Game Blog: Spurs vs. Rockets - 11.29.2008

[alchemist]

By the way, any more info on Ginobili? He went to block Battier and came up limping.

[ducks]

I think Tony's best year was 2006 at the line. i just think he goes back to missing free throws every now and again. He was doing the same early last season and then got his free throws going in the second half of the season.

He's more consistent game to game, but he still has games where he misses ones he shouldn't at the line.
he shoots better then duncan at the line
and his jumpshot is much improved

a player will have a weakness all players do
even duncan

[Roxsfan]

You didnt highlight T-Oww my back hurts in the original post. We all know Houston is a better team without him there anyway. So he cancels himself out too lol

whatever noob. Looks like you guys are better without parker and ginflopi seeings how you won last game.:rolleyes

[SAtown]

its mainly b/c spursdynasty is such a fucking idiot I have to talk shit. Otherwise, I would not be such an asshat here.

Fuck spursdynasty---bitch.

I can't believe you take him so seriously. He must be doing something right

[Ice009]

Come show up to my apartment and say that, especially calling me that you twat. You'll probably be like the Rockette's in the playoffs - never show up.

I actually read an article a few months ago a guy flew from Germany to England over an internet dispute and killed the guy ;).

[Ice009]

So are there ones he should miss at the line?

If you remember last season he had games where he was doing his usual pattern of missing free throws in the 4th quarter and critical situations. I just don't want to see him go back to doing that. He's too good of a shooter now to be missing them.

[Kori Ellis]

By the way, any more info on Ginobili? He went to block Battier and came up limping.

Yeah I hope it wasn't his ankle. He was limping like he tweaked his groin or something.

[Roxsfan]

Come show up to my apartment and say that, especially calling me that you twat. You'll probably be like the Rockette's in the playoffs - never show up.

wow, internet tough guy. move on, you lost. When I said pendejo, I meant it in a good way. You know, "hey pendejo, pass me the salt":toast

[alchemist]

I actually read an article a few months ago a guy flew from Germany to England over an internet dispute and killed the guy ;).
Chuck Norris doesn't mess around. :toast

[ducks]

By the way, any more info on Ginobili? He went to block Battier and came up limping.

time for ice and ice and ice

[angelbelow]

seems like a bad shooting night. its okay, b2b's are tough.

[Roxsfan]

I can't believe you take him so seriously. He must be doing something right

you make a good point my friend.:toast

[homer]

Fuckin agreed. Houston possibly played one of their best games of the Season and SA played one of their worst of the Season.

Agreed. The only bright spot was Bonner outplaying Scola again. Wait for it.
Bonner haters and Scola haters checking stats. I'm talking about head to head match ups, not season stats.:hat

[Ice009]

sorry I just get tired of people giving manu credit for all the w and never blaming him for a loss
and blaming tp for the loss

I was mad that Tony missed those free throws. I kinda of implied that it may have cost us the game. I shouldn't have said that because it's not true. Spurs just played a very bad game.

Tony is a very good free throw shooter. I just want him to make them in crunch time and critical situations. At least 50%. He's too good to go away 0/2 at the line.

[crc21209]

whatever noob. Looks like you guys are better without parker and ginflopi seeings how you won last game.

Not even, our TEAM is still a TEAM, not a collection of "ballas"

[Roxsfan]

ok, sorry for my asshatness. I blame it on spursdynasty. He and I have a history of jabs.

[ducks]

I was mad that Tony missed those free throws. I kinda of implied that it may have cost us the game. I shouldn't have said that because it's not true. Spurs just played a very bad game.

Tony is a very good free throw shooter. I just want him to make them in crunch time and critical situations. At least 50%. He's too good to go away 0/2 at the line.

we are fine now:hat:flag:

[Obstructed_View]

I'd really like to see the Spurs play good defense AND have Tony Parker helping the team.

[Avitus1]

Pretty tough game to watch but I'm sure we'll do better against Detroit...

[Spork KIller]

Suck ass bitches...you really suck!!

[ducks]

Suck ass bitches...you really suck!!

:flag::flag::flag::flag::flag::flag::flag::flag:

[Spork KIller]

and that rookie PG suck big balls as well

[Anti.Hero]

Duncan needs to quit crying like a bitch after every call.

It really makes a legendary player look like a baby.

