Game Blog: Spurs vs. Rockets - 11.14.2008

[Biggems]

why do these two teams seem to always play ugly ass games that end up 70 something to 70 in the last 3-4 years.

it is like a flippin miracle for one team to hit 90, much less both teams.

[xellos88330]

Maybe the Spurs still aren't the Spurs, but the Rockets still are the Rockets. :)

Nice!!! LOL!! :lol

[tp2021]

I'm 2-1 ... boo-ya bitches! Blogs are mine until I'm under .500 ...

+1

[Russ]

Thank God did not answer my prayer....

George Hill is the next coming of Tony Parker. Is it too early to celebrate the great draft?

Parker and Hill need to play together -- maybe Manu at the 3.

[Slippy]

A big win for the spurs. No doubt about the defense. It kept them in the game and Tim came up huge, with the game-saving block. Timed it to perfection.

In the context of the game , that was a massive 4th quarter comeback.

Job well done for an undermanned team. Go Spurs!!!

[timvp]

Damn, for a November win ... that's one of the biggest I remember.


F the Rockets :smokin

[Manufan909]

Um, I predicted a blowout loss. My third such prediction in a row.


You're welcome.

So that's where all your vbookie cash went. And tbh, I didn't expect a Spurs win, but I still believe in them.

[manubili]

What a choke !!! No Parker, no Ginobili... wow:toast

[itzsoweezee]

fourth quarter defense was amazing. i like the press

[td4mvp21]

I'm proud of my Spurs!!!!

[tmtcsc]

C'mon guys, they were shorthanded without Alston. Let's not get too excited.








I keed ! I keed ! :lol

That was a nice win after blowing it against the Bucks. Rockets seemed a little complacent and tired at the end.

[EvaLongoria]

Can you imagine now: a comeback with healthy Tony and Manu at the same time, and a smart trade for a athletic tall Center? I smell RING #5.

[Roxsfan]

Rockets deserved to lose that game. Fucking pathetic. Props to the spurs, never give up. :flag:

[bdictjames]

Ok gotcha.. we were lucky. :lol

[Spurs1234]

the defense won that, the spurs had like 6 or 7 straight defensive stops at the end, i will say Tmac's legs are gone as well, all his J's were short...anyways, this team defensively is back baby, and that is with teams shooting a very high percentage from the outside....can you imagine this team with parker and gino back, i think def. better than last year with hill and mason in addition....plus, they need to put bruce back in the lineup, i actually think he is better offensively than ukoka, kurt thomas is officially done, he looks like a corpse out there..

[MacGyver]

:blah :spins

Duncan block was the key to win!

Go :flag: Spurs

[tp2021]

I missed the entire game. What's this about a block by Timmy?

[tomtom]

man i'm so happy. shame on me for even doubting them lol. but in all honesty the early fourth quarter was absolutely atrocious. luckily we pushed it in the end. great game by hill and suprisingly bonner.

[Manufan909]

I'm 2-1 ... boo-ya bitches! Blogs are mine until I'm under .500 ...

I second this notion.

[Reck]

Just how did the spurs won this game?

Did the Rockets not score a single point in the 4th?

[alchemist]

Just how did the spurs won this game?

Did the Rockets not score a single point in the 4th?
the Spurs scored the last 12 or 13 points straight. :flag:

[Obstructed_View]

So that's where all your vbookie cash went.
:lol Yeah, I was doing pretty well, but I'd rather be broke and have the Spurs winning.

[pawe]

how many times did hill abuse yao on the drive? i like that kid!

[mVp]

I missed the entire game. What's this about a block by Timmy?

He blocked the HELL out of Brooks... he thought he had an easy layup... WRONG! Timmy was waiting for the kid :lol

[ShoogarBear]

I thought Brooks had an easy layup, too. WTH happened to Bowen?

[SpursDynasty]

Good win tonight for the Spurs, but this win is nothing to get excited about. Houston is usually a team we're expected to just go out and beat. Nothing surprising about tonight's result. It should have been by more than 2 points but we'll take the W.

