Gameday Dish: Spurs vs. Heat

The 13-3 San Antonio Spurs come to South Beach tonight to take on the 10-3 Miami Heat.

LeBron James and friends have yet to lose on their home court this season. In fact, they’ve won 28 of their last 30 home games dating back to last year.

However, the Spurs are 9-1 away from home this year. Tonight’s 48 represent the end of a current San Antonio 6-game road trip on which they’re 5-0 so far. On top of that, the Black and Silver have won 19 of their last 21 regular season road games.

Sounds like a classic hardwood immovable object versus irresistible force scenario.

Miami last played on Saturday at home against James’ former team, the Cavaliers. Coach Spoelstra’s guys eked out a 110-108 come-from-behind win, even as eight Cleveland players reached double figures in scoring.

King James had 30 points; Chris Bosh went for 23; and Ray Allen had a crucial 17 off the bench in Miami’s 4th straight W.

The Spurs played and won last night in Orlando. Coach Popovich’s squad outscored the Magic in each of the 4 quarters to cruise to a 110-89 victory. Manu Ginobili scored 20 points; Tony Parker had 8 assists; and Tim Duncan blocked 5 shots in San Antonio’s 5th straight W.

San Antonio ranks 1st overall in dimes per game and 3rd in points per game at 102.6 this season. Miami is 4th in assists and 2nd overall in points per game at 104.8. Translation: each team can score and does it with unselfish ball movement and advanced spacing.

Tune in to TNT tonight at 8PM ET to watch two of the NBA’s most talented and disciplined sides battle it out in their first of two meetings this season.

Czar’s Season Preview

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Czar’s Season Preview

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Czar’s Season Update

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Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: Chandler Parsons

The Houston Rockets made a draft day steal in 2011. In the 2nd round with the 38th overall selection they snatched up 6’9” SF Chandler Parsons. The University of Florida Gator played for coach Billy Donovan for 4 years and was named the SEC Player of The Year in 2011.

During the lockout shortened 2011-2012 season, Parsons played in 63 of the 66 games and started in 57 of them. He averaged 9.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.2 spg In 28.6 mpg. Parsons ranked 10th in scoring among his fellow freshmen, and he was named to the 2012 NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team.

So far this season after 13 contests, the 24-year old native Floridian is averaging 37.8 mpg, 15.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.1 spg. Parsons is also hitting 2.4 three pointers per game while shooting .413% from behind the arc.

Parsons has season highs of 31 points, 13 boards, 6 dimes (2X) and 4 steals. And in the Rockets’ last game against the Knicks, the standout sophomore connected on 13 of 17 FG attempts, including 4 of 7 from long range.

Last season the Rockets just missed the playoffs with a 34-32 record. But the Rockets have revamped their roster, adding Jeremy Lin at the 1, James Harden at the 2 and Omer Asik at the 5. With a core group of young players, Houston should continue to make strides as the season progresses. And with the overall team improvement, look for Parsons’ numbers to go up across the board as he and his new teammates get more comfortable playing together.