[Spork KIller]

Not to mention the Rockets beat the crap out of your elder team without TMac...

Quite embarrassing...

So Manure and Pepe Lepeu are back, what is your excuse for the sucking now?

[Obstructed_View]

Hi Louis.

[anakha]

The week just isn't complete without a visit from Louis.

[The Truth #6]

Manu and Tim didn't come out with good focus. We had one good run in the 2nd quarter and played well for a bit in the 3rd but overall, we did not match their level of execution. Just an ugly, inattentive game.

If it happens again next game then there will be more legit reason for concern. We had a good run for the last couple weeks. Spurs teams always have letdowns after a good long streak.

Maybe things are back to normal?

[Spork KIller]

Manu and Tim didn't come out with good focus. We had one good run in the 2nd quarter and played well for a bit in the 3rd but overall, we did not match their level of execution. Just an ugly, inattentive game.

If it happens again next game then there will be more legit reason for concern. We had a good run for the last couple weeks. Spurs teams always have letdowns after a good long streak.

Maybe things are back to normal?

The only thing you will see next game is another spanking....by the Pistons

[Spork KIller]

You've been feasting on sorry as teams (like your own), that was the reason you won 4 straight games...No More!!!!

Real competition is next

[Obstructed_View]

The Spurs really don't have any room to be letting up, considering the hole they put themselves in with their defense. Then they went out again tonight and put themselves in another one in the first quarter.

[duncan228]

Runaway Rockets blast Spurs (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Runaway_Rockets_blast_Spurs.html)
By Jeff McDonald

HOUSTON — The three-pronged tactic, as far as it applies to this Interstate 10 rivalry, had already been tried and found true once this season.

Spot the Houston Rockets a large, safe lead. Make them feel warm and cozy and confident. Then rip the proverbial rug out from under them.

The Spurs learned something Saturday about the strategy of playing with fire. It only works if you also play defense.

Luther Head, a replacement for injured star guard Tracy McGrady, scored a season-high 21 points to top a list of seven players in double figures for the Rockets, who routed the Spurs 103-84 at the Toyota Center.

For the first time in 29 meetings, the Spurs allowed the Rockets to pass the 100-point mark, ending a string of black-and-blue slugfests dating to March 17, 2001.

“Giving up 100 points to these guys isn't going to get it done,” Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. “We're used to playing in the 80s and low 90s and winning games like that.”

The blueprint for how the Spurs would like to play the Rockets came two weeks earlier in San Antonio. In that game, the Spurs closed with a 12-0 run, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the final 7:37, to win a 77-75 defensive battle.

This time, Houston was at 75 points before the end of the third quarter. The Spurs, meanwhile, were toast.

Matt Bonner had a season-high 17 points to lead the Spurs, who ended a four-game winning streak and missed out on a chance to move atop the Southwest Division for the first time this season. Duncan also had 17, but he needed 11 more shots than Bonner to get there, finishing 6 of 18 from the field.

The Spurs already had written the instruction manual on How To Cope With An All-Star (or two) out. The Rockets ripped a page right from it.

With McGrady sidelined for the second consecutive game, requiring another night off to nurse his sore left knee, Houston got scoring pick-me-ups from all over the roster, beginning with Head. And the Rockets defended, sinking their teeth into the Spurs from the opening tip and never really letting go.

The tone was set less than 10 seconds after the opening tap, when Houston's Ron Artest stepped in front of a Tony Parker pass and sashayed coast-to-coast for a dunk.

It continued throughout the game, as the Spurs (9-7) shot just 37.7 percent from the field. They also committed 14 turnovers, led by five from Manu Ginobili, leading to 24 points for Houston.

“Houston came out and was more aggressive than we were,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “They played a fine game for 48 minutes, as far as their aggressiveness and overall energy.”

Fifteen minutes into Saturday's rematch, during which the Rockets (11-6) played about as well as they could play, the Spurs were down by 19 and in rally mode again.

As they had two weeks earlier, the Spurs answered. They held Houston without a field goal over the final 5:37 of the second quarter, crawling as close as five points with less than a minute remaining.

Five possessions into the third quarter, the Spurs were within two, the flashbacks coming fast and furious for the Rockets. But that was as close as this game's comeback would go.

“We knew they would make a run,” said Houston's Shane Battier, who supplied 15 points off the bench. “I'm proud of how we responded.”

