Game Blog: 12/23/08 - Spurs vs. Timberwolves

[benefactor]

http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/nba/160x100/SA.gif


VS



http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbss/ui2/logos/nba/160x100/MIN.gif

TIME: 8:30 pm EST
VENUE: AT&T Center, San Antonio
BROADCAST: FSNSW, League Pass

Spurs Talk Preview Thread (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112724)

Yeah...just do what you did last night. :tu

:flag:

[Dex]

:elephant

[sonic21]

:flag::flag::flag:

[xtremesteven33]

Lets wrap this up by the 3rd as well so the Big 3 can rest up to go to War on Christmas day. :ihit

[gingerwave]

Let's go Spurs. :flag:

[KatySpursFan]

I don't think this game has any impact on Thursday's game.

If the Spurs do what Kerr did for the Suns last year, they have a chance.
If not, Tim's going to be watching the clock more than the ball. Think Christmas Day 2005 in Detroit.

For those that hadn't heard:
Last year, Steve Kerr made the best of what he could with making the team travel for a Christmas Day game. All immediate family were on the charter. Selected others were flown in by the team to stay at the team hotel. The hotel had an area used for all team kids to wake up Christmas morning. I think Christmas Eve was 'on demand'. Not as good as waking up at home Christmas morning, but not as miserable as leaving the family behind for your job.

By the way, the winner of the NBA championship should NEVER have to travel for a Christmas game. Larry O'Brien trophy and Christmas at home. Should go into the labor agreement. I think if they are going to match up the previous year's playoff opponents, the winner of the series should be at home.
Make the playoffs worth something. :)

[duncan228]

Game blog: Spurs vs. Timberwolves (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/spursworld/)
By Joe Alexander

The Spurs play the second game of a back-to-back when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at the AT&T Center.

As far as travel and second games go, however, this shouldn't be as taxing as most. The Spurs play both games at home, including Monday's 101-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The Spurs were able to limit the minutes of their key players against the Kings.

The Spurs have won eight of their last nine at home. The Timberwolves have lost their last 12 games overall and haven't won since late November.

Here's the latest on the Timberwolves:

Jerry Zgoda, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Timberwolves forward Kevin Love played seven minutes Saturday -- his previous low was 15 -- and watched the entire second half of a home loss to Houston because Wolves coach Kevin McHale said he needed veteran Mark Madsen's energy and because Love might benefit from a new perspective.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/36549854.html?elr=

Don Seeholzer, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Minnesota's Mike Miller won't play in tonight's game at San Antonio, and is expected to miss Friday's at New York as well, but he said he didn't feel like he came back too quickly from his first injury.
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_11292184?nclick_check=1

[T Park]

The T Wolves are an absolute mess...

[sonic21]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/36603224.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqPk4DyCc75DiUiacyKUU

Wolves gameday

Preview: The Timberwolves already have seen San Antonio twice this season at home and now have to deal with the Spurs in their building. That's no easy task, especially with the lineup San Antonio puts out on the court. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are the big three. But add role players Matt Bonner, George Hill and Roger Mason into the mix, and it is quite the formidable lineup. Heading into Monday's game against Sacramento, the Spurs had won seven of 10 games in December.

Players to watch: Parker has been a Timberwolves killer in the two previous games. He scored 55 points Nov. 5 and followed it up with a 16-point fourth-quarter performance five weeks later. "He's a tremendous player," Wolves coach Kevin McHale said. "I don't know if there's many guys who can guard him one-on-one in our league. He gets to the hole and does a lot of good stuff." Likely drawing Parker on defense will be Minnesota guard Kevin Ollie, who has seen his minutes increase since McHale took over as coach Dec. 8. "You have to play solid against them, keep them out of transition," the 11-year veteran said. "I want to win no matter what -- I'll play 2 minutes, I'll play 48 minutes."