[Biggems]

BTW, Mavs lost tonight also

[MacGyver]

Wow, TMac shot 2-12, finished with 7 pts! I had no clue! Obviously nice defensive job on him!

[Obstructed_View]

The Spurs went through a LONG stretch in the third and fourth quarters where they took entirely too many jumpers, and they weren't jumpers off the pass, they were off the dribble or just from guys standing there and taking them. I don't care how talented your players are, shot selection like that is going to grind your offense to a halt. In addition, there was entirely too much standing around by people that didn't have the ball. Again, it has nothing to do with your talent level. Once they started going toward the rim and moving without the ball their shots began to fall. Amazing how that happens. If they'd do that for the entire game they'll be leading the division in the next week or so.

[outmap]

And Dallas loses!

[MacGyver]

Good win tonight for the Spurs, but this win is nothing to get excited about. Houston is usually a team we're expected to just go out and beat. Nothing surprising about tonight's result. It should have been by more than 2 points but we'll take the W.


:lol:downspin:

Dead on.

[Obstructed_View]

Wow, TMac shot 2-12, finished with 7 pts! I had no clue! Obviously nice defensive job on him!

As much as I wish I could give the guys credit for the defense, Tracy had a bad night.

[Manufan909]

:lol Yeah, I was doing pretty well, but I'd rather be broke and have the Spurs winning.

I give you props, I didn't even bet this game. I won everything durng the Knicks bet, but didn't see the Bucks bookie.

And I know Bonner can play like this every game, he should try to be more consistent. But not playing Tolliver after he stole and dunk was straight retarded.

[ShoogarBear]

T-Mac looked like crap out there. Is something wrong with him?

[ShoogarBear]

And Dallas loses!

Damn, they choked even worse than the Rockheads.

[Ice009]

I wanted Hill to be more aggressive driving to the rack in the Milwaukee game and he didn't and we lost.

Tonight he drove to the rack and we won. We need someone to penetrate and someone to also hit shots.

Can't just stand around playing stagnant and taking jumpers all the time.

This win should also show all the new guys on the team that if you play defense you give yourself a chance to win. This is a great game for Pop to prove his point.

Great game from Tim and George.

[Biggems]

Good win tonight for the Spurs, but this win is nothing to get excited about. Houston is usually a team we're expected to just go out and beat. Nothing surprising about tonight's result. It should have been by more than 2 points but we'll take the W.

minus Parker and Manu makes this an impressive win. Had those two been playing, maybe we can say this was a disappointing outing. However, these new additions are trying to still figure stuff out...

BTW.........that is a nice name for the new youth movement on the Spurs..........remember there were 5 members at first

NEW ADDITION
Hill
Mason
Tolliver
Farmer
Mahimni

[SenorSpur]

T-Mac looked like crap out there. Is something wrong with him?

I don't believe he's gotten untracked thus far this season. The Rockets broadcasters stated that he's go no lift. Don't know if it's due to injury or extensive mileage. He also looked a little heavy to me. He didn't play at all in the preseason. Could be outta shape.

[pawe]

...and utah also lost tonight. wth is wrong with the west? guess its still early in the season huh.

[SenorSpur]

I wanted Hill to be more aggressive driving to the rack in the Milwaukee game and he didn't and we lost.

Tonight he drove to the rack and we won. We need someone to penetrate and someone to also hit shots.

Can't just stand around playing stagnant and taking jumpers all the time.

This win should also show all the new guys on the team that if you play defense you give yourself a chance to win. This is a great game for Pop to prove his point.

Great game from Tim and George.

Hill was absolutely BIG TIME! Very aggressive and it paid off.

[duncan228]

I missed the entire game. What's this about a block by Timmy?

It was wonderful. Looking for a pic but that won't do it justice. :)

[timvp]

T-Mac looked like crap out there. Is something wrong with him?

