Podcast Notes by Eric Caturia (@ETCat30) and Kyle McKeown (@RotoWireKyleNBA).
Before we get too deep into all the specifics of the games, we're going to go through some key items that you . . .
Need to know:
Manu Ginobili (back spasms) sat out a second straight game Thursday, but the Spurs expect him to play Saturday against the Jazz.
Andrew Bogut (ankle) will not play in the second game of back-to-backs during the early part of the season. The Warriors play Friday and Saturday. Bogut will play Friday and sit out Saturday. Rookie center Festus Ezeli will make a spot start at center Saturday, and he or Carl Landry could be a great grab in daily leagues Saturday.
Steve Nash (leg contusion) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Clippers.
Steve Blake will start in Nash's place if Nash can't play.
Kobe Bryant (foot) sat out Thursday's practice but plans on playing Friday.
Danilo Gallinari (ankle) worked out Thursday, but he won't know until after Friday morning's shootaround if he'll be able to play Friday in Orlando.
Deron Williams has bone spurs in his left ankle, but the Nets believe this is a manageable concern that won't be a long-term issue.
Eric Gordon didn't give us the definitive news we were hoping to receive. He did reveal that he suffered a setback prior to training camp, has undergone several MRIs, and has some damage in his knee. What we're expecting to learn this weekend is the severity of his knee issues and how long he'll be out.
J.R. Smith has been practicing for nearly a week, but there hasn't been a definitive statement from the Knicks as to whether the Achilles injury that sidelined him for the second half of the preseason is still an issue. Hopefully we find out during Friday's shootaround if he's going to play or sit.
Luke Ridnour (back spasms/herniated disk) is expected to play Friday.
Thursday's Games
Thunder vs Spurs
Parker hit a game-tying three-pointer with 24 seconds left Thursday, before knocking down a game-winner from the perimeter as time expired, en route to 14 points (6-13 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and 11 assists in 35 minutes during San Antonio's win over Oklahoma City. He added three rebounds, while committing just one turnover on the night.
Duncan just missed his second consecutive double-double Thursday to start the season, posting 20 points (8-19 FG, 4-6 FT) and eight rebounds in 34 minutes, in San Antonio's win versus Oklahoma City. He also swatted three shots and notched an assist to round out his stat line. The outing marked his second game in a row with three blocks.
After averaging just 28 minutes per game the last two seasons, it's a little surprising to see Duncan getting 34 minutes on both nights of a back-to-back. It's probably something to do with it being early in the season and that both games were on a national platform.
Green scored 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 0-0 FT) to go with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 35 minutes Thursday.
Leonard posted six points (2-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five steals, four rebounds, and an assist in 32 minutes during San Antonio's victory Thursday over Oklahoma City. This marked the second consecutive contest with five steals, which is freaking ridiculous!
Durant was a monster Thursday, tallying 23 points, 14 boards, five assists (versus four turnovers), and two steals in 41 minutes, as Oklahoma City fell at the horn to San Antonio. He hit 9-of-18 from the field, including one from three-point range, and 4-of-5 at the free-throw line.
Westbrook struggled from the floor Thursday, hitting just 6-of-21 shots, including 0-for-3 from three-point land, and 6-of-8 from the foul line, en route to 18 points in 37 minutes as Oklahoma City lost at San Antonio. He also notched eight rebounds and five dimes, versus six turnovers, as the offense stagnated at times.
Martin came off the bench Thursday to pour in 15 points (4-10 FG, 4-4 FT) with three treys in 33 minutes in Oklahoma City's defeat in San Antonio. He also had five assists, two rebounds, and one steal on the evening.
Ibaka scored four points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-0 FT) to go with nine rebounds and two blocks in 31 minutes Thursday.
News, Injuries, and Other Junk
Patrick Patterson (strained left quad) returned to practice Thursday and could start at power forward Friday against the Hawks.
The Charlotte Bobcats came out and said they are going to run about an 11-man rotation. This is going to thin out the minutes and make players marginalized in fantasy.
Troy Murphy was signed to a one-year deal by the Mavs on Thursday. In his last two seasons, Murphy has struggled to get more than 16 minutes per game, and averaged only 3.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.5 three-pointers.
Marcus Camby (calf) said he feels ready and hopes to play in the Knicks' opener Friday.
John Henson, rookie power forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, (knee) has been upgraded to questionable for Friday's opener. Even if he plays, it's unlikely he'd play a lot of minutes.
Gustavo Ayon is wearing a splint over his thumb, and other than running, he's been restricted from participating in basketball activities. It appears he'll eclipse his two week projection of being out with the sprained thumb injury.
Kevin Seraphin returned to practice Thursday, and he hopes to play Saturday. He's been sidelined since Oct. 14 with a calf strain.
Chris Kaman (calf) hopes to practice Friday and play in Saturday's game, but it's not a certainty, yet.
John Salmons has returned to the Kings after being away to attend the birth of his child.
Moe Harkless was sidelined all of the preseason after undergoing surgery to repair sports hernia, but he is questionable to play in Friday's season opener. I think there's a very real chance that he steals the starting small forward job from Hedo Turkoglu at some point this season, so he's an interesting guy to watch. We were originally expecting him to miss the first couple weeks of the season, so this early return is great news.
Today's Lesson:
Don't fudge with mother nature.