duncan228
02-09-2009, 02:48 PM
San Antonio (34-15) at New Jersey (24-28) Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2009021017&prov=ap)
Game info: 7:30 pm EST Tue Feb 10, 2009
TV: FSSW, YES
By Brett Huston
A night off for the San Antonio Spurs’ three stars paid major dividends in their latest game, a victory over the NBA champions during which the Spurs were at their best during a fourth-quarter comeback.
San Antonio hasn’t needed too many late surges when it’s faced the New Jersey Nets in recent years.
The red-hot Spurs continue their eight-game road trip Tuesday looking for their 13th straight victory over the Nets, who hope to have Vince Carter back in their lineup.
Coach Gregg Popovich’s decision not to play Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker last Tuesday in Denver raised some eyebrows, and San Antonio (34-15) went on to lose after needing overtime to win in Golden State the night before.
No one’s questioning that decision anymore after the third game of the Spurs’ annual rodeo road trip. Trailing by three with 45 seconds left in Boston on Sunday, San Antonio went on an 11-0 run and knocked off the Celtics 105-99.
“It’s hard for the oldest team in the NBA to feel fresh,” Popovich said. “It was a beautiful win for us, against the NBA champions and on the road makes it even sweeter.”
Duncan and Matt Bonner led the way with 23 points, while Ginobili, playing through a bruised hip, had 19 off the bench.
“If I would have played in Denver, I wouldn’t have been this fresh for sure,” said Ginobili, who’s averaged 25.8 points in his last four games. “It was very important for us to get rest a couple of days.”
With five games left on a trip that will span 20 days, the Spurs might be playing their best basketball of the season. They’ve won nine of 11, with the only losses coming on the road to the Los Angeles Lakers - owners of the league’s best record - and at Denver with the team’s three stars resting.
If recent history is any indication, San Antonio’s domination of New Jersey seems likely to continue Tuesday. The Spurs’ 12 straight regular-season wins in the series have come by an average of 13.0 points, although the most recent matchup was close, a 94-91 Spurs home victory Jan. 23 behind 30 points from Duncan.
The Nets (24-28) rode a season-high four-game win streak into Orlando on Sunday, and were coming off a stunning 114-70 home blowout of the Nuggets the day before. Carter, however, was lost to a hyperextended right elbow in that game and didn’t play against the Magic.
He was sorely missed, as the Nets fell behind 32-18 after one quarter and went on to lose 101-84.
“With a young team, it probably was a factor,” point guard Devin Harris said of playing without Carter. “Obviously the veterans prepare like it was any other game, but morale was a little bit down coming out.”
Carter sounded optimistic that he’d be ready to face the Spurs, but with the Nets playing their last game before the All-Star break, it’s uncertain if New Jersey will let him.
Harris, who will represent the Nets in the All-Star game Sunday, is a familiar face to the Spurs after playing against them regularly while with Dallas. New Jersey’s scoring leader at 21.8 points per game, Harris has averaged 20.3 points in three contests against the Spurs since being traded to the Nets last February.
Notes
Spurs:
F Matt Bonner scored a season-high 23 points in Sunday's 105-99 victory at Boston. The native of nearby Concord, New Hampshire fell just two points shy of his career high, set at Golden State on December 11, 2007. "At the end of the game when we had kind of wrapped it up, I was starting to get goosebumps," he said. "I didn't get to play the last two times we were here." ... The Spurs improved to 2-1 on their annual "Rodeo Trip" - an eight-game trek that runs while the AT&T Center is taken over by a rodeo show.
Nets:
Swingman Vince Carter did not play for the Nets due to a sore right elbow. Jarvis Hayes started in his place and scored 13 points. ... New Jersey was outscored 25-0 in fast break points. ... G Keyon Dooling played 32 minutes and did not score.
Team Stat Leaders
Points
Tim Duncan SA 20.7
Devin Harris NJ 21.8
Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 10.5
Brook Lopez NJ 8.2
Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.6
Devin Harris NJ 6.5
Team Comparison
Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
San Antonio 34-15 1st Southwest / 2nd West 97.8 94.6 Road 16-8 Won 1 8-2
New Jersey 24-28 3rd Atlantic / 8th East 98.3 99.9 Home 11-15 Lost 1 5-5
Game info: 7:30 pm EST Tue Feb 10, 2009
TV: FSSW, YES
By Brett Huston
A night off for the San Antonio Spurs’ three stars paid major dividends in their latest game, a victory over the NBA champions during which the Spurs were at their best during a fourth-quarter comeback.
