Spurs at Pacers
Veteran guard Manu Ginobili was superb in his return from a brutal
injury and attempts to record another strong outing when the San Antonio
Spurs visit the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Ginobili scored a season-best
22 points in 15 minutes in Saturday's victory over the Sacramento Kings
after missing the previous 12 games due to testicular surgery.
Ginobili had been sidelined since taking a knee to the groin from New Orleans forward Ryan Anderson on Feb. 4, and he said he possesses no fear over aggravating the injury. "Not at all," Ginobili, who is wearing a protective cup, told reporters. "The area that is fragile is protected. So I've been testing it, playing in the (practice) facility. I'm not worried. I know I'm not going to play like this every game, but that is not going to be the issue that I'm hesitating or not confident." San Antonio has won its last eight games and has traditionally dominated the Pacers, winning 15 of the past 16 meetings. Indiana All-Star forward Paul George is averaging 36.5 points over the last two games, including 38 points in Saturday's 100-99 road victory over the Washington Wizards.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (San Antonio), FSN Indiana
ABOUT THE SPURS (53-9): San Antonio rolled to the victory over Sacramento despite being without All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (migraines) and center Tim Duncan and shooting guard Danny Green - the latter two held out to rest. Aldridge was on a three-game tear in which he averaged 25 points and 11.3 rebounds and the Spurs are hoping his headaches will subside and not be a problem down the stretch. All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard had 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists against the Kings and is averaging 27.8 points over the past five games.
ABOUT THE PACERS (33-30): Indiana came dangerously close to its fifth loss in six games before George made two three throws with three seconds left to provide the winning points against Washington. The Pacers' recent troubles have them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference playoff race and will keep them fighting to remain ahead of teams such as Chicago, Detroit and Washington. "We could be positioned a lot better than where we are," George told reporters. "Of the eight playoff teams ... I don't think we should be below the (top) four."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Spurs have been victorious in seven straight visits to Indiana, last losing 100-99 on April 1, 2007.
2. Pacers swingman C.J. Miles (calf) could return after an eight-game absence.
3. San Antonio is 23-9 on the road and has won nine of its last 10.