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Spurs should have Duncan tonight, Parker and Diaw questionable

Even though the Cats lost the last three matches with 29 points of difference, their current form and the situation with injuries for the Spurs should make for an interesting match tonight

After ending the two consecutive wins row with a defeat in Phoenix, Charlotte Bobcats finished the four away games tour against the Warriors who were, surprisingly, humiliated on their own court, so the tour was ended in a great way, with three wins and only one defeat.

- When we were leaving Charlotte, we thought this tour would either break us or help us turn things to our advantage. We felt this could be the breaking point of the season and we really seemed completely focused - Jefferson said. 

The Cats took control from the very beginning of the game, and they had 51-39 by the half-time. Even though the Warriors threatened a few times, Bobcats were ready each time, so they were even on +22 a few times in the rest of the match. 

While the Cats played very well, scored 47,4% of their shots, the key proved to be their great defense game where they limited the Warriors to an incredible 31,2% of shots.

- We played a very good defense in the pick-and-roll situations. We came out to them in a great way, because for them, a three pointer is like a lay-up - Jefferson commented, and coach Clifford felt the same: 

- We were great in the defense, organized, especially in the pick-and-roll game. I like how my team played, but listen, we're aware this wasn't Warriors' best image.

Jefferson was great for the Bobcats with 30 points (12/22) and 13 jumps, which made him the MVP of his team, but Henderson was also really good with 17 points /8/17), 8 jumps and 6 assists. We should also mention Walker coming back and scoring 7 points (3/11), 7 assists and 6 caught balls in 32 minutes he played. 

- I felt a bit tired in some moments, but I'm coming back slowly - said Walker.

After a successful west tour, the Bobcats will host Spurs tonight, and they don't have pretty memories against them in the last few years. The Cats lost the last three matches against them with 28 points of difference per game, but the current shape of the coach Clifford's team, and Spurs' injuries problems lead them to believe they can win tonight, in the battle for the play-offs. A lot will depend on Jefferson's game - he has 27,4 points per game in the last 12 matches. 

- We have some tough matches coming up. Still, we proved we can play against any team of the league, any night, so we'll see what the following 32 matches bring - coach Clifford announced. 

San Antonio Spurs are on the fourth station of their traditional "rodeo" tour where they'll visit 9 cities and cross about 9,300 miles. They started it on Monday when they celebrated in New Orleans, and two nights after that, it took them two overtimes to outplay the Wizards. That win cost them Tony Parker's injury (back), and they couldn't count on Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili from before, so coach Gregg Popovich decided to give Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw some rest, especially because Diaw had a food poisoning and was throwing up. 

Spurs faced the Nets without their starting five, basically, so the Nets used it and defeated them 103-89. The initial lead of the Texan team, 22-13, reminded of the Lakers vs. Cavs match, but the Nets came back quickly. They took the control over by the end of the third period, and didn't allow the Spurs to get even. 

- I know we didn't look nice. I'm more interested in the results than into how we looked. I think the boys played really well. I'm really proud at them, I think they did a great job. After the match with two overtimes the night before, we came here, and I think their effort was excellent - coach Popovich said and added: 

- I'm disappointed we didn't win. If we scored a few three pointers in the second half-time, it would've been a whole different story. 

It's interesting that the Spurs started with five players from different countries, and the most efficient one was Corey Joseph with 18 points, Danny Green scored one less, and Patty Mills had 16. 

- I'd really like it if some of the guys were healthy right now. It's always nice to play long, but at the same time, it'd be good if some of the players were healthy - said Green who played 71 minutes in the last two matches. 

Spurs should at least be able to count on Tim Duncan tonight, while Diaw and Parker are questionable. Lots of injuries harmed the Spurs' three pointers - they only scored 43 out of 146 attempts (29.4%), and that's significantly less than the season average (93,9%) that's made them the leading three pointers team of the league. 

It's obvious the Spurs haven't been at the right level for some time. The injuries of their important players are piling up which is ruining the rhythm of the almost perfect machine Gregg Popovich has assembled. Today they will be without Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard, while the "motor" of the team Tony Parker will probably be out as well as Pop said that he doesn't know when Parker would be back, which implies he might not be available. Out of last seven games, the Spurs have won only three and have not crushed a single team in any of the 3 teams (Wizards +7, Pelicans +7, Kings +2). The bookmakers are still pretty skeptical about the Bobcats and it seems Michael Jordan got a break. Bringing Jefferson is proving to be a good move more and more, and the play-offs certainly seem within reach. The Bobcats returned from the tour where they beat the Nuggets (101-98), Lakers (110-100) before being hit by the Suns (105-95), and then crushing the Warriors (91-75). Their form is obviously on the upswing and as they are better rested than the spurs, I believe they could even win tonight.