MaNuMaNiAc
05-05-2005, 07:14 AM
Spurs find end game: Defense puts Nuggets away down stretch
Web Posted: 05/05/2005 01:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050505.1C.BKNspurs.gamer5.2429d3c04.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
With the Denver Nuggets continuing to claw late Wednesday, trading shot for shot, threatening to take the first-round series back to Colorado, the Spurs responded by raising their arms and sliding their feet.
Tim Duncan blocked Kenyon Martin, then did the same to Denver's other bruising forward, Nene. Nazr Mohammed tomahawked the ball out of Marcus Camby's hands. Brent Barry even threw back a shot by Andre Miller.
With the SBC Center's sellout crowd of 18,797 roaring, the Spurs closed out the Nuggets by doing what they do best. They defended.
After dropping the opener of the best-of-seven series, the Spurs ended it four games later with a 99-89 victory. They leaned on their defense, as well as the broad shoulders of their three stars, to advance to the Western Conference semifinals against Seattle. Game 1 is Sunday at the SBC Center.
"In the shower we were already talking about Seattle," Manu Ginobili said. "We have a bigger goal than beating Denver in the first round."
Tony Parker followed his Game 4 heroics with 21 points. Ginobili and Duncan each scored 18. Robert Horry came off the bench to make three 3-pointers and score 17 points. Mohammed added 10 points and 13 rebounds.
And still, the Nuggets threatened to postpone the Spurs' appointment with the Sonics, taking the lead with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter. The Spurs didn't take control until they forced Denver to miss its first six shots of the final quarter.
Like they did for much of the series, the Spurs forced the Nuggets to play a half-court game. When the series began, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had three defensive goals for his team: swarm Denver's talented young forward, Carmelo Anthony; limit the Nuggets' transition opportunities; and rebound.
"We thought if we did those three things we would have a chance to win games," Popovich said. "On the offensive end we don't know what the hell we're doing. But giving the ball to Tim Duncan is smart."
After watching Duncan score 39 points Monday, the Nuggets double-teamed him more aggressively. Once, with Camby and Miller attached to his hips, Duncan muscled between the defenders and tossed in a short hook as he was fouled.
Duncan found other ways to contribute: handing out five assists, taking 11 rebounds and blocking five shots. After the Nuggets made one last charge, closing within 90-83 with 1:49 left, Duncan jammed a lob from Horry, showing the type of lift in his right ankle he seemed to lack when the series started.
"Tim," Nuggets coach George Karl said, "is a strong, powerful force."
Popovich didn't want to hear any talk about the Sonics leading up to Wednesday's game.
"This is the first round of the playoffs, and nothing else exists except this game tonight," Popovich said Wednesday morning. "That's all we'll be thinking about."
Whether it was contentment or just general fatigue — the team arrived home about 5 a.m. Tuesday after its overtime victory in Game 4 — the Spurs struggled to regain their rhythm. After Parker let a pass from Ginobili sail into the second row of baseline seats because he wasn't looking, Popovich jumped up from his chair and screamed, "Wake up!"
The Spurs committed 12 turnovers in the first half, 17 overall.
"I thought we were in a hurry, not moving the ball, nor swinging the ball," Popovich said. "We were kind of taking shortcuts, trying to get a win quickly."
Horry, who helped win Game3 with a pair of late 3-pointers, sparked the Spurs near the end of the third quarter. After Glenn Robinson poked the ball out of Anthony's hands under Denver's basket, Horry ran it down as Martin knocked him into the first row of seats.
On the next trip down the floor, Horry buried a quick 3-pointer to give the Spurs a 71-65 lead. He later ball-faked his way into two more free throws when Nene fouled him on a dunk attempt. When Robinson buried another 3-pointer, the Spurs' lead had grown to 80-72.
"You can't win," Popovich said, "without a bench."
When the Spurs needed to hold strong, they did. Two of Duncan's blocks came in the first 2:07 of the final quarter.
Web Posted: 05/05/2005 01:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050505.1C.BKNspurs.gamer5.2429d3c04.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
With the Denver Nuggets continuing to claw late Wednesday, trading shot for shot, threatening to take the first-round series back to Colorado, the Spurs responded by raising their arms and sliding their feet.
Tim Duncan blocked Kenyon Martin, then did the same to Denver's other bruising forward, Nene. Nazr Mohammed tomahawked the ball out of Marcus Camby's hands. Brent Barry even threw back a shot by Andre Miller.
With the SBC Center's sellout crowd of 18,797 roaring, the Spurs closed out the Nuggets by doing what they do best. They defended.
After dropping the opener of the best-of-seven series, the Spurs ended it four games later with a 99-89 victory. They leaned on their defense, as well as the broad shoulders of their three stars, to advance to the Western Conference semifinals against Seattle. Game 1 is Sunday at the SBC Center.
"In the shower we were already talking about Seattle," Manu Ginobili said. "We have a bigger goal than beating Denver in the first round."
Tony Parker followed his Game 4 heroics with 21 points. Ginobili and Duncan each scored 18. Robert Horry came off the bench to make three 3-pointers and score 17 points. Mohammed added 10 points and 13 rebounds.
And still, the Nuggets threatened to postpone the Spurs' appointment with the Sonics, taking the lead with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter. The Spurs didn't take control until they forced Denver to miss its first six shots of the final quarter.
Like they did for much of the series, the Spurs forced the Nuggets to play a half-court game. When the series began, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had three defensive goals for his team: swarm Denver's talented young forward, Carmelo Anthony; limit the Nuggets' transition opportunities; and rebound.
"We thought if we did those three things we would have a chance to win games," Popovich said. "On the offensive end we don't know what the hell we're doing. But giving the ball to Tim Duncan is smart."
After watching Duncan score 39 points Monday, the Nuggets double-teamed him more aggressively. Once, with Camby and Miller attached to his hips, Duncan muscled between the defenders and tossed in a short hook as he was fouled.
Duncan found other ways to contribute: handing out five assists, taking 11 rebounds and blocking five shots. After the Nuggets made one last charge, closing within 90-83 with 1:49 left, Duncan jammed a lob from Horry, showing the type of lift in his right ankle he seemed to lack when the series started.
"Tim," Nuggets coach George Karl said, "is a strong, powerful force."
Popovich didn't want to hear any talk about the Sonics leading up to Wednesday's game.
"This is the first round of the playoffs, and nothing else exists except this game tonight," Popovich said Wednesday morning. "That's all we'll be thinking about."
Whether it was contentment or just general fatigue — the team arrived home about 5 a.m. Tuesday after its overtime victory in Game 4 — the Spurs struggled to regain their rhythm. After Parker let a pass from Ginobili sail into the second row of baseline seats because he wasn't looking, Popovich jumped up from his chair and screamed, "Wake up!"
The Spurs committed 12 turnovers in the first half, 17 overall.
"I thought we were in a hurry, not moving the ball, nor swinging the ball," Popovich said. "We were kind of taking shortcuts, trying to get a win quickly."
Horry, who helped win Game3 with a pair of late 3-pointers, sparked the Spurs near the end of the third quarter. After Glenn Robinson poked the ball out of Anthony's hands under Denver's basket, Horry ran it down as Martin knocked him into the first row of seats.
On the next trip down the floor, Horry buried a quick 3-pointer to give the Spurs a 71-65 lead. He later ball-faked his way into two more free throws when Nene fouled him on a dunk attempt. When Robinson buried another 3-pointer, the Spurs' lead had grown to 80-72.
"You can't win," Popovich said, "without a bench."
When the Spurs needed to hold strong, they did. Two of Duncan's blocks came in the first 2:07 of the final quarter.