A look ahead at the Spurs games for the week.
Date: Tuesday, February 17 (6:30)
Team: New York Knicks (A)
TV: KRRT35
Why you should care: It’s become evident that the Suns needed Mike D’Antoni to succeed, and he is great at getting his players to perform above their talent level – at least offensively. The Knicks are just 3.5 games out of the playoffs, but they are also 27 in defensive efficiency. A D’Antoni coached team will make for an exciting game but won’t beat the Spurs. It’s pretty well accepted by now. It’s the first game after the All-Star break, so hopefully the team is nice and rested.
Date: Thursday, February 19 (7:00)
Team: Detroit Pistons(A)
TV: TNT
Why you should care: When the schedule was made, I’m sure the schedule makers saw this as a marquee game, giving it the TNT treatment. However, they could not have projected how this Pistons team has fallen. One of the most efficient defensive teams over the past few years, the Pistons are merely average defensively and offensively. They are 8-13 in the new year. Still, for some reason I have a bad feeling about this game. I just have a feeling that it will be closer than it should, not that my gut feelings are very accurate.
Date: Saturday, February 21 (7:00)
Team: Washington Wizards (A)
TV: KRRT35
Why you should care: Talk about an easy way to end the Rodeo Road Trip. The 11-42 Wizards are a franchise in search of order and function. I don’t see them finding that anytime soon. Antawn Jamison deserved to be an All-Star this year, and Caron Butler is one of the better small forwards in the game, but that’s about it. Look for the Spurs to finish the Rodeo Road Trip on a high note, blowing the Wizards out.
