Kori Ellis
03-05-2005, 01:23 AM
Spurs nearly beat-a-Bull: Duncan hits clutch shot again to hold off pesky Chicago
Web Posted: 03/05/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030505.1C.BKNspurs.bulls.gamer.10877b8e3.html
For much of the past two weeks, the Spurs have seen a difference in Tim Duncan. He's pivoting without problem. His balance is better. He's stronger, more aggressive.
The Spurs aren't the only ones who have noticed. Duncan added to his late-game heroics for the week Friday night, scoring 31 points and hitting a go-ahead 17-footer with 37.9 seconds remaining to lift the Spurs to a 102-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the SBC Center.
"The more aggressive he is, the better we are," Robert Horry said. "We live and die with Tim."
The Spurs have been living dangerously of late. On Monday, they needed Duncan's 19-footer at the buzzer to beat Cleveland. Two nights later against Toronto, they allowed a 21-point lead in the second half to shrink to six before pulling out a victory.
The Spurs threw another scare into Friday's sellout crowd of 18,797 when their 17-point lead vaporized in the final minutes. Bulls guard Ben Gordon scored 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and made an 18-footer with 2:05 remaining to give Chicago a 94-92 lead. "He's Mr. Fourth Quarter," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said
Manu Ginobili, who scored 12 of his 19 points in the final quarter, drove for a layup to tie the game. After Chicago's Antonio Davis missed an open 17-footer, Ginobili penetrated into the lane. This time, he passed out to Duncan, who was standing alone just right of the key.
As Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich lunged at him, Duncan buried the 17-foot shot with 37.9 seconds remaining. After Hinrich followed by missing his own jump shot, the Bulls intentionally fouled Duncan, who made both of his free throws.
For the night, Duncan was 7 for 7 from the foul line. He also grabbed 13 rebounds.
"He's been making big shots since I've been here," said Tony Parker, who aided Duncan's effort with 25 points and eight assists. "He's our franchise player. That's what he's supposed to do."
Though turnovers (nine in the second half) again contributed to the Spurs' troubles, Popovich didn't chide his players for their sloppiness the way he did Wednesday.
Popovich instead complimented the Spurs for their ability to hang tough against a gritty, physical Chicago team. The experience the Spurs have gained from the string of close games — and the halfcourt execution required to win — could help the team come the playoffs, he said.
"At the beginning of the year, things came too easy," Popovich said. "I think we got into a little bit of a comfort zone. Our sense of urgency and sense of purpose kind of waned to some degree.
"With these sort of games, you start getting it back and realize nobody's that much better than anybody else in this league. It's about bringing it every night."
The Bulls appear to have also learned that lesson. Since a Dec. 6 loss to the Spurs dropped its record to 2-13, Chicago has steadily climbed up the standings.
Though still prone to mistakes because of their youth and inexperience — they committed 21 turnovers Friday — the Bulls have become one of the league's top defensive teams under the guidance of coach Scott Skiles. As a result, they're in position to make the playoffs for the first time since Michael Jordan left the franchise following the 1997-98 season.
"What they want to do is bang," Duncan said. "They want to hack and hold. I thought we did a great job of fighting through that. We didn't get on the refs too much. We just played the game all the way through."
While Chicago is not the same team it was three months ago, Duncan is not the same player. Since the All-Star break, he has played more demonstratively, showing significantly more explosiveness than he did when hip, ankle and knee injuries previously limited him.
"I still haven't hit a bank shot yet," said Duncan, who scored 19 points in the first half. "As soon as that comes back, I'll feel a lot better. But all in all, my body feels good, and I'm starting to get in a rhythm."
The Bulls noticed.
"He's always been a great low-post player, and you just have to give the guy credit," Davis said. "There's not much you can do about him."
Web Posted: 03/05/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030505.1C.BKNspurs.bulls.gamer.10877b8e3.html
For much of the past two weeks, the Spurs have seen a difference in Tim Duncan. He's pivoting without problem. His balance is better. He's stronger, more aggressive.
The Spurs aren't the only ones who have noticed. Duncan added to his late-game heroics for the week Friday night, scoring 31 points and hitting a go-ahead 17-footer with 37.9 seconds remaining to lift the Spurs to a 102-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the SBC Center.
"The more aggressive he is, the better we are," Robert Horry said. "We live and die with Tim."
The Spurs have been living dangerously of late. On Monday, they needed Duncan's 19-footer at the buzzer to beat Cleveland. Two nights later against Toronto, they allowed a 21-point lead in the second half to shrink to six before pulling out a victory.
The Spurs threw another scare into Friday's sellout crowd of 18,797 when their 17-point lead vaporized in the final minutes. Bulls guard Ben Gordon scored 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and made an 18-footer with 2:05 remaining to give Chicago a 94-92 lead. "He's Mr. Fourth Quarter," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said
Manu Ginobili, who scored 12 of his 19 points in the final quarter, drove for a layup to tie the game. After Chicago's Antonio Davis missed an open 17-footer, Ginobili penetrated into the lane. This time, he passed out to Duncan, who was standing alone just right of the key.
As Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich lunged at him, Duncan buried the 17-foot shot with 37.9 seconds remaining. After Hinrich followed by missing his own jump shot, the Bulls intentionally fouled Duncan, who made both of his free throws.
For the night, Duncan was 7 for 7 from the foul line. He also grabbed 13 rebounds.
"He's been making big shots since I've been here," said Tony Parker, who aided Duncan's effort with 25 points and eight assists. "He's our franchise player. That's what he's supposed to do."
Though turnovers (nine in the second half) again contributed to the Spurs' troubles, Popovich didn't chide his players for their sloppiness the way he did Wednesday.
Popovich instead complimented the Spurs for their ability to hang tough against a gritty, physical Chicago team. The experience the Spurs have gained from the string of close games — and the halfcourt execution required to win — could help the team come the playoffs, he said.
"At the beginning of the year, things came too easy," Popovich said. "I think we got into a little bit of a comfort zone. Our sense of urgency and sense of purpose kind of waned to some degree.
"With these sort of games, you start getting it back and realize nobody's that much better than anybody else in this league. It's about bringing it every night."
The Bulls appear to have also learned that lesson. Since a Dec. 6 loss to the Spurs dropped its record to 2-13, Chicago has steadily climbed up the standings.
Though still prone to mistakes because of their youth and inexperience — they committed 21 turnovers Friday — the Bulls have become one of the league's top defensive teams under the guidance of coach Scott Skiles. As a result, they're in position to make the playoffs for the first time since Michael Jordan left the franchise following the 1997-98 season.
"What they want to do is bang," Duncan said. "They want to hack and hold. I thought we did a great job of fighting through that. We didn't get on the refs too much. We just played the game all the way through."
While Chicago is not the same team it was three months ago, Duncan is not the same player. Since the All-Star break, he has played more demonstratively, showing significantly more explosiveness than he did when hip, ankle and knee injuries previously limited him.
"I still haven't hit a bank shot yet," said Duncan, who scored 19 points in the first half. "As soon as that comes back, I'll feel a lot better. But all in all, my body feels good, and I'm starting to get in a rhythm."
The Bulls noticed.
"He's always been a great low-post player, and you just have to give the guy credit," Davis said. "There's not much you can do about him."