Kori Ellis
04-12-2005, 12:14 AM
Double-OT games fail to break the Spurs' resolve
Web Posted: 04/12/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041205.1D.spurs.1cb9589a1.html
After somehow packing their worst loss in almost four years and back-to-back, come-from-behind, down-to-the-final-possession, double-overtime victories into a four-day trip, the Spurs stretched their legs and flew home Monday afternoon.
During their travels, they nearly set a franchise record for fewest points in a game, produced their highest consecutive-game total in more than 14 years and lost their starting center for the remainder of the regular season. Oh, and they also moved within one victory — or one Dallas loss — of locking down the Southwest Division title.
"The team is going to have a vote," coach Gregg Popovich said, "to see if they want Tim (Duncan) to come back for the playoffs or not."
While the Spurs hope to welcome back Duncan within the week, they've survived without him in recent days.
With Popovich resting Manu Ginobili, and Rasho Nesterovic joining Duncan and Devin Brown on the injured list, the Spurs rallied from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Golden State 136-134 in double overtime Sunday night. This came less than 24 hours after they rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 125-124, also in double overtime.
The Warriors had won eight consecutive games and 11 of their previous 12, beating Phoenix (twice), Sacramento (twice), Seattle and Houston. The Spurs, meanwhile, were playing their fourth game in five nights.
Before the weekend, the Spurs hadn't won even a single double-overtime game in more than 21 years.
"To win after two overtimes against the Clippers, short-handed without Timmy, Manu, Devin and Rasho showed a lot of character in our team," said Tony Parker, who totaled 62 points, 21 assists and 99 minutes in the two games. "We didn't want to give up. We came in and said if we stay close, we might have a chance to win."
In both games, the Spurs and their opponents repeatedly matched each other shot for shot until the final possession.
Ginobili scored 40 points in a career-high 50 minutes against the Clippers, once throwing in a turn-and-shoot 3-pointer late in regulation at the shot-clock buzzer. Robert Horry won Saturday's game by drilling a 3-pointer with 22.2 seconds left in the second overtime, then stuffing Clippers forward Mikki Moore at the rim just before the buzzer.
For the final 22 minutes, Popovich kept Horry, Parker, Ginobili and Tony Massenburg on the floor while subbing Brent Barry for Bruce Bowen for only a couple of short stretches.
"It's funny, there were a couple of times when the (Clippers) coach called timeout," Horry said, "and I was like, 'Thank you! How did you know I needed a blow?'"
The team arrived at its San Francisco hotel about 2 a.m. Sunday, and Popovich was concerned enough about burning out Ginobili that he decided not to play him that night.
Bowen, Barry and Horry helped make up for the All-Star's absence by scoring 17 points apiece.
Nazr Mohammed had 19 points, 15 rebounds — 10 of which were on the offensive glass — and three blocks while starting for Nesterovic. Massenburg, for the second consecutive night, provided productive minutes off the bench.
After falling behind 102-94 with 5:14 left in regulation, the Spurs made 14 of their next 15 shots.
Baron Davis, who scored 38 points for the Warriors, went back-and-forth with Parker until the Spurs' point guard banked in a difficult runner with his left hand with 2.9 seconds left in the second overtime period. After playing a career-high 53 minutes against the Clippers, Parker played 46 more against the Warriors.
"Tony was just stupendous as a leader," Popovich said. "I thought he really grew in character and showed the team what he has deep inside him."
Parker helped complete quite a turnaround for the Spurs, who began their trip with a 104-68 loss in Dallas on Thursday — their sixth consecutive defeat on the road.
"When are you going to figure out how can we play our (butts) off at home and play so badly on the road?" Popovich told the team during an early timeout Saturday. "Obviously, it's between your ears.
"We're not your leaders, so respect each other, play for each other, be responsible for each other, and figure it out."
Two games and four OTs later, they did.
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Memorable weekend
Notable facts and figures from the Spurs' double-overtime victories over the Los Angeles Clippers (125-124 on Saturday) and Golden State Warriors (136-134 on Sunday):
—Before the weekend, the Spurs never had played back-to-back double-OT games. In fact, the team previously had played seven regular season double-OT games in its 28-season NBA history, going 1-6.
—Sunday's game had the highest total score in the NBA this season, surpassing Phoenix's 136-128 victory over Utah on Feb. 14.
—The last NBA team to play multiple-OT games on back-to-back nights was the then-Vancouver Grizzlies, who played one double- and one triple-OT game Feb. 16-17, 1999. Like the Spurs, the Grizzlies won both games.
