Kori Ellis
05-19-2005, 12:14 AM
Spurs hope road stops in Seattle
Web Posted: 05/19/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA051905.1C.BKNspurs.sonics.adv6.289d2bce6.html
SEATTLE — As much as the Spurs enjoyed the experience, as much as they felt the warmth of their fans and fed off the energy in the SBC Center, Manu Ginobili made one thing perfectly clear before leaving the arena early Wednesday.
"We really don't want to come back," he said. "Our goal is to go to Seattle and finish it."
The Spurs will try to close out Seattle tonight at KeyArena, fully aware their 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal is tenuous. The Sonics have won all five of their home playoff games, the most recent two against the Spurs.
"I thought we were ready to play last time, and obviously we didn't do a very good job," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Hopefully, we'll have a different perspective."
The Spurs played with a renewed sense of urgency for much of the second half Tuesday. Ginobili led with 39 points — the most by a Spurs guard in a playoff game in more than two decades — and a team-high six assists while starting for only the second time this postseason.
Ginobili's 36 minutes, while efficient, were also exhausting. He felt fatigued Tuesday afternoon but thinks he will be fresh enough by tonight.
"I am tired and sore, too," Ginobili said. "Every game now is a battle, so you get hit a lot and hustle more than usual. You bring all the juice you have, so, of course, you finish worn down after the game."
More than a couple of his bruises have come courtesy of the Sonics' big men. After watching the Spurs' guards scoot to the rim unimpeded in the first two games, Seattle since has given up few easy baskets.
Near the end of Tuesday's game, Sonics forward Damien Wilkins cracked Ginobili hard to the court. It was the second flagrant foul Ginobili has absorbed in the playoffs. He shot 17 free throws Tuesday and is averaging 9.9 in the team's 10 playoff games.
"I'm thrilled Manu is still in one piece," Popovich said. "He seems to be a target, which is understandable. He's a great player, and he's tough enough to handle it. But (the Sonics) aren't going to back off."
Popovich said he expects to start Ginobili again tonight, regardless of whether Seattle forward Rashard Lewis returns to the lineup. Lewis, who underwent an MRI Wednesday and is questionable to play, has missed the past two games with a sprained left big toe, forcing the Sonics to use a three-guard lineup that carved up the Spurs for 71 points in Game 4.
The Spurs defended better Tuesday, having their big men hedge harder on Seattle's pick-and-rolls. As a result, the Sonics' guards had a tougher time turning the corner and getting enough separation to shoot.
"That was the difference in the game," Tim Duncan said. "We gave up a couple of layups to their big fellows, but we were able to contest the shots of Luke (Ridnour) and Antonio (Daniels) when they turned into the middle. We made things tougher for them."
It also wasn't the easiest night for the Spurs' point guard. Tony Parker missed nine of his first 10 shots and blew a defensive assignment that cost Duncan his third foul. He eventually found his stroke, making three consecutive 20-foot shots in the final 2:42 to help close out the victory.
"I struggled, so I tried to finish at least with something good," Parker said. "I'll try to play better Thursday."
History isn't on his side. In each of the past three seasons, Parker's production has dropped in the playoffs as teams adjust to his quickness and clog his lanes.
After averaging 23 points and six assists in this series' first three games, Parker has totaled 23 points (on 9-of-26 shooting) and five assists in the past two. On Tuesday, he looked unsure whether to take the open jump shot, penetrate or try to pass.
"It's not that Tony isn't playing aggressive," Popovich said. "The opportunities just aren't there for him. He's trying to do the best job he can, move the ball and get people involved."
Said Ginobili: "We trust him. I think he's going to come through in Game 6."
The Sonics have similar hopes for themselves. Picked to finish near the bottom of the Western Conference, they won the Northwest Division, then ripped through Sacramento in five games in the first round. They have continued to play confident and aggressive, despite losing Lewis and forward Vladimir Radmanovic to injuries.
"We know we can beat this team," Nick Collison said, "but it's not going to just happen."
The Spurs realized as much during their previous visit here.
"We don't want to come back expecting to win Game 7," Ginobili said. "Game 7 is like a lottery. You don't know what might happen."
