Game Blog: Spurs @ Magic - Dec. 23

[Spurologist]

Howard goes out, and the Spurs lead dwindles.

It's gonna be a rough game especially when Arenas has his best game in years.

the lead only dwindled when Arenas came in.....looks to be the X factor in this game

[timtonymanu]

Well that lead went away quick. Need more from the bench.

[DPG21920]

If Arenas plays well, that is what will make Orlando dangerous. Having a guy like that coming off the bench, while having a pretty stacked starting line up is pretty deadly on any given night.

[Fireball]

Get Quinn out of the game, he fucking sucks. And Gilbert Arenas is an allstar, guys need to wake the fuck up on defense and realize this.

Quinn plays solid minutes both on defense and offense since George is injured ... I don't know what you are talking about

[ploto]

There is no way that .2 did not run off the clock prior to that last shot.

There was .8 due to the shot clock violation.

And the Magic are up by 2.

[arodz]

No 1st quarter fast break points. Not good.

[Capt Bringdown]

Well, the new Magic players making a pretty good impact in this game already.

[NASpurs]

Tony's shot selection and our overall horrid defense is the reason we're losing. No fucking excuse to give up 28 points in one quarter.

Chill out Nazi. The game isn't as bad as you're making it seem. Geez

[Spurs Brazil]

damn, another 3

[HarlemHeat37]

Horrible D from Quinn, just standing there..that's all Ryan Anderson does..

[Libri]

Seriously... at what % is Neal making his floater?

82 games has Neal's close shot selection at .750. If those close shots include the floater then it's probably in the 60s or 70s.

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF was that

[DPG21920]

Spurs are playing awful.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

What kind of pass was that from Blair?

[Texas_Ranger]

yea, lets shoot threes.

[Death In June]

When is hill supposed to be back?

[arodz]

Thanks Matt.

[Spurs Brazil]

Yes Manu

[janetcn12]

Spurs...c'mon..get balling

[timtonymanu]

The bench is hurting us right now.

[CFH]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[L.I.T]

Did not like offensive possession.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Good Manu shot :flag:

[Refocus]

We should probably play a real line-up right now..

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Here's where Spurs go on a run.....

[Spurs Brazil]

Neal playing awful so far

[timtonymanu]

The bench just shat away what our starters were able to do. 7 pt lead now.

[ploto]

If Bonner is going to pass up open three's, why is he in there?

[Spurologist]

Neal sucking on both ends.......

[dbestpro]

Our bench is flat and looks gassed already.

[HarlemHeat37]

Turkoglu should never penetrate past anybody, he's a terrible player..Spurs' D struggling, as usual, Manu with a stupid gamble, as usual..

Neal's D has been atrocious for the 2nd night in a row..

This lineup is bad, change it up..

[Spurs Brazil]

Tiago there would be nice to create some movement on O and help on D

[Capt Bringdown]

This is getting ugly.

[timtonymanu]

This is where not having Hill hurts.

[Chieflion]

Neal's shot has been way off. Guess it wasn't his night. But he is the only option the Spurs have till January.

[DPG21920]

Gross. Spurs making Hedo look good. Which he only has been one season of his career. There are so many things going wrong right now it is hard to describe. It is almost as if they came into the game expecting to lose.

The energy, except for one little stretch in the 1st, has been embarrassingly bad.

[L.I.T]

tbh, Magic are due for a good game. Spurs just have to keep it close and hope for an opportunity in the 4th, chemistry has a tendency to fall apart in crunch time situations for newly remade teams.

[BOHOLANO#21]

freakin parker is not passing today plus his defense sucks!

[HarlemHeat37]

I'd like to see Pop get Jefferson in the game right now, and run some fucking plays for him..

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Splitter anyone?

[BackHome]

Someone please tell Bonner he can either do a layup or dunk the ball when no one is around him and the freakin baskett!!!!!!!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

Magic FG-57%

[Blackjack]

BREAK OUT THE ZONE!!! :downspin:

[Texas_Ranger]

Lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner and one!!!