San Antonio hasn’t needed too many late surges when it’s faced the New Jersey Nets in recent years.
The red-hot Spurs continue their eight-game road trip Tuesday looking for their 13th straight victory over the Nets, who hope to have Vince Carter back in their lineup.
Coach Gregg Popovich’s decision not to play Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker last Tuesday in Denver raised some eyebrows, and San Antonio (34-15) went on to lose after needing overtime to win in Golden State the night before.
No one’s questioning that decision anymore after the third game of the Spurs’ annual rodeo road trip. Trailing by three with 45 seconds left in Boston on Sunday, San Antonio went on an 11-0 run and knocked off the Celtics 105-99.
“It’s hard for the oldest team in the NBA to feel fresh,” Popovich said. “It was a beautiful win for us, against the NBA champions and on the road makes it even sweeter.”
Duncan and Matt Bonner led the way with 23 points, while Ginobili, playing through a bruised hip, had 19 off the bench.
“If I would have played in Denver, I wouldn’t have been this fresh for sure,” said Ginobili, who’s averaged 25.8 points in his last four games. “It was very important for us to get rest a couple of days.”
With five games left on a trip that will span 20 days, the Spurs might be playing their best basketball of the season. They’ve won nine of 11, with the only losses coming on the road to the Los Angeles Lakers - owners of the league’s best record - and at Denver with the team’s three stars resting.
If recent history is any indication, San Antonio’s domination of New Jersey seems likely to continue Tuesday. The Spurs’ 12 straight regular-season wins in the series have come by an average of 13.0 points, although the most recent matchup was close, a 94-91 Spurs home victory Jan. 23 behind 30 points from Duncan.
The Nets (24-28) rode a season-high four-game win streak into Orlando on Sunday, and were coming off a stunning 114-70 home blowout of the Nuggets the day before. Carter, however, was lost to a hyperextended right elbow in that game and didn’t play against the Magic.
He was sorely missed, as the Nets fell behind 32-18 after one quarter and went on to lose 101-84.
“With a young team, it probably was a factor,” point guard Devin Harris said of playing without Carter. “Obviously the veterans prepare like it was any other game, but morale was a little bit down coming out.”
Carter sounded optimistic that he’d be ready to face the Spurs, but with the Nets playing their last game before the All-Star break, it’s uncertain if New Jersey will let him.
Harris, who will represent the Nets in the All-Star game Sunday, is a familiar face to the Spurs after playing against them regularly while with Dallas. New Jersey’s scoring leader at 21.8 points per game, Harris has averaged 20.3 points in three contests against the Spurs since being traded to the Nets last February.
Notes
Spurs:
F Matt Bonner scored a season-high 23 points in Sunday's 105-99 victory at Boston. The native of nearby Concord, New Hampshire fell just two points shy of his career high, set at Golden State on December 11, 2007. "At the end of the game when we had kind of wrapped it up, I was starting to get goosebumps," he said. "I didn't get to play the last two times we were here." ... The Spurs improved to 2-1 on their annual "Rodeo Trip" - an eight-game trek that runs while the AT&T Center is taken over by a rodeo show.
Nets:
Swingman Vince Carter did not play for the Nets due to a sore right elbow. Jarvis Hayes started in his place and scored 13 points. ... New Jersey was outscored 25-0 in fast break points. ... G Keyon Dooling played 32 minutes and did not score.
Team Stat Leaders
Points
Tim Duncan SA 20.7
Devin Harris NJ 21.8
Rebounds
Tim Duncan SA 10.5
Brook Lopez NJ 8.2
Assists
Tony Parker SA 6.6
Devin Harris NJ 6.5
Team Comparison
Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
San Antonio 34-15 1st Southwest / 2nd West 97.8 94.6 Road 16-8 Won 1 8-2
New Jersey 24-28 3rd Atlantic / 8th East 98.3 99.9 Home 11-15 Lost 1 5-5