San Antonio's long wait for redemption.

This game on Saturday evening culminates a painful, seven month wait since the San Antonio Spurs were embarrassed by the Lakers in front of the entire country, while being swept out of the Western Conference Finals.

The Spurs and their fans have had this game marked on their calendar's since the schedules were released.

The Spurs, 27-10 after a 102-98 win over the Utah Jazz, have a lot to prove to a doubting NBA community that think San Antonio is soft and has no heart.

San Antonio has coasted along to second place in the Midwest Division, behind the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Tim Duncan is playing the best ball of his career, averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds a game.

Although David Robinson has looked old and has given way to Malik Rose as far as minutes are concerned, new additions like Charles Smith, Tony Parker, Stephen Jackson, and veteran guard Steve Smith have given the Spurs a much needed shot of athleticism and enthusiasm that they desperately needed.

Even though Shaq will be serving the final game of his suspension, the Spurs should have plenty of motivation to win this game.

Namely Kobe Bryant, who helped the Lakers defeat the Spurs last year without Shaq.

Kobe also is trying to prove to people that he is capable of leading the Lakers to victory without Shaq and would like nothing more than to do it against the Spurs on national television.

A win would give the Spurs back the confidence they lost last summer and might send them on to a long winning streak.

A loss would reinforce thoughts that they cannot beat the Lakers, and doom them to forever being the Lakers doormat.

I know we are not even halfway through the season and there are plenty of games to go but, if the Spurs don't win at least one of the two game against the Lakers they have coming up in the next week and a half, their season might come to an abrupt halt.