Numbers: In the seven games since McHale took over as coach, Minnesota guard Sebastian Telfair has played just 54 minutes. He has not made it off the bench in the past two games. "You reward the guys who are playing well," McHale said of playing Ollie substantially more than Telfair. "Sebastian will have his chance. I'm sure Sebastian's practiced well, and that's what you have to do."

[toki9]

Jerry Zgoda, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Timberwolves forward Kevin Love played seven minutes Saturday and watched the entire second half of a home loss to Houston because Wolves coach Kevin McHale said he needed veteran Mark Madsen's energy and because Love might benefit from a new perspective.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/36549854.html?elr=


McHale went with Madsen over Love?!? Madsen!?! That Love for Mayo trade is looking really good...

[DPG21920]

DPG is going to the game!

[Spur-Addict]

I don't think this game has any impact on Thursday's game.

If the Spurs do what Kerr did for the Suns last year, they have a chance.
If not, Tim's going to be watching the clock more than the ball. Think Christmas Day 2005 in Detroit.

For those that hadn't heard:
Last year, Steve Kerr made the best of what he could with making the team travel for a Christmas Day game. All immediate family were on the charter. Selected others were flown in by the team to stay at the team hotel. The hotel had an area used for all team kids to wake up Christmas morning. I think Christmas Eve was 'on demand'. Not as good as waking up at home Christmas morning, but not as miserable as leaving the family behind for your job.

By the way, the winner of the NBA championship should NEVER have to travel for a Christmas game. Larry O'Brien trophy and Christmas at home. Should go into the labor agreement. I think if they are going to match up the previous year's playoff opponents, the winner of the series should be at home.
Make the playoffs worth something. :)

Hi there.

That's pretty thoughtful of Kerr if true, I didn't know that. That's a nice idea.

---

I totally agree with you that the Celts shouldn't have to be on the road for this game. Stern just knows that if it's in L.A there is a smaller chance that Boston breaks it open. Stern is an annoyance more than anything.

-----------------------------

Lets go Spurs!!

I'll be interested in how effective Craig Smith will be on the interior this game. Here's to keeping the tunovers down and team improvement. Glasses up for efficient basketball. :toast

[Charles Sappa]

Very Easy Victory! Spurs by 20.

Minessota is very, very bad team like Sacramento. Why We Can't Win against Orlando or New Orleans?

Merry christmas

[duncan228]

Wolves gameday

More local Wolves previews here if anyone's interested.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112724

[xellos88330]

GO SPURS GO!!! :flag::flag:

[pawe]

Go Spurs Go!
Dont let up, dont rest, step on their throat and crush their spirit early!

[Austin_Toros]

McHale went with Madsen over Love?!? Madsen!?! That Love for Mayo trade is looking really good...

maybe because mchale thinks the t-wolves are contenders so they need to play their veterans over the youngsters. :lol

and im sure love would benefit from not playing! jeez!

[Jobbs]

someone let me know what feed is on tv. I'm using LP broadband until my nba2k9 game is done.

[duncan228]

Spurs call on LP. :elephant

[Jobbs]

Spurs on LP BB too

guess all the bitching worked

[duncan228]

From the E-N game blog. :lol

Two of the Silver Dancers greet fans before the game at the AT&T Center.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp/dancers.jpg

Kris Davis (left) and Cliff Puchalski of the Spurs public relations staff.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp/pubrel.jpg

[Spurs1234]

yeah, crazy, two in arow now!!!no make that three in arow, i think LP should just go, home team=your call, only fair way to do it.

[024]

hairston not active again? seems like a good game for hariston to see some minutes but i guess not.

[crc21209]

Hey guys whos the PA announcer? I noticed its not Big Kev, doesnt sound like him, last night either. Anyone know?

[Jobbs]

yeah, crazy, two in arow now!!!no make that three in arow, i think LP should just go, home team=your call, only fair way to do it.