Web Posted: 04/12/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041205.1D.spurs.1cb9589a1.html
After somehow packing their worst loss in almost four years and back-to-back, come-from-behind, down-to-the-final-possession, double-overtime victories into a four-day trip, the Spurs stretched their legs and flew home Monday afternoon.
During their travels, they nearly set a franchise record for fewest points in a game, produced their highest consecutive-game total in more than 14 years and lost their starting center for the remainder of the regular season. Oh, and they also moved within one victory — or one Dallas loss — of locking down the Southwest Division title.
"The team is going to have a vote," coach Gregg Popovich said, "to see if they want Tim (Duncan) to come back for the playoffs or not."
While the Spurs hope to welcome back Duncan within the week, they've survived without him in recent days.
With Popovich resting Manu Ginobili, and Rasho Nesterovic joining Duncan and Devin Brown on the injured list, the Spurs rallied from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Golden State 136-134 in double overtime Sunday night. This came less than 24 hours after they rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 125-124, also in double overtime.
The Warriors had won eight consecutive games and 11 of their previous 12, beating Phoenix (twice), Sacramento (twice), Seattle and Houston. The Spurs, meanwhile, were playing their fourth game in five nights.
Before the weekend, the Spurs hadn't won even a single double-overtime game in more than 21 years.
"To win after two overtimes against the Clippers, short-handed without Timmy, Manu, Devin and Rasho showed a lot of character in our team," said Tony Parker, who totaled 62 points, 21 assists and 99 minutes in the two games. "We didn't want to give up. We came in and said if we stay close, we might have a chance to win."
In both games, the Spurs and their opponents repeatedly matched each other shot for shot until the final possession.
Ginobili scored 40 points in a career-high 50 minutes against the Clippers, once throwing in a turn-and-shoot 3-pointer late in regulation at the shot-clock buzzer. Robert Horry won Saturday's game by drilling a 3-pointer with 22.2 seconds left in the second overtime, then stuffing Clippers forward Mikki Moore at the rim just before the buzzer.
For the final 22 minutes, Popovich kept Horry, Parker, Ginobili and Tony Massenburg on the floor while subbing Brent Barry for Bruce Bowen for only a couple of short stretches.
"It's funny, there were a couple of times when the (Clippers) coach called timeout," Horry said, "and I was like, 'Thank you! How did you know I needed a blow?'"
The team arrived at its San Francisco hotel about 2 a.m. Sunday, and Popovich was concerned enough about burning out Ginobili that he decided not to play him that night.
Bowen, Barry and Horry helped make up for the All-Star's absence by scoring 17 points apiece.
Nazr Mohammed had 19 points, 15 rebounds — 10 of which were on the offensive glass — and three blocks while starting for Nesterovic. Massenburg, for the second consecutive night, provided productive minutes off the bench.
After falling behind 102-94 with 5:14 left in regulation, the Spurs made 14 of their next 15 shots.
Baron Davis, who scored 38 points for the Warriors, went back-and-forth with Parker until the Spurs' point guard banked in a difficult runner with his left hand with 2.9 seconds left in the second overtime period. After playing a career-high 53 minutes against the Clippers, Parker played 46 more against the Warriors.
"Tony was just stupendous as a leader," Popovich said. "I thought he really grew in character and showed the team what he has deep inside him."
Parker helped complete quite a turnaround for the Spurs, who began their trip with a 104-68 loss in Dallas on Thursday — their sixth consecutive defeat on the road.
"When are you going to figure out how can we play our (butts) off at home and play so badly on the road?" Popovich told the team during an early timeout Saturday. "Obviously, it's between your ears.
"We're not your leaders, so respect each other, play for each other, be responsible for each other, and figure it out."
Two games and four OTs later, they did.
--------------
Memorable weekend
Notable facts and figures from the Spurs' double-overtime victories over the Los Angeles Clippers (125-124 on Saturday) and Golden State Warriors (136-134 on Sunday):
—Before the weekend, the Spurs never had played back-to-back double-OT games. In fact, the team previously had played seven regular season double-OT games in its 28-season NBA history, going 1-6.
—Sunday's game had the highest total score in the NBA this season, surpassing Phoenix's 136-128 victory over Utah on Feb. 14.
—The last NBA team to play multiple-OT games on back-to-back nights was the then-Vancouver Grizzlies, who played one double- and one triple-OT game Feb. 16-17, 1999. Like the Spurs, the Grizzlies won both games.