CMM's NBA Monday

IMO, this spot is very different. The first game was an opening game for the Hornets. The Spurs just did enough to win. I remember the Hornets were even up nearing the 2 minute mark only to see the more experienced team pull one over them. They also have a look ahead home opener to OKC up next. The second h2h is at the end of a 6 game road trip with 1 home game sandwiched in between. It was a horrible 5 game stretch prior to the game against the Hornets where the Spurs lost 4 of their last 5 (all 4 road games). Spurs were their usual self leading for most of the game only to allow a 10-0 run in the 4th. They have a lighter schedule going to this game and have a day to rest again before hosting the Lakers at home.

Jazz. They always play a lot better at home and I think the Mavs will need a couple more games to finally adjust to the extent of play that Dirk can produce.

Take a look at the stats in those games and you'll see Spurs were performing well below their average in 3 pointers over their last 2 games against the hornets (10 for 38 - 26.3% compared to their average 38.8%). Hornets defensive field goal % is 46.3, so it's fair to assume that the Spurs misses were due to them underperforming as opposed to the Hornets defense overperforming.

Simply put - if the Spurs are dropping their 3s, they cover (IMO).

Not to mention the fact that Spurs road PPG (104.7) owns the Hornets 87.4 home PPG.

The Hornets have the Spurs attention this time around and the schedule is favorable for the month with respect to B2B's and days off so the full arsenal will be available for this one including Leonard which is big....

Pop is making the team watch the video from the last few "tense" minutes of the 2 prior games to try and have the team have the "focus and intensity"....

Of course, with Monty Williams an ex Spur he says they are "well coached" and "keep coming at you...."

Should be a DD win but back door cover is always possible with teams like NO that won't quit....I'm looking at First Half play myself....

GL, the COACH!