It is for most night. It's a weird thing actually. Last game with the Wolves, both the tv and boradband had the Wolves pbp. Most nights it's the home team pbp on tv and the away team's pbp on the net feed.

[pawe]

All i want for Christmas is two silver dancers.

[duncan228]

Duncan, Parker, Bonner, Finley, Mason Jr. starting.

[Spurs Brazil]

Finley J!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

Tp!!!!!!

[Yorae]

No audio pass?

[timtonymanu]

Finley 333333333333!

[Spurs Brazil]

TD from TP!!

[024]

why did popovich pull mason out so soon?

[duncan228]

Pretty pass Parker to Duncan for the lay up.

[Spurs Brazil]

TP killing Olie

[pawe]

good play TP! be aggressive early team!

[Yorae]

why did popovich pull mason out so soon?

Yeah what happened?

[duncan228]

I'm gonna get spoiled with Spurs call a couple in a row now.

[timtonymanu]

TP layup!

[sonic21]

Tony need to pass to Mason

[bbarry]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed?

[Spurs Brazil]

Mason Jr 33333333333333333333

[Yorae]

Mason forgot to take his vitamins.

[timtonymanu]

Mason !

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner nice play

[Spurs Brazil]

Mason again!!!

[pawe]

I love this lineup. I think this will be the Spurs' lineup for the majority of the playoffs.

[timtonymanu]

Mason cant miss. i like it.

[Yorae]

Popovich is subbing like a freak.

[bbarry]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed?

[raspsa]

Parker will probably have his best season in terms of assists if he continues to look for mason on the Perimeter. Should be good for 3-4 assists each game.

[bbarry]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed??

[pawe]

gotta control the minutes since this is the tailend of a back to back

[Yorae]

Oh crap, gotta go. Going to the airport. Spurs have a nice game and a win.

[Spurs Brazil]

Nice job Manu

[024]

wolves still shooting 53%. defense needs to pressure.

[sonic21]

1st spurs foul :tu

[pawe]

cmon spurs, ya'll are wasting TP's assists.

[Spurs Brazil]

Very good D

[timtonymanu]

enter Hill!!!!!!!!

[HarlemHeat37]

wow, bad call against Kurt..horrible..

[Spurs Brazil]

BS call

[pawe]

how was that not a charge? shitbag zebras strike again

[Spurs Brazil]

Thomas J!!!!!!!!!!!

Spurs up 30-21 after one

[T Park]

Kurt Thomas.

What was that about him being done? :)

[sonic21]

nice 1st quarter

[Jobbs]

Love the fact that the PA now has jingle bells instead of the same ol stump stump stomp Go Spurs Go.

[Ice009]

Is the floor slippery or does George need new shoes?

[pawe]

nice block HILL!!!

[Chieflion]

He fell down twice in two games? Get some new shoes.

[Juanobili]

OH Man HILL!

[Ice009]

Fucking Condor!

[Bartleby]

Is the floor slippery or does George need new shoes?

He slipped last night, too.

[Spurs Brazil]

Hill block

[Capt Bringdown]

Manu...sucks

[Reck]

Man, Manu with his TOs

[timtonymanu]

going cold now

[Chieflion]

MVP chants for Lebron in the Cavs-Rockets game. Go Cavs.

[HarlemHeat37]

we have such horrible shot selection at times..Duncan shoots a fadeaway hook shot and a contested jumper against a guy much shorter than him..Manu shoots a bad 3 and makes a bad pass..

we had control of this game, no need for stupidity..

[bbarry]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed??

also, manu should be traded. he looks slow, sluggish, out of sync, old. etc.

[bbarry]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed?

[Ice009]

I don't think we've gone cold. We're just playing sloppy and stupid.

[Reck]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed??

also, manu should be traded. he looks slow, sluggish, out of sync, old. etc.

STFU Noob.