He has that child molester beard going, that can't help. Plus he had Mason in his jersey all night. Mason impressed me with his ability to challenge TMac's jumper. Not many players are able to do that.

[SenorSpur]

Great win for the Spurs tonight. Very proud of the comeback effort.

Tim's last minute block on Brooks was HUGE. For that key play, I'm even going to forgive him for being such a passive wuss on the glass tonight.

[Biggems]

Mad Props to the Condor for one heckuva game tonight...........keep it up George

[Spurtacus]

Believe.

[Manufan909]

No, he's the mini-Plastic Man!!!

[SpurAddict561]

Good win tonight for the Spurs, but this win is nothing to get excited about. Houston is usually a team we're expected to just go out and beat. Nothing surprising about tonight's result. It should have been by more than 2 points but we'll take the W.

a team we're "expected" to beat with TWO of our top THREE players injured?

what the hell are you smoking?

[cool hand]

this was a sucker bet game......everthing on the rockets and the spurs win.

[tomtom]

...and utah also lost tonight. wth is wrong with the west? guess its still early in the season huh.

to be fair they were without williams and okur

[peskypesky]

T-Mac looked like crap out there. Is something wrong with him?

One word: Shaq

He shoved T-Mac in the back during that scrum on Wednesday. Asshole move considering that everyone knows TMac has a bad back.

[mVp]

He has that child molester beard going, that can't help. Plus he had Mason in his jersey all night. Mason impressed me with his ability to challenge TMac's jumper. Not many players are able to do that.

True. Sometimes I thought he was gonna get called for a foul, 'cause he was so damn close to T-Mac, he played a really good D on him.

[Ice009]

I forgot to give props to Bonner too. I've never had to do it before so excuse me for forgetting about his game tonight.

[Obstructed_View]

He has that child molester beard going, that can't help.
:lol


Plus he had Mason in his jersey all night. Mason impressed me with his ability to challenge TMac's jumper. Not many players are able to do that.
I don't know if Tmac at 100 percent wouldn't have gone off anyway, but Mase deserves credit for working really hard, and you certainly can't argue with the results. He ended up having to defend Artest a couple of times too and I thought he did pretty well. You don't have to keep a guy from scoring in order to play good defense; sometimes you just have to make him work for his points.

[Roxsfan]

I don't believe he's gotten untracked thus far this season. The Rockets broadcasters stated that he's go no lift. Don't know if it's due to injury or extensive mileage. He also looked a little heavy to me. He didn't play at all in the preseason. Could be outta shape.

offseason shoulder and knee surgery plus no playing time in the preseason, out of shape, lots of mileage etc.

good win.:ihit

[duncan228]

It was wonderful. Looking for a pic but that won't do it justice. :)

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/2008-2009/11-14-08block.jpg

[peskypesky]

Spurs won, Celtics lost, Mavs lost....now if Detroit can just continue to dominate LA, it will be a perfect night of b-ball.

[Indazone]

T-Mac 2-12 shooting. Brooks 6-17 shooting

T-Mac you sucked @ss
Brooks still not ready for prime time.

Hate to admit it but we needed Alston.

[Spurs Brazil]

Final: Spurs 77, Rockets 75
Tim Duncan had a dominating defensive effort down the stretch as he seemingly willed the Spurs to a come-from-behind 77-75 victory over the Houston Rockets. The Spurs never led in the second half until the final minute of the game.

Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points and scored the go-ahead basket with 59.7 seconds left in the game. He finished 8 of 15 from the field and had five rebounds.

Duncan's effort, however, went far beyond that. His aggressiveness at the defensive end helped the Spurs get back in the game after they went through long stretches when they struggled on offense. He spent the fourth quarter double-teaming and taking away the Rockets' drives at the same time he was wrestling inside with 7-foot-6, 310-pound Yao Ming.