[CFH]

Bonner AND 1!

[ace3g]

lol Bonner attacks the basket

[ShoogarBear]

LMAO Bonner!

[NASpurs]

Bonner and 1 over Howard :lmao

[Chieflion]

Bonner and 1!

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Bonner and 1! That's a rare play seeing Bonner drive into the hoop.

[BoricuaCJA]

Ha Ha Bonner on D12. lol

[Libri]

Wow, how did Bonner get that basket? hehe

[Spurologist]

whattapass by manu

Bonner and1:wow :wow

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol Bonner, what a finish..

Great cut to help Manu, great finish..

[DPG21920]

:lmao Bonner. That was a great catch and finish from that pass.

[Uriel]

Nice one Matt. :lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner, grab the damn ball

[Capt Bringdown]

Too much standing around on O.

[DPG21920]

Bonner didn't know a Spurs touched it.

[hitmanyr2k]

:lol @ that constant moving screen Howard put on Ginobili. That guy should have 4 fouls right now.

[Muser]

Damn Bonner

[DPG21920]

Manu, so stupid.

[Drachen]

Splitter time

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Meh, I hate Dwight Howard.

[NASpurs]

Foul on Dice

[suitedkings]

F'n Bonner...shoulda grabbed the loose ball. never leave it up to the refs.

[HarlemHeat37]

Manu and McDyess with horrible swipes..somebody grab him, if you're going to foul..

If the game is close, Pop better pull out the Hack-a-Howard..

[NASpurs]

I can't wait until we see the Spurs hack D Howard :lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Neal 333333333333333333333333333

[ace3g]

Neal 3

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Choo choo

[CFH]

Neal 3! Get it going

[Spurologist]

Manu, so stupid.

really couldn't do much there.....he missed the hack that normally could create TOs

nnnnnneaaaalllllllll 3333333333333

[DPG21920]

Neal has a short term memory. Gil is killing it.

[Libri]

Good shot by Neal, the pass wasn't the best by Manu.

[CFH]

That was way off by Dice

[Spurs Brazil]

Quinn defense is a joke

[suitedkings]

Hack a Howard

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

And the Hack-a-Howard begins.....

[timtonymanu]

Quinn is getting owned.

[HarlemHeat37]

Bonner fouling Howard correctly, not allowing him to get a good shot..

[Capt Bringdown]

Dice looks like shit this year.

[Spurologist]

why the fuck doesn't splitter get a look against Howard?????

[Chieflion]

Come on, get Splitter in there.

[DPG21920]

Dice looks like shit this year.

Not really.

[suitedkings]

If you're just gonna foul, Splitter might as well get him to time on the court.

[hitmanyr2k]

Bonner on Howard is dipshit strategy.

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner 333333333333333333333333333333

[janetcn12]

Get TS and Tp in please

[DPG21920]

Spurs need to scratch and claw and keep this game close.

[CFH]

Bonner 3!

[Spurologist]

bbbbbbboooooonnnnnnnnneeeeeerrrrrrrrr 33333333333333333333

[ace3g]

Bonner 3!!!

[HarlemHeat37]

Bonner is carrying the Spurs right now, on both ends..hopefully he can do this all night:lol..

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

http://themikedowney.com/images/redrocket.jpg

[Fireball]

i hate that Dice needs several minutes to heat up ... he plays awful

[L.I.T]

Too easy for Howard. Got right to his spot.

[DPG21920]

Good defense by Neal on Gil there. Howard is really sharp tonight. Very quick and decisive moves.

[Libri]

Much improved offense by Howard.

[dbestpro]

Dice playing like Blair. :(

[Texas_Ranger]

Dice and Queen get out!!!!

[Capt Bringdown]

Dice is GARBAGE

[duncan228]

Spurs need to scratch and claw and keep this game close.