Little by little, Houston began to reinforce its lead. When Yao Ming hit a basket with 2:10 left in the quarter, the Rockets had pulled ahead by double digits again, 77-66.

This time, they wouldn't relinquish that cushion.

This time, the Spurs couldn't make them.

“They punished every mistake we made,” Ginobili said.

“After making such a big effort to come back, you don't have to be perfect, but you have to be close. Tonight, we were not.”

[duncan228]

McGrady sits with sore knee against Spurs (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/McGrady_sits_with_sore_knee_against_Spurs.html)
Jeff McDonald

HOUSTON — Tracy McGrady's season on the injury report continued Saturday night, with the Rockets guard missing his second consecutive game with a sore left knee.

McGrady has been struggling with knee pain since the preseason. An MRI earlier in the week showed no damage to the knee, but McGrady said before the game against the Spurs it pained him enough that he will seek a second opinion.

Houston coach Rick Adelman, meanwhile, said he's frustrated by the nightly uncertainty surrounding McGrady's availability.

“This has been kind of going on all year, and I just have no idea,” Adelman said. “It's really out of my hands. The medical people and Tracy have to look at it and see how he feels. Right now, they want to wait.”

If given his druthers, Adelman said he'd prefer to shut down any injured player for a finite length of time, rather than deal with the daily drama of “will he, or won't he?” Though not specifically asked about the McGrady situation, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agreed.

“I think it's much better if you know someone is going to be out ‘X' amount of time,” Popovich said. “You can plan for it, and change your rotation appropriately. That's much better than a day-to-day sort of deal.”

Hill OK: George Hill entered Saturday's game with a sore left shoulder, courtesy of two different collisions earlier in the week, but Popovich said he doesn't expect Hill to miss time.

“It's a little banged up,” Popovich said. “He's fine. It's not an injury, really. It's just a bang, a bruise, a nick.”

Barry out again: Houston's Brent Barry missed his second chance to play against his old team in the regular season.

Barry sat out with a strained right calf. He missed the Nov. 14 game in San Antonio with a sprained thumb.

[The Third Man]

Come show up to my apartment and say that, especially calling me that you twat. You'll probably be like the Rockette's in the playoffs - never show up.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/biggsyyyyyy/InternetToughGuy.jpg

[Reck]

ok, sorry for my asshatness. I blame it on spursdynasty. He and I have a history of jabs.

I'll say, even though you went abit over the line with your previous comments about how the Spurs were raped and talking down on us Spurs fan I support your movement to kick SD's ass. lol

The guy is a complete jackass.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

I actually read an article a few months ago a guy flew from Germany to England over an internet dispute and killed the guy ;).

here ya go

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3080737/War-games-fanatic-Matthew-Pyke-killed-by-gamer-from-Germany-police-think.html

[Ice009]

Duncan needs to quit crying like a bitch after every call.

It really makes a legendary player look like a baby.

Remember when Devin Harris said Tim Duncan is nothing but a big cry baby ;).

[Bob Lanier]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081130/capt.efde9be25d284feeb84eb4fbd1ada6d2.spurs_rocket s_basketball_htr108.jpg

[Roxsfan]

I'll say, even though you went abit over the line with your previous comments about how the Spurs were raped and talking down on us Spurs fan I support your movement to kick SD's ass. lol

The guy is a complete jackass.

yeah, I was in mid-chubby over the win and the blood left my head.:toast

spursdynasty is a dickface.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

don't worry Spurs fans, the Nuggets will take care of the Sprockets tomorrow :toast , well at least i hope they do :lol They didn't do a good job vs the Hornets

[duncan228]

Some quotes from both sides in here.

Rockets Rout Spurs (http://www.thehrr.com/HRR_blog/2008/11/rockets-rout-spurs.html)

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets bounced back -- in a very big way -- from Wednesday's disappointing loss with a 103 to 84 thumping of the San Antonio Spurs Saturday night inside Toyota Center.

"It was a win we really needed to have after after the other night," said Rick Adelman after the game. "And, our guys really came out ready to play."

Seven Rockets players scored in double-figures; but, the star of the game was definitely Luther Head. Luther found out he was starting "right before the meeting"; and, he responded with a season-high 21 points (on 7 of 11 shooting from the field); four assists; five rebounds; and two steals.