The Rockets' Aaron Brooks drove in for a potential go-ahead shot with time running out and the Spurs leading by one. Duncan blocked the shot and the Spurs got the ball back with less than two seconds left. The Spurs' Roger Mason made one of two free throws with 1.8 seconds left. The Rockets' Ron Artest missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

George Hill had 17 points and five assists for the Spurs. Matt Bonner had 11 points including two 3-pointers in the last 4:20 of the game.

The Spurs managed to slow the Rockets' Tracy McGrady, who entered the game averaging 17.8 points. He finished with seven points on 2-of-12 shooting.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Spurs are getting defensive stops and starting to score. The Rockets lead is down to 75-70 with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Roger Mason Jr. and Michael Finley gave the Spurs a boost. The Rockets still lead 73-63 with 6:00 left in the game.

The Spurs are in another offensive slump. It's been almost 10 minutes of game time since any Spur other than Tim Duncan has made a basket. The Rockets lead 66-56 with 9:24 left in the game.

THIRD QUARTER

The Rockets finished the third quarter with a 62-55 lead despite McGrady being held to only seven points. Duncan has 18 points, but the Spurs scored only 15 points in the third quarter.

The Spurs are playing respectable defense the second half. The Rockets, who shot 51 percent the first half, made only 7 of 21 (33 percent) to start the second half. The Rockets still lead 60-53. Artest had nine points the first nine minutes of the third quarter.

Artest had two baskets early in the second half. The Spurs balanced that with a basket from Hill and a pair of free throws by Duncan. A Luis Scola basket gave the Rockets a 50-44 lead.

SECOND QUARTER

Yao had 11 points, including seven in the last 3:18 of the second quarter, to pace the Rockets to a 43-40 halftime lead. Duncan led the Spurs with 12 points.

Duncan and Hill are doing their best to keep the Spurs close. They have eight points each and the Rockets lead 33-31 with 3:47 left in the quarter.

The gap between Spurs baskets ended up being 6 minutes, 18 seconds. Duncan, who was on the bench for much of that time, hit a basket with 8:17 left in the second quarter. The Rockets took advantage to build a lead of as many as six points. The Rockets lead 29-27 with 5:20 left in the half.

The Spurs have gone into an offensive cold spell. Their last basket came on a Kurt Thomas jumper with 2:35 left in the first quarter. They are now three minutes into the second quarter.

FIRST QUARTER

Duncan went to the bench with 2:03 left in the first quarter. The Spurs didn't make a basket the rest of the period. The Rockets finished the quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 23-21 lead.

Hill had two of the Spurs' first three baskets. The Rockets didn't score their first five possession before they warmed up on a jumper and 3-pointer from Brooks, the smallest guy on the floor. It's 9-9 at the first timeout.

PREGAME

Considering it's Spurs vs. Rockets, there's a whole lot of empty seats in the AT&T Center at tipoff time. Maybe it will fill up soon. There reportedly was some bad traffic in parts of San Antonio.

Spurs starters: The Spurs are going with the same starters as the last two games: George Hill, Roger Mason Jr., Ime Udoka, Tim Duncan and Fabricio Oberto.

The Spurs continue to struggle heading into tonight's meeting with their old rivals the Houston Rockets.

The Spurs continue to be without Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The Rockets will be one player short with guard Rafer Alson sidelined by an NBA suspension. See Jeff McDonald's blog for details.

The Rockets lead the Southwest Division with a 5-3 record. The Spurs are 2-5 on the season and only 1-3 at home. The Spurs are giving up 98.1 points per game are being outrebounded an average of 42.7-40.4. Last season the Spurs gave up 90.6 points per game and finished the season with a slight rebounding edge over their opponents during the regular season.

- Joe Alexander, MySanAntonio.com

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/spursworld/2008/11/gameday_spurs_vs_rockets.html

[duncan228]

Final: Spurs 77, Rockets 75 (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/spursworld/2008/11/gameday_spurs_vs_rockets.html)

Tim Duncan had a dominating defensive effort down the stretch as he seemingly willed the Spurs to a come-from-behind 77-75 victory over the Houston Rockets. :smokin The Spurs never led in the second half until the final minute of the game.

Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points and scored the go-ahead basket with 59.7 seconds left in the game. He finished 8 of 15 from the field and had five rebounds.

Duncan's effort, however, went far beyond that. His aggressiveness at the defensive end helped the Spurs get back in the game after they went through long stretches when they struggled on offense. He spent the fourth quarter double-teaming and taking away the Rockets' drives at the same time he was wrestling inside with 7-foot-6, 310-pound Yao Ming.

The Rockets' Aaron Brooks drove in for a potential go-ahead shot with time running out and the Spurs leading by one. Duncan blocked the shot and the Spurs got the ball back with less than two seconds left. The Spurs' Roger Mason made one of two free throws with 1.8 seconds left. The Rockets' Ron Artest missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

George Hill had 17 points and five assists for the Spurs. Matt Bonner had 11 points including two 3-pointers in the last 4:20 of the game.

The Spurs managed to slow the Rockets' Tracy McGrady, who entered the game averaging 17.8 points. He finished with seven points on 2-of-12 shooting.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Spurs are getting defensive stops and starting to score. The Rockets lead is down to 75-70 with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Roger Mason Jr. and Michael Finley gave the Spurs a boost. The Rockets still lead 73-63 with 6:00 left in the game.

The Spurs are in another offensive slump. It's been almost 10 minutes of game time since any Spur other than Tim Duncan has made a basket. The Rockets lead 66-56 with 9:24 left in the game.

THIRD QUARTER

The Rockets finished the third quarter with a 62-55 lead despite McGrady being held to only seven points. Duncan has 18 points, but the Spurs scored only 15 points in the third quarter.

The Spurs are playing respectable defense the second half. The Rockets, who shot 51 percent the first half, made only 7 of 21 (33 percent) to start the second half. The Rockets still lead 60-53. Artest had nine points the first nine minutes of the third quarter.

Artest had two baskets early in the second half. The Spurs balanced that with a basket from Hill and a pair of free throws by Duncan. A Luis Scola basket gave the Rockets a 50-44 lead.

SECOND QUARTER

Yao had 11 points, including seven in the last 3:18 of the second quarter, to pace the Rockets to a 43-40 halftime lead. Duncan led the Spurs with 12 points.

Duncan and Hill are doing their best to keep the Spurs close. They have eight points each and the Rockets lead 33-31 with 3:47 left in the quarter.

The gap between Spurs baskets ended up being 6 minutes, 18 seconds. Duncan, who was on the bench for much of that time, hit a basket with 8:17 left in the second quarter. The Rockets took advantage to build a lead of as many as six points. The Rockets lead 29-27 with 5:20 left in the half.

The Spurs have gone into an offensive cold spell. Their last basket came on a Kurt Thomas jumper with 2:35 left in the first quarter. They are now three minutes into the second quarter.

FIRST QUARTER

Duncan went to the bench with 2:03 left in the first quarter. The Spurs didn't make a basket the rest of the period. The Rockets finished the quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 23-21 lead.

Hill had two of the Spurs' first three baskets. The Rockets didn't score their first five possession before they warmed up on a jumper and 3-pointer from Brooks, the smallest guy on the floor. It's 9-9 at the first timeout.

PREGAME

Considering it's Spurs vs. Rockets, there's a whole lot of empty seats in the AT&T Center at tipoff time. Maybe it will fill up soon. There reportedly was some bad traffic in parts of San Antonio.

Spurs starters: The Spurs are going with the same starters as the last two games: George Hill, Roger Mason Jr., Ime Udoka, Tim Duncan and Fabricio Oberto.

The Spurs continue to struggle heading into tonight's meeting with their old rivals the Houston Rockets.

The Spurs continue to be without Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The Rockets will be one player short with guard Rafer Alson sidelined by an NBA suspension. See Jeff McDonald's blog for details.