[pawe]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed??

also, manu should be traded. he looks slow, sluggish, out of sync, old. etc.

oh no you di'int!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

TD and one!!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

timmy and1!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

I don't like the guy who's subbing Big Kev

[Spurs Brazil]

FInley tough shot!!!!

[timtonymanu]

finley j!!!!!!!

[T Park]

Finley what a fucking shot.

[Spurs Brazil]

Finley on fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spurs on a 7-0 run since TD is back

[Reck]

Finley is hot.

[pawe]

run that play for fin 5 more times!

[duncan228]

where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed?


where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed?


where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed??


where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed??


where is the commentators in the fsn southwest feed?

We don't know.

[Reck]

He actually reposted that 5 times?

[Spurs Brazil]

Lakers killing Hornets and Rockets lost to the Cavs

We may end the night at the top of the division

[bbarry]

no one else is having problem with spurs commentators? i guess i'm the only one watching on fsn.

and I was kidding about manu being traded. just wanted to make sure i wasn't being ignored. :)

[timtonymanu]

and I was kidding about manu being traded. just wanted to make sure i wasn't being ignored. :)

sure.

[Ice009]

Matt Bonner was open for a pass there. TP should have looked to get him the ball.

[Spurs Brazil]

Mason Jr 2222222222222222222222

[timtonymanu]

Mason 22222222222!

[Spurs Brazil]

Great D TD

[Jobbs]

btw, Devin Harris just hit a dagger on the Pacers at the buzzer.

[pawe]

no one else is having problem with spurs commentators? i guess i'm the only one watching on fsn.

and I was kidding about manu being traded. just wanted to make sure i wasn't being ignored. :)

do that again and the COM will nail you on the cross

[SpursFan0728]

playing great so far

GO SPURS

[alchemist]

Lakers killing Hornets and Rockets lost to the Cavs

We may end the night at the top of the division
Houston will still have a half game lead over us since they have 19W's

[timtonymanu]

lol Tim.

[bbarry]

lol timmy on the fastbreak.

[pawe]

Hou lost
NOH losing
Utah down 17

If only Bos, Dal and Den would lose then this will be a perfect night for the standings.

[Ice009]

Jefferson is incredible. His offense is very good. So many moves.

[xtremesteven33]

Tragic Johnson in full effect tonight..haha

[Reck]

WTF The Spurs let them get in the game again?

Ridiculous.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 48-40 at the half

[timtonymanu]

we frickin allowed them to get back in it.

[xtremesteven33]

Wheres Manu at??

[Capt Bringdown]

Very nice to see Mason getting more minutes than Manu. Isn't that the way Pop's system is supposed to work?

[pawe]

Its a 48 min game folks. Remember the Spurs' mantra is pounding the rock. They'll get it done by the end of the night.

[HarlemHeat37]

we fell asleep again..can't do that too often..

[Chieflion]

Suprising stat in the half: Randy Foye has 8 rebounds and 0 assists.

[benefactor]

We are kinda just poking through this game with occasional stints of hitting the gas. We need to get on the gas in the beginning of the 3rd and put them away.

[pawe]

sixers bending over for the celtics. Dont let them get the NBA record dammit!

[Austin_Toros]

Suprising stat in the half: Randy Foye has 8 rebounds and 0 assists.


hmm, yes, quite surprising
but 8 boards by foye aint to bad!

[it's me]

Manu playing like CRAP ... I don't think he will ever be the same after the injury.

[Trainwreck2100]

hmm, yes, quite surprising
but 8 boards by foye aint to bad!

He's no Brandon Roy

[pawe]

Manu playing like CRAP ... I don't think he will ever be the same after the injury.

why would he go all out in the reg season and risk injuring his ankle again? believe man, he'll be ready come playoff time. they all will be!

[Southwest Texas Fan]

What's going on with Manu? He only played 8 minutes. Is he stinking it up or is it something else?

[timtonymanu]

wtf r we doing?

[Chieflion]

Dang, they are within 3.

