Bobcats at Spurs
THE STORY: San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has shown an affinity for giving his key players plenty of rest over the course of a season. He may get a chance to do exactly that Friday night as his Spurs welcome the last-place Charlotte Bobcats to town. The Spurs opened a seven-game homestand on a sour note Wednesday night, dropping a 96-89 decision to the Chicago Bulls. The Bobcats may provide the perfect opportunity for a rebound, having lost 19 of their last 20 games and owning a dismal 2-17 road record so far this season.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (4-29): Charlotte's defense has been a major problem all season long, but the Bobcats have been particularly generous over their most recent three-game losing skid. Opponents are averaging better than 106 points per game over that span, while two opponents - Indiana and Detroit - both shot 50 percent from the field in their respective victories. The Bobcats have been eviscerated on the boards during the streak, posting a minus-53 rebound differential while allowing nearly 56 per game.
ABOUT THE SPURS (24-11): San Antonio has traditionally been difficult to beat during its longer homestands, having gone 7-0 and 6-1 during its previous two seven-game stints. But the Spurs seemed to tire against the powerhouse Bulls, sending them to just their second home defeat of the season. "Down the stretch, Chicago showed why they've won all those games," Popovich said. "They made shots and were real solid defensively." The loss dropped San Antonio to 2-17 in games in which it has lead after three quarters.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. San Antonio has won eight of the last nine meetings, including both encounters last season.
2. Spurs G Manu Ginobili (strained oblique) took part in a light practice Tuesday but isn't ready to return to the lineup.
3. Bobcats rookie C Bismack Biyombo is considered day-to-day after suffering a shoulder strain in Wednesday's loss to Detroit. His status for Friday remains unclear.