The Rockets lead the Southwest Division with a 5-3 record. The Spurs are 2-5 on the season and only 1-3 at home. The Spurs are giving up 98.1 points per game are being outrebounded an average of 42.7-40.4. Last season the Spurs gave up 90.6 points per game and finished the season with a slight rebounding edge over their opponents during the regular season.

- Joe Alexander, MySanAntonio.com

[HarlemHeat37]

Mason played great D on Mac, but McGrady is injured, and honestly, he just isn't that great of a player anymore..he still has terrible shot selection, but the difference now is that his shot just isn't that good anymore..

he still has good driving ability, but he just can't take the abuse anymore with his history of injuries..

[peskypesky]

He has that child molester beard going, that can't help.

It's not a child molester beard...it's a Bob McAdoo. :bang

[pawe]

spurs pulled a rope a dope against the rox! hill looked good with the almost tp like play tonight.

[Manufan909]

Spurs won, Celtics lost, Mavs lost....now if Detroit can just continue to dominate LA, it will be a perfect night of b-ball.

Ha, that reminds me how I'm going for the Lakers, unless they're playing the east. As long as everyone ahead of the Spurs in the standings lose their games, except the ones out of reach(Lakers, Hornets, etc.).

[SenorSpur]

I'm amazed that McGrady, as rusty as he seemed, was still hell-bent on taking the last couple of shots - as opposed to setting up other teammates who were clearly playing better than he was.

[pawe]

I'm amazed that McGrady, as rusty as he seemed, was still hell-bent on taking the last couple of shots - as opposed to setting up other teammates who were clearly playing better than he was.

and tmac usually gets up for the spurs...good thing he sucked tonight

[ploto]

No matter who suits up and no matter when or where it is played, you can always count on a Spurs Rockets game to be close.

[Obstructed_View]

No matter who suits up and no matter when or where it is played, you can always count on a Spurs Rockets game to be close.

...and almost always low scoring.

[HarlemHeat37]

I've been frustrated with watching McGrady the past few games..he's actually still REALLY good at setting up plays for his teammates off the drive, the problem is his lack of driving to the net..

[HarlemHeat37]

...and almost always low scoring.

neither team scoring in triple-digits for 24 games until last year(?) is just disgusting..but I like defensive basketball, so can't complain..

[bigfan]

I live in Dallas and my 81 y/o Dad my lives in SA and we are both big Spurs fans. He'll usually call me after each victory or if the Spurs are way behind he'll call me around the end of third quarter and say "well, sh---t, this just aint gonna happen tonight" or something similar. Tonight, guess the Spurs were down 12 points or so near the end and he called and told me he was "turning the damn thing off". Anyway, I got online a few minutes ago and saw we had pulled one out and woke up my Dad to tell him the news, man he was floored! I love these kind of wins! Way to go Timmy and new guy Hill!

[TDMVPDPOY]

I live in Dallas and my 81 y/o Dad my lives in SA and we are both big Spurs fans. He'll usually call me after each victory or if the Spurs are way behind he'll call me around the end of third quarter and say "well, sh---t, this just aint gonna happen tonight" or something similar. Tonight, guess the Spurs were down 12 points or so near the end and he called and told me he was "turning the damn thing off". Anyway, I got online a few minutes ago and saw we had pulled one out and woke up my Dad to tell him the news, man he was floored! I love these kind of wins! Way to go Timmy and new guy Hill!

have u ever thought of diverting the call back to his cellphone? :D:D so he can boast to himself then giving you twable.

[byrdman31]

just got back from the game! amazing atmosphere, great game, great win.... also saw a bunch of the clutchfans.net guys out there,, it was fun to rub it in there face after they were yelling, cheering the whole game!

[Obstructed_View]

neither team scoring in triple-digits for 24 games until last year(?) is just disgusting..but I like defensive basketball, so can't complain..

Man, I remember games from years ago where neither team could buy a shot. It had NOTHING to do with defense, it was just that both teams would come out flat and not be able to put the ball in the basket. They could run up and down the court, missing layups and dribbling the ball off their foot. It's spanned players, coaches, team philosophies...really a strange dynamic between the teams.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

T-Mac looked like crap out there. Is something wrong with him?

