Game Preview: Pacers at Spurs

November 3, 20123:38 PM EDT

Monday, November 5 at 8:30 PM at the AT&T Center

Game Preview: IND vs SAS

by Scott Agness

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Matchup

After the Pacers' home-opener Saturday against Sacramento, the team heads back on the road for three more games. First stop: San Antonio.

The Spurs remain one of the best and most consistent teams in the NBA. Since Tim Duncan joined their roster in 1997-98, the Spurs have the best winning-percentage in the NBA.

They have won at least 50 games in every season since 1999-00 and have three titles ('03, '05, '07) to show for it. And the year before the 50-win streak began? They went 37-13 in the shortened ‘98-99 season and also won the title.

With the guidance and leadership of Coach Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan, they are fundamentally sound, and although their three core players have been in the league 11+ years, they continue to get results.

Pacers center Roy Hibbert looks up to Duncan. Two years ago, Hibbert visited with him and picked his brain on workouts, moves, and little things that could take his game to another level. And he has.

Shooting specialist Manu Ginobili missed the Spurs' first two games with a back injury but he's expected to return.

Probable Starters

Pacers

C – Roy Hibbert
F – David West
F – Gerald Green
G – Paul George
G – George Hill

Spurs

C – Boris Diaw
F – Tim Duncan
F – Kawhi Leonard
G – Daniel Green
G – Tony Parker

Injury Update

Pacers: Danny Granger (out indefinitely, left knee injury), George Hill (probable, hip pointer)

Spurs: Manu Ginobili (questionable, back)

Noteworthy

The Spurs have won the last nine match-ups.
Steven Jackson, who played three seasons in Indiana, is in his second season with the Spurs.
Kawhi Leonard was drafted by the Pacers in 2011 but sent to the Spurs in exchange for hometown guard George Hill.
The Spurs return 13 players from last season.

Last Meeting

San Antonio led from the beginning and never trailed in a 112-103 home win over Indiana on March 31st. Due to the 66-game schedule, it was their only meeting of the year.

Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 23 points and 11 rebounds for their seventh straight win. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili each scored 18 points.

Four Pacers scored 15 or more points, led by Paul George and Danny Granger’s 18 points. George Hill contributed nine points, seven rebounds and six assists in his first game back in San Antonio, where he played his first three seasons.

Upcoming

On Wednesday, the Pacers play in Atlanta at 7:30 PM EST and on Friday, November 9th, they play at Minnesota. Start time for the T-Wolves game is 8:00 PM EST. Their next home game is Saturday, November 10th at 7:00 PM versus the Wizards. Buy Tickets »