Game Blog: Rockets @ Spurs - Jan. 29

[Spurs Brazil]

I think we may see JA

[Capt Bringdown]

I don't see why RJ couldn't do this more often. He's just exuding confidence and aggression tonight.

[cutewizard]

RJ can play!!!!!

hehehehehehehe

[Danny.Zhu]

Time for JA I think.

[cutewizard]

the fantastic four will say:

ITS CLOBERRING TIMEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[CFH]

Hill to the line for 3 free throws

[cutewizard]

GO spursssssssss GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[timtonymanu]

JA please!

[timtonymanu]

JA checking in

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol martin must be really depressed right now

anderson!!

[Spurologist]

Anderson sighting

[TDomination]

Anderson in!!!!

[cutewizard]

mr anderson, where are you?

hehehehehehe

[Capt Bringdown]

Anderson sighting!

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Ja!

[L.I.T]

Awesome, we get 3 minutes of JA.

[CFH]

JA in, sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[Tp9gospursgo]

Anderson!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

Hill with a great 4th quarter after bad play in the first 3

[Capt Bringdown]

Anderson's return has to put pressure on Neal, eh? Maybe he felt some tonight, 1 for 7.

[CFH]

WTF Splitter :lol

[DesignatedT]

wow that is just an awful move splitter.

[cutewizard]

Misterrrrrrrrrrrr Anderssonnnnnnnnnnnn

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol splitter rofl

[janetcn12]

Spurs leading by 14...yes we are going to win again...

[L.I.T]

It's amazing how Splitter seems to just have everything in a package except the ability to finish and generate offense.

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF Tiago

[Libri]

Come on Scola! I need some blocks!

[siraulo23]

solid win

great to see anderson out there and splitter getting some early minutes

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

splitter should learn to make a layup before trying anything else

[jestersmash]

Tiago trying to do his best Manu impression with a behind the back dribble drive.

[Fireball]

The move by Splitter looked pretty good, but the finish is just not there yet ...

[timtonymanu]

Thank God the Rockets didnt score 120 points again unlike last time.

[Fireball]

Quinn and Owens in as well ...

[cutewizard]

Go Anderson

cmon splitttereeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr

[timtonymanu]

Owen and Anderson in together. If it werent for their jerseys, I wouldn't tell who was who.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Damn anderson should have took that 3

[cutewizard]

Quinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[barbacoataco]

Spurs turned it up a notch and Houston doesn't have the offense to keep up.

[BoricuaCJA]

OMG Anderson!

[cutewizard]

Tiagoooooooooooooooooooo

come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[timtonymanu]

Anderson good D

[Spurs Brazil]

Adelman rotations are terrible. Martin with 10pts in the 1st quarter and he didn't play in the 2nd quarter. Lost all his rhythm and didn't score in the 2nd half

[CFH]

Ja!

[DPG21920]

Step back J. Nice.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Anderson with the step back

[cutewizard]

go go go go go SPurssssssssssssssssssssss

[timtonymanu]

Anderson!!!!! Man its great to see him back.

[L.I.T]

Decent move, nice board by JA.

[Tp9gospursgo]

40 wins!

[Spurologist]

Win!

[cutewizard]

Blair with 3 blocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CFH]

40-7 :king

[timtonymanu]

RRT time! I'm excited. Don't dissapoint, Spurs.

[Fireball]

nice win ... kept the Rockets below 100 points ... now its time for the RRT!!!

[cutewizard]

mr anderson with a rebound!!!!!

lol

hehehehehehe


good spurs win

[Martin R]

fucking clinic

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Welcome back to JA with the nice Manu-style step-back. :toast

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Another day, another Spurs win :toast

[easy7]

40 wins money.

[cutewizard]

best half in franchise history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Libri]

Blair with 3 blocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent! I needed those.

[Spurs Brazil]

Good win. TP, Manu and Blair with great game. Hill with a big 4th quarter

Nice to see JA back.

