5 things to watch: Spurs vs. Bobcats
The San Antonio Spurs (36-11) get back on the court tonight as they will host the Charlotte Bobcats (11-33) for the final meeting this season with 
Tim Duncan still questionable for tonight's game. However, the team will welcome back coach Gregg Popovich who has been out battling the flu.
The Spurs won the first meeting 132-102 on Dec. 8 in Charlotte. The Spurs set an NBA single-game high dishing out 38 assists team and a team season-high connecting on 50 field goals, including 19 three pointers (second most in franchise history) versus the Bobcats. Tony Parker led the team with 23 points and 9 assists.
The Spurs are coming off a 108-99 win over the Suns in San Antonio. Parker finished with 31 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals while Mani Ginobili added 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals off the bench.
The Bobcats are coming off a 85-93 loss to the Bulls in Chicago. Kemba Walker scored 18 points, 6 assists and grabbed 4 rebounds.
And as the Spurs look to continue their dominance at the AT&T Center and go for their 17th win in a row, here are five things to watch for during the contest:
• Spurs' Parker is now one of two point guards in the NBA (Russell Westbrook) to be averaging at least 20.0 points and 7.0 assists.
Would like to see Baynes get some meaningful minutes... see how he looks out there. He doesn't have to learn the system from scratch like most new players do.
@Ironwill71 He'll play tonight with Duncan, Bonner and Blair out of the lineup with injuries. It's understandable to want to see Baynes out on the court. But remember it takes time to get adjusted to something you aren't used to. He may be familiar with some of the plays, but simple mistakes like turning the ball over with the game on the line sure won't help your team it will only hurt them. Blair, Bonner and Diaw are all familiar with the NBA, Players in the NBA and most of all the Spurs system. Baynes with time can get there, but he is not there yet. He has much too learn.
@Ironwill71 Baynes actually doesn't have too much to learn. Brett brown was the Australian national team coach and their system incorporated alot of spurs plays. Kind of like Dias when he got traded here, he knew a good deal of the spurs system from playing on the French national team. A he needed was to develop chemistry amongst the team. This is Baynes' issue. He knows a good deal of the spurs system, just needs to develop that chemistry so he can execute well.
@ajd21 Diaw actually played in the NBA compared to Baynes. He was already familiar with the NBA and the Spurs from the rivalry between the Spurs and the Suns and he already had chemistry with Parker as they are long time friends. For Baynes it's different as he will have to transition to the NBA style much like Splitter. Baynes has a lot too learn, don't fool yourself. Did you not see his mistake in his NBA debut against the Mavs? Baynes might be familiar with Brett Brown and the Spurs plays he incorporated on the Australian national team, but let's not forget those are just plays. He not only has to get the plays down, develop team chemistry, improve his game, study tape on players he'll have to match up against, but also play against those players he is not used to playing against. Chemistry is not Baynes only issue.