Fucking League Pass gave me rockets FSN announcers for some reason, and they kept saying all game how he is just not the same player anymore. How he had no lift and was relegated to being a second option behind that youngin from Oregon that was torching us.

[benefactor]

It wasn't pretty...but very few wins at this time will be. The defensive effort continues and players are stepping up in the right areas. Hill gave us an aggressive scoring lift and seemed to score right at the moments we needed it. But the stat of the night for me....Hill and Mason combine for 15 boards. That was the difference between winning and losing.

[Roxsfan]

I live in Dallas and my 81 y/o Dad my lives in SA and we are both big Spurs fans. He'll usually call me after each victory or if the Spurs are way behind he'll call me around the end of third quarter and say "well, sh---t, this just aint gonna happen tonight" or something similar. Tonight, guess the Spurs were down 12 points or so near the end and he called and told me he was "turning the damn thing off". Anyway, I got online a few minutes ago and saw we had pulled one out and woke up my Dad to tell him the news, man he was floored! I love these kind of wins! Way to go Timmy and new guy Hill!

thats cool--here's to your pops:toast

[Indazone]

Fucking League Pass gave me rockets FSN announcers for some reason, and they kept saying all game how he is just not the same player anymore. How he had no lift and was relegated to being a second option behind that youngin from Oregon that was torching us.

I hardly call 6/17 shooting torching you.

[Manufan909]

Can't wait to read timvp's recap, I want to know Pop's reasoning behind taking out Toll, seemingly right after he stole and dunked. I know Bonner did well, but I still can't fathom why.

[ducks]

I want to know Pop's reasoning behind taking out Toll, seemingly right after he stole and dunked.







ducks wants to know why to

[ShoogarBear]

I live in Dallas and my 81 y/o Dad my lives in SA and we are both big Spurs fans. He'll usually call me after each victory or if the Spurs are way behind he'll call me around the end of third quarter and say "well, sh---t, this just aint gonna happen tonight" or something similar. Tonight, guess the Spurs were down 12 points or so near the end and he called and told me he was "turning the damn thing off". Anyway, I got online a few minutes ago and saw we had pulled one out and woke up my Dad to tell him the news, man he was floored! I love these kind of wins! Way to go Timmy and new guy Hill!

Dude, your dad is 81. You gotta be careful about that kind of stuff. :lol

[duncan228]

Late surge propels Spurs past Rockets (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Late_surge_propels_Spurs_past_Rockets.html)
By Mike Monroe

Ordinarily, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich deplores his team’s perceived advantage when an opponent is playing short-handed.

Backup players motivated by opportunity, he reasons, often are more dangerous than starters battling boredom.

But in a young 2008-09 season that has robbed him of two-thirds of his team’s Big Three scoring cadre, Popovich figured he could make an exception to his rule. He learned that Rafer Alston, the Houston Rockets’ starting point guard, had been suspended and would miss Friday’s game at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs took advantage and beat the Rockets 77-75 in a dramatic comeback victory that moved the Spurs to 3-5 on the season.

Outscoring the Rockets 12-0 in the final 4:20 of the game, the Spurs scored what easily ranks as their biggest victory of the season, over the team that came into the game with the best record in the Southwest Division.

Down by 14 with 7:34 remaining, the Spurs outscored the Rockets 21-5 the rest of the rest of the way.

Tim Duncan’s running hook shot with 59.7 seconds left gave the Spurs their first lead of the second half. Roger Mason made one of two foul shots with 1.8 seconds left.

Houston’s Ron Artest missed a 3-point shot just before the final buzzer. When it skidded off the back rim, the Spurs raced off the court with a huge win.

“That sort of evens it up a little bit in some ways, I guess,” Popovich said before tipoff of Alston’s suspension, “but I just want to play well, no matter who is out on the court. We want to play a certain way for 48 minutes, and we’ve had trouble doing that.”