Now on to the rodeo trip

[cutewizard]

its 40 winssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


lets celebrate Spurs fans

[cutewizard]

bring on the rodeo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cutewizard]

freakin shit

we are the best in the nba

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

This team is already elite in many ways. The D needs to improve, and the intensity is not always there (understandable given where they are, and the way they can find an extra gear when necessary), but this team is going deep in the playoffs. :D

[cutewizard]

oh God its good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

[cutewizard]

beaaaaatttttttttttttttt LAAAAAAAAA

[urunobili]

Welcome back to JA with the nice Manu-style step-back. :toast

:drool:

[cutewizard]

this is my 201st post yehey

and the 4oth win

gos Spurs go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

And I forgot RJ, played very well today.

[cutewizard]

clinical Spurs

[Banzai]

Good game Spurs..going to be a fun when the playoffs arrive that's for sure.

[easy7]

Now, rodeo trip time. :flag: :flag: :flag:

[awktalk]

Blair was key to the game:
34:45 min
14 pts
12 rb/(4 offensive)
3 ass
3 blks
1 steal
only 3 FOULS
3 TOs

if we can get anything close to that from him in the playoffs this team is almost impossible to beat.

[janetcn12]

Great win...

[Banzai]

Blair was key to the game:
34:45 min
14 pts
12 rb/(4 offensive)
3 ass
3 blks
1 steal
only 3 FOULS
3 TOs

if we can get anything close to that from him in the playoffs this team is almost impossible to beat.

he's definitely playing better.

[jestersmash]

Tomorrow's LA/Boston game should be killer. LA will turn it up for Boston, and vice versa. Should be some badass playoff-type basketball.

[roycrikside]

Tomorrow's LA/Boston game should be killer. LA will turn it up for Boston, and vice versa. Should be some badass playoff-type basketball.

I'm definitely rooting for LA. I want to have as much cushion for HCA throughout the playoffs as possible.

[roycrikside]

I'm definitely rooting for LA. I want to have as much cushion for HCA throughout the playoffs as possible.

Of course it'd be nice if the game goes 10 OTs and a couple of guys pass out from exhaustion.... :-)

[tdunk21]

missed the game....was checkin scores on the phone....looks like neal had a bad shooting game and impressive stats from RJ, blair and hill......good win ......40-7....

looks like everyone is ready for the rodeo road trip.....

[timtonymanu]

I'm definitely rooting for LA. I want to have as much cushion for HCA throughout the playoffs as possible.

The more separation from LA, the better. I always root against them.

[duncan228]

Some post-game quotes.


Spurs ground Rockets for 18th straight home win (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2011012924)
By Paul J. Weber

The San Antonio Spurs are the NBA’s first team to 40 wins, and got there faster than the four-time champions ever have before.

Maybe three weeks on the road will make things more challenging.

Manu Ginobili scored 22 points and the Spurs hit 40 victories by winning their 18th in a row at home, beating the Houston Rockets 108-95 on Saturday night.

“I’m just speechless right now,” said Spurs center DeJuan Blair, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds. “Because it’s just such an honor to be on this team, on this quest for greatness, and we’ve just got to keep it going.”

Richard Jefferson added 18 points in what was San Antonio’s last game at the AT&T Center for three weeks. The Spurs (40-7) embark on their annual Rodeo Road Trip starting Tuesday, testing the NBA’s best record against nine straight road games.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has traditionally used the trip as a distraction-free chance to work out the kinks. But with the NBA’s best record, the Spurs have few obvious faults—and are so far ahead in the Southwest Division (9 games) that they could lose every game on the trip and still be at the top.

Luis Scola led the Rockets with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Houston trailed just 76-71 after the third quarter before being buried by a flurry of 3s, and finished the game looking winded a night after nearly overcoming a 25-point deficit in a loss to Dallas.

“They don’t beat themselves,” Rockets forward Shane Battier said. “We were right there with them for a half. We played pretty good basketball, then we had that lull where we couldn’t answer their 3s and their big shots that created separation.”

Houston has lost four of six.

Tim Duncan, in jeopardy of missing the All-Star game for the first time in his career, had 12 points and seven rebounds as every Spurs starter was in double figures. Fans didn’t vote in Duncan as an All-Star starter for the first time in 11 seasons, and he must wait this week to see whether coaches vote him in as a reserve.

