Spurs try to extend their great fortune…

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers
3:30 PM ET, February 18, 2012
STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
Coverage: FSW2

This is the game we have been waiting for all week; a good defensive mind set team squaring off against the high flying, offensive powerhouse. When the San Antonio Spurs travel to Los Angeles take on the Clippers we will be treated with a few great matchups such as the dunking power of Blake Griffin against the wise defensive talents of center Tim Duncan among others. The Spurs have owned the Clippers over the last 2 years beating the LA team 7 of the last 8 times, something the Clippers hope to change quickly.

The San Antonio Spurs have won 7 games in a row and are playing some of the best basketball in years; they have stepped up their defense and with new additions to their roster, such as DeJuan Blair and Gary Neal. Currently being lead by all star point guard Tony Parker, scoring 18.6 points and 7.6 assists while Tim Duncan is pulling down 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game. The Spurs currently rank 8th overall in offense while keeping their opponents under 94 points a game, good enough for 12th overall on defense.

The Los Angeles Clippers have been making highlights all season long with their unbelievable dunking skills and great overall offense, but defense still eludes them, the shooting skills have greatly improved thanks to the skills of Mo William and they just got a little better with the signing of free agent Kenyon Martin. The Clippers rank 5th overall in the league in offense scoring 98.4 points a game while coming in 18th overall in defense. While they are one of the worst rebounding team in the NBA averaging 41.7 a game good enough for 20th place, the acquiring of point guard Chris Paul has them ranked 8th overall with about 22 assists a game.

Watching just how the Clippers intend on adjusting to the Spurs defense will be just as interesting watching how the Spurs adjust to quickness of the Los Angeles team. Rebounding will be huge for the Clippers and will allow them to keep it close, although the Spurs will have to equally attack the rim to keep the intensity high while watching their fouls. I recommend the Spurs in this one, there are a championship franchise that knows how to adjust and can keep up with the Clippers.