:tu Gotta be the way. Grind it out, keep it close, and give themselves a chance to pull out the win.

[Spurs Brazil]

Quinn is KILLING us

[ShoogarBear]

Manu, Bonner, Neal, and Quinn?

Well, guess it's no secret what the offensive strategy is.

[L.I.T]

Oh. That's just a little sick.

[DPG21920]

Great rotations by the Spurs, just Dwight being a beast.

[TE]

Jesus christ

[timtonymanu]

Manu is getting overplayed but we have no choice.

[dbestpro]

Quinn now playing like Blair. :(

[HarlemHeat37]

McDyess looks like he isn't prepared for this game tonight..sucks that Splitter can't get a look after the game he had last night..Splitter's flopping would bother Howard IMO..

Howard should have more than 2 fouls, he's getting away with push offs on the boards, and moving screens..

:lol Did you guys actually think Quinn would play well vs. good defensive teams?..he's not an NBA 12-man player, he can be exploited by any decent coach..

[Chieflion]

Merry Christmas...

[Cessation]

first bonner than quin guarding howard lol

[4>0rings]

It's like watching Andre the Giant out there playing against a bunch of Sequ's when Howard gets the ball.

[TE]

Dice looks like crap right now. Get him out and insert Splitter!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

Like I said, Splitter's game last night was rewarded with more sitting on the bench. Typical.

[Uriel]

Oh my. T-Mobile's ripping off Get a Mac ads.

[NASpurs]

I hope Dice has like 5 fouls before the fourth quarter. Maybe then Pop will give Splitter some minutes.

[Muser]

Agree about Howard, the guy is setting a shit load of moving screens and push offs.

[Spurs Brazil]

Magic FG-59%

[janetcn12]

What a crab Spurs...

[TE]

Pop needs Duncan to slap him out of his delusion, please insert Splitter in there. Please. Even if it costs us, at least you allow him to get a feel for playing a very good player!

[Spurologist]

If Quinn/Bonner/Ime aren't making shots, they are virtually useless

[Fireball]

Like I said, Splitter's game last night was rewarded with more sitting on the bench. Typical.

Dice said it after the game against Denver that he played only limited minutes because Orlando and Dwight Howard were coming up next ... but Dice is not in the game mentally

[Spurs Brazil]

OMG Ime

[NASpurs]

Udoka :lmao

[CFH]

Udoka in, yuck...

[Texas_Ranger]

Udoka...kill meeee!!!!!!!!

[Spurologist]

Ime is in........take note

[dbestpro]

Like I said, Splitter's game last night was rewarded with more sitting on the bench. Typical.

The only reason Splitter played last night was because the game was televised live in Brazil.

[CFH]

RJ jumper

[timtonymanu]

Udoka in. Gross.

[DPG21920]

Finally a play for RJ.

[ShoogarBear]

Udoka in, problem solved.

[Spurs Brazil]

Yes TD

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Timmah!

[CFH]

Timmy!

[NASpurs]

Udoka's time won't last long. Blair coming in.

[Texas_Ranger]

fuck your ass refs... Dwight will never get a foul!

[DPG21920]

60% FG. Foul on Dwight damn it.

[Spurologist]

refs scared to call Howard for a foul....pathetic

[ShoogarBear]

WTF, Tim?

[DPG21920]

Ummm, Tim.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Why did Arenas have to show up in this game?

[Spurs Brazil]

The only reason Splitter played last night was because the game was televised live in Brazil.

Today game is also live here

[janetcn12]

c'mon Spurs...Get the magic out of the way

[Tp9gospursgo]

Put Tiago in!

[DPG21920]

Mavs are the streak busters.

Spurs are the shooting slump busters.

[Refocus]

Smallball with Udoka.. the fuck.

[Muser]

What the fuck refs?

[Spurs Brazil]

:lol Ime

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

"I'm surprised we haven't seen Tiago Splitter" - Announcer

[DPG21920]

Huge shot from Gary.