[pawe]

not a good way to start the 3rd. lead down to 3

[Spurs Brazil]

Wolves 16-2 run

[timtonymanu]

Mason 3333333333333333!

[Bartleby]

Daaayumm. Mason's automatic.

[Spurs Brazil]

Mason Jr 33333333333333333

[timtonymanu]

TP to TD!

[Spurs Brazil]

TD from TP!!!!!

[pawe]

Bonner looks like a t-rex when running.

[Brazil]

we are not winning this one w/o manu help

[Spurs Brazil]

TP layup!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

nice Parker!

[Brazil]

Bonner looks like a t-rex when running.

:lmao I imagine the same thing

[Spurs Brazil]

Smith killing Bonner

Tolliver in for Bonner

[Brazil]

good game so far for TP

[Spurs Brazil]

Td!!!!!!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

D is awful in the 3rd quarter

[timtonymanu]

D is awful in the 3rd quarter

forreal.

[024]

what's with all the fouls

[Spurs Brazil]

Shit

[Ice009]

Spurs are playing bad.

[timtonymanu]

Td!!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

TD great move

[Brazil]

Where is Manu??? is he injuried or something?

[timtonymanu]

WTF Tolliver... how many times u gonna foul?

[duncan228]

Duncan a couple of timely buckets this quarter.

[Spurs Brazil]

Another foul

WTF

[HarlemHeat37]

this is why we need to put teams to sleep when we are dominating..

[Brazil]

it stinks

[Spurs Brazil]

Tp!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

Tp!!!!

[JohnnySixString]

this is why we need to put teams to sleep when we are dominating..


Well, it wouldn't be a Spurs game if they did that, now would it?

[Reck]

Wow...how sad.

[pawe]

Manu sighting

[timtonymanu]

TP jumper!

[Spurs Brazil]

Tp J!!!!

[Brazil]

TP again

[024]

more free throws

[Chieflion]

Travelling man, dang it.

[Brazil]

and after we have fans claiming that TP is shooting too much :)

[pawe]

Ollie looks like a wayans brother

[HarlemHeat37]

what's up with refs lately? we're getting some bad calls against us tonight, just like how we had a lot of bad calls against us in the Raptors game..

[timtonymanu]

Timmy!!!!

[Brazil]

nice TD from TP

[Spurs Brazil]

TP on fire!!!!!!

[Reck]

TP with the killer instinct.

[timtonymanu]

Tony again!!!! Spurs up 10.

[Brazil]

Tp 8-11

[jemanuel]

manu 4 life....go manu go!!!

[timtonymanu]

if only Parker can make FTs

[Brazil]

nice run by TP and TD

[pawe]

TP working hard tonight. I wont have any problems if he will be the spurs' franchise player when TD retires.

[Chieflion]

Next time we draft, do not trade the player. It irks me to see Barbosa, Scola and some other players gone to some other teams for nothing.

[jemanuel]

see just your presence in the court makes a big difference...

[timtonymanu]

Salmons is the biggest let go for me.

[Reck]

Oh my god..Tony

[timtonymanu]

Holy crap Tony! WOO HOO!

[Spurs Brazil]

Tony Parker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

Bruce 33333333333333!

[Spurs Brazil]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuce 33333333333333333 from perfect pass TP

[duncan228]

Breaking it open now. Hope they keep the distance and don't let them back in again.

[Ice009]

That was a tremendous pass from Tony.

[duncan228]

OMG was that sweet.

[timtonymanu]

Hill fuckin dunks!!!!

[pawe]

Hill throwing it down after a manu steal!

[Juanobili]

Hill With The Slam!!!!!!

[bbarry]

a dunk by Hill??? nice.

[Spurs Brazil]

Hill dunk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reck]

Jump ball. That wasnt a foul.
Ghey

[Capt Bringdown]

I wanna see more Hill, this kid is exciting.

