to be getting better and better. This season he’s set his sights on becoming a team leader and he will need to score more with Ginobili’s 20 points per game out of the lineup.
The West is a young, fast league and the Spurs may have trouble keeping up with some of their more mobile opponents, and that’s where Parker will have to work especially hard.
It won’t be such a problem in this game, however, with both teams boasting similar strengths and weaknesses.
Phoenix won three of the four regular season meetings between the teams, and was 3-1 against the spread (ATS).
San Antonio won the first round playoff series between the squads 4-1, and they were 2-2-1 ATS.
The Suns will certainly have revenge on their minds tonight. We will see if they can get it.