After the game, Luther discussed his start.

"It was a situation that I have been put in this year, to have to be ready when my team calls upon me and today I was ready."

"Luther had a chance to start," said Adelman in the post-game press conference. "And, I just can't say enough about what he did. It just shows you how a guy has worked and continued to work when he stepped on the court and played forty-one minutes when he hasn't been playing at all."

Ron Artest set the tone of the game with a steal and a fast break dunk to put the Rockets on the scoreboard first with a 2 to 0 lead. The Rockets never trailed in the ball game.

The Rockets offense in the first quarter was free flowing and very effective. The Rockets scored a season-high 33 points in the opening quarter and shot a season-best 62.5% (15 for 24) from the field in the quarter. The Rockets are now 7 and 0 this season when shooting 50 percent or better from the field in the first quarter.

"Everybody came out ready to play," declared Yao Ming. "We played defense. We played on both ends -- offense and defense. We had a lot of ball movement and body movement. On the defensive side, we had a lot of communication. That's what we really need to do the rest of the season."

The Rockets (11-6) led the Spurs (9-7) 33 to 20 at the end of the first quarter; and, the Rockets increased the lead by as many as 19 points in the second quarter. However, the Spurs became more aggressive on defense and the Rockets' offense went stale and the Spurs closed out the second quarter with an 18 to 6 run to cut the Rockets halftime lead to just 56 to 49.

Spurs point guard Tony Parker scored 14 points in the first half and forward Matt Bonner came off the bench and added 12 timely first half points. Tim Duncan scored just two points in the first half on 1 for 9 field goal shooting.

"I played an awful game in the first half," said Duncan. "And, I couldn't hit any of my shots. I did a little better in the second half."

Duncan finished the game with 17 points; but, he made only six of his 18 field goal attempts.

The Rockets picked up the aggression in the third quarter and outscored the Spurs 28 to 21 in the quarter.

"Houston came out and was more aggressive than we were," said Greg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs head coach. "They played a fine game for 48 minutes, as far as their aggressiveness, and their overall energy."

The Rockets outscored the Spurs 42 to 24 in the paint; and, Rockets forward Shane Battier was very active scoring from the low post. Battier went to the post whenever he was guarded by a shorter Spurs' defender; and, he scored the majority of his 15 points from the block.

The Rockets led 84 to 70 after three quarters; and, the Spurs never pulled any closer in the fourth period.

Shane Battier summarized the Rockets' performance tonight.

"I'm proud of this team. I really am. You can't say enough about Luther Head. He hasn't gotten many minutes and comes in and leads us in scoring and gives us a huge spark. Chuck played unbelievable defense on Duncan tonight. It was really a team win; and, we all know that we let one get away from us against Indiana."

[DaDakota]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081130/capt.efde9be25d284feeb84eb4fbd1ada6d2.spurs_rocket s_basketball_htr108.jpg

Look at Parker in mid season flopping form.
:D

DD

[Many PackYao]

don't worry Spurs fans, the Nuggets will take care of the Sprockets tomorrow :toast , well at least i hope they do :lol They didn't do a good job vs the Hornets
Geez will you quit sucking off the Spurs fans for a minute?:lol:p:

[The Third Man]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081130/capt.efde9be25d284feeb84eb4fbd1ada6d2.spurs_rocket s_basketball_htr108.jpg

This looks like a road production of Jesus Christ Superstar, or something.

[Roxsfan]

don't worry Spurs fans, the Nuggets will take care of the Sprockets tomorrow :toast , well at least i hope they do :lol They didn't do a good job vs the Hornets

then you wake up and realized you peed in your bed.:blah

[sook]

Geez will you quit sucking off the Spurs fans for a minute?:lol:p:

he seems to have gone of on a premature ejaculation spree ever since the Billups AI trade.

Hopefully we can shut him up tmmrw.

If we lose we can bitch about the Absence of T-Mac ;p

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Geez will you quit sucking off the Spurs fans for a minute?:lol:p:

:lol read my title. There is a reason why im a good troll :smokin

good luck tomorrow night.