Web Posted: 05/19/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA051905.1C.BKNspurs.sonics.adv6.289d2bce6.html
SEATTLE — As much as the Spurs enjoyed the experience, as much as they felt the warmth of their fans and fed off the energy in the SBC Center, Manu Ginobili made one thing perfectly clear before leaving the arena early Wednesday.
"We really don't want to come back," he said. "Our goal is to go to Seattle and finish it."
The Spurs will try to close out Seattle tonight at KeyArena, fully aware their 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal is tenuous. The Sonics have won all five of their home playoff games, the most recent two against the Spurs.
"I thought we were ready to play last time, and obviously we didn't do a very good job," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Hopefully, we'll have a different perspective."
The Spurs played with a renewed sense of urgency for much of the second half Tuesday. Ginobili led with 39 points — the most by a Spurs guard in a playoff game in more than two decades — and a team-high six assists while starting for only the second time this postseason.
Ginobili's 36 minutes, while efficient, were also exhausting. He felt fatigued Tuesday afternoon but thinks he will be fresh enough by tonight.
"I am tired and sore, too," Ginobili said. "Every game now is a battle, so you get hit a lot and hustle more than usual. You bring all the juice you have, so, of course, you finish worn down after the game."
More than a couple of his bruises have come courtesy of the Sonics' big men. After watching the Spurs' guards scoot to the rim unimpeded in the first two games, Seattle since has given up few easy baskets.
Near the end of Tuesday's game, Sonics forward Damien Wilkins cracked Ginobili hard to the court. It was the second flagrant foul Ginobili has absorbed in the playoffs. He shot 17 free throws Tuesday and is averaging 9.9 in the team's 10 playoff games.
"I'm thrilled Manu is still in one piece," Popovich said. "He seems to be a target, which is understandable. He's a great player, and he's tough enough to handle it. But (the Sonics) aren't going to back off."
Popovich said he expects to start Ginobili again tonight, regardless of whether Seattle forward Rashard Lewis returns to the lineup. Lewis, who underwent an MRI Wednesday and is questionable to play, has missed the past two games with a sprained left big toe, forcing the Sonics to use a three-guard lineup that carved up the Spurs for 71 points in Game 4.
The Spurs defended better Tuesday, having their big men hedge harder on Seattle's pick-and-rolls. As a result, the Sonics' guards had a tougher time turning the corner and getting enough separation to shoot.
"That was the difference in the game," Tim Duncan said. "We gave up a couple of layups to their big fellows, but we were able to contest the shots of Luke (Ridnour) and Antonio (Daniels) when they turned into the middle. We made things tougher for them."
It also wasn't the easiest night for the Spurs' point guard. Tony Parker missed nine of his first 10 shots and blew a defensive assignment that cost Duncan his third foul. He eventually found his stroke, making three consecutive 20-foot shots in the final 2:42 to help close out the victory.
"I struggled, so I tried to finish at least with something good," Parker said. "I'll try to play better Thursday."
History isn't on his side. In each of the past three seasons, Parker's production has dropped in the playoffs as teams adjust to his quickness and clog his lanes.
After averaging 23 points and six assists in this series' first three games, Parker has totaled 23 points (on 9-of-26 shooting) and five assists in the past two. On Tuesday, he looked unsure whether to take the open jump shot, penetrate or try to pass.
"It's not that Tony isn't playing aggressive," Popovich said. "The opportunities just aren't there for him. He's trying to do the best job he can, move the ball and get people involved."
Said Ginobili: "We trust him. I think he's going to come through in Game 6."
The Sonics have similar hopes for themselves. Picked to finish near the bottom of the Western Conference, they won the Northwest Division, then ripped through Sacramento in five games in the first round. They have continued to play confident and aggressive, despite losing Lewis and forward Vladimir Radmanovic to injuries.
"We know we can beat this team," Nick Collison said, "but it's not going to just happen."
The Spurs realized as much during their previous visit here.
"We don't want to come back expecting to win Game 7," Ginobili said. "Game 7 is like a lottery. You don't know what might happen."