[Ice009]

Great play Manu and George. lol an open court dunk got me excited, shows how much we are deprived of dunks ;).

[pawe]

Telfair tackled Manu!

[Capt Bringdown]

lol an open court dunk got me excited, shows how much we are deprived of dunks ;).

You ain't kidding. Spurs have to be at the bottom of the league in dunks.

[bbarry]

manu 333333333333

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu tres!!!!!!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

Ginobili 3333333333333333333!

[pawe]

lol at the defender stepping away from manu...yew just kent dew things leyk thet!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 83-67 after the 3rd

[Reck]

Game busted wipe open. Another W.

[jemanuel]

luv u manu 4 life......

[Austin_Toros]

what did tony do?????

was that hills first dunk in the nba?

[Jobbs]

Manu is so clutch

[Brazil]

amazing dunk by Hill and amazing pass from tony

[Jobbs]

Manu is so bad.

[td_tp_manu]

manu's made a difference. time for tp/td to take some rest.

[jemanuel]

we are not winning this one w/o manu help


you are absolutely right!!! just believe...:rollin:rollin:rollin

[SpurAddict561]

Man, it sucks cuz I'm up against duncan this week in fantasy

I hate it

and he's spreading the stats out tonight too...more so than usual

slow down but murder, Tim!

Tony needs to keep shooting, screw the critics!

[SequSpur]

bandwagoners

[Brazil]

you are absolutely right!!! just believe...:rollin:rollin:rollin


:toast

[Jobbs]

Do we play the Wolves 3 or 4 times this season?

[timtonymanu]

Thomas j!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

Thomas J!!!!

[Brazil]

bandwagoners

can't say that for me. TP is the best player in the league:toast

[timtonymanu]

Wolves really fucked themselves trading mayo for love.

[Brazil]

wow wolves run

[timtonymanu]

great. do we have to bring in tony and tim to seal this damn game?

[Spurs Brazil]

Wolves 10-2 run

Pop Time Out

[JohnnySixString]

Time to let them back in it. Spurs' style.

[duncan228]

Do we play the Wolves 3 or 4 times this season?

4. The last one is March 17.

[Reck]

LOL when is Spurs gonna learn to put away crappy teams away for once.

This is like the 4th time they let the T wolves back in it.

[Brazil]

it seems that TP and TD won't 4th rest

[Ice009]

Why is Hill slipping down all the time?

Does he need to change his shoes?

[pawe]

Wolves really fucked themselves trading mayo for love.

not surprising when mchale is your gm

[Spurs Brazil]

Woves 28FTA

[Trainwreck2100]

Wolves really fucked themselves trading mayo for love.

and roy for foye

[Spurs Brazil]

Stop with that shit Finley

Fuck another foul

Wolves 30FTA

[timtonymanu]

goddamnit put this game away already.

[Brazil]

come on Fin ! fuck +5 only

[Reck]

Finley is killing the Spurs.

[timtonymanu]

Finley missing his fuckin shots

[Spurs Brazil]

Finley miss another WIDE OPEN 3

[pawe]

4. The last one is March 17.

Dang D228, are you a robot or something? Next time I need stats, ill ask you first :toast

[Brazil]

Fin 3 misses in a row dam

[timtonymanu]

play Mason!

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF with that

Another terrible shot

[hoopdreams11]

Bowen has been in the game too long the offense is stagnant

[Spurs Brazil]

Td!!!!!!

[Reck]

How many Duncan's babies does Kevin Love have now? lol Tim owns him.

[bbarry]

it's like spurs don't ever have a playbook the last 9 mins of the game... :(

its always tim post up, or tony parker iso.

[Brazil]

fuck not capable to handle this 4th w/o TP and TD

[duncan228]

Duncan hacked.

[pawe]

wolves hanging tough without Miller and Brewer..gotta give them props

[JohnnySixString]

fuck not capable to handle this 4th w/o TP and TD

Not doing that great with them.