[SAtown]

I remember a Spurs victory over the Rockets in the Alamodome (circa 96-98), and some obese ghetto Rockets fan overheard me talking shit (I was about 12 or 13), and he said something to the extent of "You can talk all the shit you want once you replace the Taco Cabana banners with Championship ones." I laugh to this day; fuck Houston and their fans

(For those that aren't familiar with the Alamodome, it used to have Taco Cabana and Express News banners hanging from the ceiling)

[screw_ston713]

Why fuck houston fans??? should be saying fuck spurs players for not bringing their A game. :nope

[benefactor]

4 wins in a row...back to back...I almost felt a let down coming. No excuses. Mentally, we never got off the bus.

[screw_ston713]

Yall beat us without parker and manu and we beat yall without drama queen tracy so its even.

[screw_ston713]

Game Highlights
H1abnuMAFjo

[SenorSpur]

Bill Russell said once that momentum shifts and changes is a load of shit. There's no such thing. You need to give effort every minute you're out on the court and the Spurs simply didn't do that. I'd love to find that article again, because he is right. The reason there is a momentum shift is because the other team stops playing hard or making mistakes.

He's absolutely right and so are you for pointing this out. :toast

[SenorSpur]

Spurs point guard Tony Parker scored 14 points in the first half and forward Matt Bonner came off the bench and added 12 timely first half points. Tim Duncan scored just two points in the first half on 1 for 9 field goal shooting.

"I played an awful game in the first half," said Duncan. "And, I couldn't hit any of my shots. I did a little better in the second half."

Duncan finished the game with 17 points; but, he made only six of his 18 field goal attempts.


I'll say this again about Duncan. Even if his offense takes a night off, his defense should ALWAYS be stellar and there should NEVER be a game where he doesn't get double figures in the rebounding department. I'd rather see him be consciously and selectively aggressive, while staying out of foul trouble.

[The Franchise]

I'm happy for the win but a win tonight would be much sweeter. Nuggets fan is totally responsible for that.:ihit

[Obstructed_View]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081130/capt.efde9be25d284feeb84eb4fbd1ada6d2.spurs_rocket s_basketball_htr108.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q228/GeneralPurpose/Spurstalk/platoon.jpg

[Obstructed_View]

I always think it's funny that the cry of Rockettes fans after a victory is "Spurs suck" instead of "Rockets are good".

[Roxsfan]

I always think it's funny that the cry of Rockettes fans after a victory is "Spurs suck" instead of "Rockets are good".

I think this is funny:
http://i35.tinypic.com/2vl1yya.jpg
http://bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0036/7519/ginobili_flopping_feature.jpg


2 of the NBA's queen-floppers:lmao

[leemajors]

what the fuck is a queen-flopper?

[Obstructed_View]

I don't know, but the only time the Rockets flop is in the playoffs.

[ShoogarBear]

Wanna make Rocket Fan scream? Whisper "second round".

[Roxsfan]

Wanna make Rocket Fan scream? Whisper "second round".

wow, is that all you got.

enjoy the spurs past, cause they have no future.

[Manufan909]

wow, is that all you got.

enjoy the spurs past, cause they have no future.

Booked for when the Spurs knock the Rockets out in the first round... someone has do do it.:king

[ShoogarBear]

wow, is that all you got.

enjoy the spurs past, cause they have no future.

As opposed to a "future" based on a choker, a limper, and a crazy man.

[Roxsfan]

Booked for when the Spurs knock the Rockets out in the first round... someone has do do it.:king

be my guest:toast

[Roxsfan]

As opposed to a "future" based on a choker, a limper, and a crazy man.

spurs have no future, your 30 grand post count won't change that.

[ShoogarBear]

Post count smack: the last refuge of the incompetent.

[Manufan909]

spurs have no future, your 30 grand post count won't change that.

Oh no he DIDN'T!!! 30G's is a bar we all aspire to.:worthy:

[Roxsfan]

Post count smack: the last refuge of the incompetent.

u got me, wow--nothing gets by you.

later bear.

[Spork KIller]

Pathetic fucks, you should be ashamed!

[SenorSpur]

Pathetic fucks, you should be ashamed!

Such nastiness coming from a supporter whose team sucks so bad and has virtually no identity.

[Rogue]

the only reason we lost the rival game to houston is just that Pop didn't start Bowen who is my favourite Spur. Losser Wormer HEAD is even more disgusting that tracy who has turned from a man to a female since he joined the hatred rockets several years ago.:rolleyes