The Spurs had no trouble ratcheting up the defense against the Rockets. For the third straight game, they held their opponent to fewer than 83 points.

The Spurs’ offense has been their undoing recently, and it almost was again Friday. In the final 7:20 of the third period they scored only four points.

[Quiet Strength]

In the final 7:20 of the third period they scored only four points.

ouch

[ShoogarBear]

The last seven minutes of the third and first six minutes of the fourth was some of the most pitiful offensive basketball in Spurs history. Which is saying something.

Good thing the Rockets helped themselves to some of it, too.

[DaDakota]

Boy was I wrong, who knew that brining in Tmac and taking the ball away from Aaron Brooks would halt all scoring?

Nice job by the Spurs players outhustling and outplaying my team.

TStink must have gotten some bad river water, he was horrible.....wanna trade him for Ginobli?

:D

DD

[Budkin]

I have a feeling the Spurs will win tonight... seems improbable but I think you'll see a lot of heart and hustle.

Guess that feeling I had was right on the money. :lol

[Budkin]

Spurs 74
Rockets 73

Wow... good call here.

[Manu-of-steel]

As much as I wish I could give the guys credit for the defense, Tracy had a bad night.

it may have something to do with the defense of mason. give the guy a credit.

[Obstructed_View]

The last seven minutes of the third and first six minutes of the fourth was some of the most pitiful offensive basketball in Spurs history. Which is saying something.

Good thing the Rockets helped themselves to some of it, too.

Felt like the Spurs just stopped going to the rim for their drought, and the Rockets just got denied during theirs. I'll have to go back and watch again to know for sure, but I seem to remember counting 13 jump shots with no pass before it during that sequence; I think the Spurs hit the first two and one by Duncan a few minutes later.

[tomtom]

And lakers lose to make it an even sweeter night but sadly kings lose to suns by 2

[Budkin]

George Hill was playing out of his mind... I'm really enjoying watching him play!

[Manu-of-steel]

Can't wait to read timvp's recap, I want to know Pop's reasoning behind taking out Toll, seemingly right after he stole and dunked. I know Bonner did well, but I still can't fathom why.

i think it's because of the successive offensive rebounds by landry and hayes. rockets had 4 offensive rebounds in 4 possessions. but looking back, it's a good thing pop stuck with bonner, who responded with a big 3 when the game was on the line.

[Obstructed_View]

i think it's because of the successive offensive rebounds by landry and hayes. rockets had 4 offensive rebounds in 4 possessions. but looking back, it's a good thing pop stuck with bonner, who responded with a big 3 when the game was on the line.

What's funny is that when Bonner came into the game, the guy that he was defending scored like four or five times in a row, and it was a different guy every time IIRC. Bonner didn't play bad defense, the guys just made baskets. To his credit, Bonner didn't get down about it and never looked back at Pop. He just kept playing. Even after that horrible foul call against him, he just kept hustling and playing his game, and he was ready when the team needed him to hit a shot.

[Manufan909]

What does IIRC mean???

[duncan228]

What does IIRC mean???

If I Recall (or remember) Correctly

[Obstructed_View]

it may have something to do with the defense of mason. give the guy a credit.

Experience should tell any knowledgable NBA fan that Tracy McGrady is one of the most difficult people to defend in NBA history, and any Spurs fan should know how dangerous he is. He's close to unstoppable when his game is on. I've given Mason credit for the effort, but I'm pretty sure that there's something wrong with the guy or the Spurs just caught him on a bad night. Seriously, if someone giving up four inches to TMac can shut him down like that, I don't thnk I've ever seen it.

There will be more opportunities this year to find out if it was a fluke. I assure you that TMac won't forget. If you don't mind, I'll hold off dubbing Roger "The Tracy Stopper"© until he does it another time or two.

[BlackSwordsMan]

Wow spurs won D=

[Magic_Johnson]

Wow... good call here.

:toast