duncan228
12-21-2008, 12:24 AM
Updated version, same link.
Spurs break shooting slump
Spurs break shooting slump in win over Raptors (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_breaks_hooting_slump_in_win_over_Raptors.htm l)
By Jeff McDonald
Even before he set foot on the AT&T Center floor Saturday night against Toronto, Spurs point guard Tony Parker figured this game would go better than his last.
“Couldn't be worse,” Parker said.
No, it couldn't. Two nights earlier, in the Spurs' nationally televised pratfall at Orlando, Parker had struggled through his rockiest outing of the season, going 3 of 17 from the field.
Against the Raptors, Parker reminded everyone — his fans, his teammates, his coaches and himself — how much better he can be when he's at his best.
Directing the script from start to finish, Parker totaled 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, guiding the Spurs to a 107-97 victory that erased the sour aftertaste of their recent 0-for-2 road swing.
“Tony orchestrated a wonderful game,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “It can be tough for a point guard, between scoring and getting others involved. He made great decisions and spearheaded the win for us.”
The Spurs (16-10) were historically prolific from 3-point range, matching franchise records for makes (16) and attempts (35). Three Spurs starters — Michael Finley, Roger Mason Jr. and Matt Bonner — each made four 3-pointers. Manu Ginobili chipped in three.
Because of that, the assists came easy for Parker.
“It's always easy to get assists when everybody makes shots,” Parker said.
Parker came just two rebounds shy of collecting his first career triple double. He blames Tim Duncan — he of the 9-inch height advantage — for depriving him of them.
However, Kurt Thomas was the more likely culprit. Thomas, playing his most extended minutes since the opener, grabbed 12 rebounds.
Duncan piled up 19 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Spurs, who had six players score in double figures. Jermaine O'Neal had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Raptors, who lost for the 10th time in the past 12 games to fall to 10-17.
The night did not start so swimmingly for the Spurs. They were coming off a two-loss road trip to New Orleans and Orlando in which they could manage no more than 83 points nor shoot better than 39 percent from the field.
For the first quarter Saturday, it seemed as if the Spurs' shooting woes had followed them home. They missed 18 of their 26 shots in the first quarter, including 10 of 12 3-pointers.
“I think everybody was still in (Christmas)-shopping mode,” Parker said.
Unable to buy a bucket — via debit or credit — and with the Raptors daring them to fire away, the Spurs did the only thing they could. They kept shooting. They kept shooting as if it were the NBA 3-point shootout, and they had a never-ending rack of basketballs.
By intermission, the Spurs had launched 23 3-pointers, matching a club record for attempts in a half.
“If they're open, good shots, you've got to take them with confidence,” Mason said. “It doesn't matter if you're 0 for 80, if you're open, take the shot.”
Luckily for the Spurs, the situation never got that dire.
Behind a 14-2 run in the second quarter, which included two 3-pointers from Mason and one from Bonner, the Spurs grabbed a 14-point lead and never looked back.
“Things are always easier when you make shots,” Popovich said. “One or two of those in New Orleans would have been great.”
Few enjoyed the victory more thoroughly than Parker. He took the winless road trip hard, claiming personal responsibility for the loss to the Magic.
“I had trouble sleeping after our loss to Orlando,” Parker said. “That's the beauty of the NBA. The next game always comes quick.”
Spurs break shooting slump
Spurs break shooting slump in win over Raptors (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_breaks_hooting_slump_in_win_over_Raptors.htm l)
By Jeff McDonald
Even before he set foot on the AT&T Center floor Saturday night against Toronto, Spurs point guard Tony Parker figured this game would go better than his last.
“Couldn't be worse,” Parker said.
No, it couldn't. Two nights earlier, in the Spurs' nationally televised pratfall at Orlando, Parker had struggled through his rockiest outing of the season, going 3 of 17 from the field.
Against the Raptors, Parker reminded everyone — his fans, his teammates, his coaches and himself — how much better he can be when he's at his best.
Directing the script from start to finish, Parker totaled 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, guiding the Spurs to a 107-97 victory that erased the sour aftertaste of their recent 0-for-2 road swing.
“Tony orchestrated a wonderful game,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “It can be tough for a point guard, between scoring and getting others involved. He made great decisions and spearheaded the win for us.”
The Spurs (16-10) were historically prolific from 3-point range, matching franchise records for makes (16) and attempts (35). Three Spurs starters — Michael Finley, Roger Mason Jr. and Matt Bonner — each made four 3-pointers. Manu Ginobili chipped in three.
Because of that, the assists came easy for Parker.
“It's always easy to get assists when everybody makes shots,” Parker said.
Parker came just two rebounds shy of collecting his first career triple double. He blames Tim Duncan — he of the 9-inch height advantage — for depriving him of them.
However, Kurt Thomas was the more likely culprit. Thomas, playing his most extended minutes since the opener, grabbed 12 rebounds.
Duncan piled up 19 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Spurs, who had six players score in double figures. Jermaine O'Neal had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Raptors, who lost for the 10th time in the past 12 games to fall to 10-17.
The night did not start so swimmingly for the Spurs. They were coming off a two-loss road trip to New Orleans and Orlando in which they could manage no more than 83 points nor shoot better than 39 percent from the field.
For the first quarter Saturday, it seemed as if the Spurs' shooting woes had followed them home. They missed 18 of their 26 shots in the first quarter, including 10 of 12 3-pointers.
“I think everybody was still in (Christmas)-shopping mode,” Parker said.
Unable to buy a bucket — via debit or credit — and with the Raptors daring them to fire away, the Spurs did the only thing they could. They kept shooting. They kept shooting as if it were the NBA 3-point shootout, and they had a never-ending rack of basketballs.
By intermission, the Spurs had launched 23 3-pointers, matching a club record for attempts in a half.
“If they're open, good shots, you've got to take them with confidence,” Mason said. “It doesn't matter if you're 0 for 80, if you're open, take the shot.”
Luckily for the Spurs, the situation never got that dire.
Behind a 14-2 run in the second quarter, which included two 3-pointers from Mason and one from Bonner, the Spurs grabbed a 14-point lead and never looked back.
“Things are always easier when you make shots,” Popovich said. “One or two of those in New Orleans would have been great.”
Few enjoyed the victory more thoroughly than Parker. He took the winless road trip hard, claiming personal responsibility for the loss to the Magic.
“I had trouble sleeping after our loss to Orlando,” Parker said. “That's the beauty of the NBA. The next game always comes quick.”