[CFH]

Neal 3!

[Spurologist]

Ime on Bass....really???

Nnnnnnnneeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaalllllll 33333333333333333

[duncan228]

Maybe Reggie will ask Pop about Splitter. :lol

[Capt Bringdown]

Magic actually not a good matchup for the Spurs.

[Libri]

Even the camera guy wants Splitter in. lol

[CFH]

Fuckin' Arenas...

[timtonymanu]

of course Arenas shows up tonight.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Duncan continues to do work.

[HarlemHeat37]

Wow, Arenas obviously had to have the best game he's going to have all season, tonight..

[dbestpro]

So Udoka is better than Splitter at this point of the game.

Pop. :(

[DPG21920]

Spurs are incapable of getting stops right now. They won't call the third on Dwight. Go away from that...

[4>0rings]

They aren't going to call that foul on Howard, Pop.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Motherfuck. Magic keep making baskets. They'll cool down.....

[hitmanyr2k]

Spurs looking like the Suns right now :lol Can't stop a damn thing.

[NASpurs]

I love how the Magic can't miss a shot tonight. It's not the first time we've seen that from another team and the Spurs still win.

[Muser]

For fucks sake, JR Smith last night and now Gilbert?

[Uriel]

The Magic can't miss. Maybe Pop should try a zone again.

[Spurs Brazil]

Magic FG will hit 70% before the half

[Chieflion]

They just won't miss.

[Das Texan]

Fucking crooked refs tonight.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Brutal brutal game so far. Everyone on the Spurs is cold and can't get anything inside or outside going.

[Trainwreck2100]

Get it to 6 before the half

[Rummpd]

Why the hell the small ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

Seriously. Fuck getting the 3rd foul and just play some damn basketball.

[DPG21920]

They just won't miss.

Do NBA players usually miss versus cones :lol

[duncan228]

Magic will cool off...

[Texas_Ranger]

65%... wow. This defense sucks balls.

[Muser]

Dwight has been mauling timmy without any calls..

[dbestpro]

Today game is also live here

Yeah, but they wanted to show the Nene - Splitter thing. Pressure came from league office. Pressure is off so Pop puts Splitter back in the box.

[Spurs Brazil]

Magic can't miss because we're a step slow on D just like the Nuggets game yesterday

[TE]

Ridiculous...just freaking ridiculous. Spurs are not playing that bad of defense and still Arenas is making shot after shot. Give me a fucking break basketball gods

[Tp9gospursgo]

Wow, Arenas obviously had to have the best game he's going to have all season, tonight..

:depressed

[mfanatic]

and this is why we won't win shit, tiago is obviously ready to play, put him in the fucking game Pop

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Worst thing is that Pop will put Blair in after the break and the Magic's lead will only grow. Blair has no business in this game.

[TE]

Magic will cool off...

Lets hope that.

[Spurologist]

Spurs looking like the Suns right now :lol Can't stop a damn thing.

Magic are launching contested shots and they are going in.......I'll agree to a degree with Ime on Bass....

:pctoss

Is pop trying to buildup Splitter's hunger or what.....really unfathomable

[Tp9gospursgo]

65%... wow. This defense sucks balls.

Not really. Arenas is just hitting crazy shots. imo

[Death In June]

RJ playing like old RJ.

[AidanNelson2009]

Howard and Arenas are killing us, this is getting ugly, they can't miss.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Fuck this game

[DPG21920]

This one got away quickly. Spurs need to have a decent end to this quarter. They can't dig themselves deeper, not with the way the Magic are scoring.

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair can't get a damn tip. He's awful

[Rummpd]

They will not call anything any end and everything against Spurs.

[hitmanyr2k]

Van Gundy using his bigs against small ball. Imagine that.

[L.I.T]

Tiago won't help with the perimeter D and rotations. Though, why he isn't in when we're getting mauled on the interior I have no fucking clue.

[NASpurs]

It would be nice to see some transition D

[DPG21920]

Thank goodness the Magic are missing at the line. Spurs would be in a world of hurt if they were hitting.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Manu needs to step it up right now.

[Spurologist]

under 10 at the half would be a plus

[CFH]

Shit, this is getting ugly...

[janetcn12]

They must be tired from yesterday's game. Can't blame them...Just give encouragement..Go Spurs Go

[AidanNelson2009]

10 pts down, i think this game is already beyond us, considering we played last night. Orlando are due for a good game, we are due for a loss.

[Muser]

lol ryan fucking anderson getting calls that duncan can't get.

[CFH]

Rj 3

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Jefferson just shut up the crowd.

[Spurologist]

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj 333333333333333333333333333

stops the bleeding

[dbestpro]

Time for another Blair is worthless post. I really think Pop is still pissed because Splitter got hurt in the preseason. He just holds a grudge way too long.

[hitmanyr2k]

That pull-up three off the steal was Pippen-esque. Nice shot by Reddick.

[DPG21920]

TP sucking again.

[Capt Bringdown]

We aint winning this one, folks.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Where are the calls?

[Death In June]

Parker is making terrible decisions.

[Spurs Brazil]

TD and one!!

[Simple Jack]

Waaaaaahhhh :whine

[ace3g]

timmy and 1

[CFH]

FINALLY a call

[Tp9gospursgo]

Now he gets the call when Dwight is on the bench....

[Libri]

That was a great pass by Blair.

[DPG21920]

Finally Timmy gets a call. Tim is such a beast. He just gets pounded and gets nothing for it usually.

[Uriel]

Nice one Timmay. Now make that free throw and get a stop.

[Muser]

Manu turnover leads to a 3, fuck this.

[Spurologist]

beautiful passing AND1 TD!!!!

howard no longer smiling :rollin

[NASpurs]

Just keep this one close. That's all.

[4>0rings]

Nail teh 3!

[Rummpd]

Get this at the end of half

[Death In June]

Wtf manu?

[Sisk]

I'll take a 9 point deficit for sure..

[CFH]

Down 9 at the half, could be worse I guess

[HarlemHeat37]

Having Hill and Anderson would have been huge tonight, with such a poor effort from the other offensive weapons..hopefully George gets back ASAP..

[Trainwreck2100]

fuck they needed that manu

[Muser]

Wow Tim got a call

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Not a bad way to end the final minute of the 2nd for the Spurs, but overall, a horrendous start. Magic are going down in the second half. No way can they shoot such a high shooting percentage again.

[ace3g]

In games like these when things really aren't going our way, I don't see why Pop can't play Splitter for a few minutes to see if he can change the momentum

being down only 9....could be worse

[AidanNelson2009]

9 down at the half, not that bad, we are still in it.

[L.I.T]

Eh, at least its single digits going into half.

[Osnofa]

Hmm, Manu could have shot the 3...

[Spurs Brazil]

Down 9 at the half. It could be much worst.

Let's hope the D show up in the 2nd half

[DPG21920]

Spurs needed that one to go down. Lets hope the Spurs come out a lot better and Pop stops messing around. His rotations have been bad tonight. He needs to ride his guys a little harder minutes wise, especially the big three tonight in my opinion.

Neal showing signs of life along with Bonner. Use those guys tonight.

[Fireball]

under 10 at the half would be a plus

mission accomplished

[Ditty]

Spurs are a second half team faggots

[janetcn12]

Hope we play better in 2nd half

[YODA]

Not a big thing, but anyone notice the bell went out off and there was still time on clock at halftime??

[NASpurs]

Someone give me the over and under on Pop playing zone defense in the second half.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Hopefully we make a good adjustment at halftime.

[Sofaking]

Blair doing the lil things

[Spurologist]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f4Fo_GlfJs8/RsUNPHxJtdI/AAAAAAAAAG4/eDbjd6kFdKE/s400/tiago+splitter.bmp