Blair’s double-double was his eighth this season. Tony Parker added 17 points and George Hill had 14 as the Spurs moved two wins from tying the franchise record of 20 straight home wins, set during the 1989-90 season.

“You keep competing, executing and trying to improve,” Popovich said. “It doesn’t matter if you have the best record or the worst record.”

Kyle Lowry had 15 points for the Rockets. Houston’s road trip won’t get any easier: the Rockets head to Los Angeles on Tuesday to play the Lakers, then finish another back-to-back Wednesday at Utah.

Kevin Martin and Chuck Hayes added 10 apiece for Houston.

“We were in the game all they way into the third quarter. But they were too solid. They are too solid,” Scola said. “Most solid team in the NBA. They’re the best team in the NBA, period.”

The Spurs went 5-for-8 behind the 3-point line the fourth, including Ginobili sinking two with a close hand in his face both times.

Hill’s 3-pointer with 7:32 left capped a 7-0 Spurs run and stretched the lead to double-digits for good.

Three months into the season, the Spurs are already just 10 wins shy of matching their 50-win total from a season ago.

San Antonio’s road trip won’t be as grueling a gauntlet as years past, either: Only three of the nine games (Portland, the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago) are against teams with winning records before the Spurs return home Feb. 23 against Oklahoma City.

NOTES: The Spurs recalled rookie swingman James Anderson before the game. The Spurs’ first-round pick hasn’t played since a stress fracture emerged in his right foot six games into the season. … Spurs F Matt Bonner missed his seventh straight game with a sore right knee.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2011012924

[duncan228]

San Antonio Spurs 108, Houston Rockets 95 (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/):
by Andrew A. McNeill
48 Minutes of Hell

AT&T CENTER — Houston Rockets guard Kevin Martin is considered by some to be one of the most efficient scorers in the league (http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/6923/kevin-martin-the-adam-dunn-of-the-nba). He started out Saturday night’s game against the Spurs proving those theories correct, scoring 10 points in the first quarter on 4-6 shooting.

Martin was 2-2 from the 3-point line and scored a pair of layups as the Rockets led 26-25 after one quarter.

By the time the Spurs had finished off the Rockets in a 108-95 win, Martin still had 10 points.

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/san-antonio-spurs-108-houston-rockets-95#more-12637)

[ElNono]

Great win at home taking care of business. Let's get on the road!

[TE]

The Rodeo Road Trip is perfect for this team right now.

[slayermin]

RJ getting his three point stroke back. I hope he finishes the season strong.

[The Reckoning]

martin got into foul trouble...

[duncan228]

Notes on a scorecard: Why the Spurs didn’t expect to be this good (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/01/30/notes-on-a-scorecard-why-the-spurs-didnt-expect-to-be-this-good/)
Tim Griffin

..."Not even close. Usually in our good seasons we always kind of expect we are around the 70 percent, 72 percent, 65 percent,” Ginobili said. “Now, we are at 85 (percent.) It’s way more than anybody could have expected."

...“The funny thing is we are here, we’ve earned it and now we don’t want to disappoint anybody. We just want to keep doing it because we can,” Ginobili said. “We know we have a really tough stretch, a lot of games back to back with four in five nights soon. We know that we’ve earned what’s going on but we just have to want to keep going.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/01/30/notes-on-a-scorecard-why-the-spurs-didnt-expect-to-be-this-good/

[rmt]

I'm definitely rooting for LA. I want to have as much cushion for HCA throughout the playoffs as possible.

Ditto. Only time I'd be rooting for LA. LA - 7 games back without head-to-head. BOS - only 4 games back with head-to-head.

“I’m just speechless right now,” said Spurs center DeJuan Blair, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds. “Because it’s just such an honor to be on this team, on this quest for greatness, and we’ve just got to keep it going.”

Media must be getting to Blair. It's stupid to be using the word "greatness" in regards to this team. HCA is the only plus - which is big especially with Hill's home vs away performances. It's the regular season - every playoff teams starts from 0-0 in the real season.

[duncan228]

Fab Five: Spurs’ starters shine once again (http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/01/29/11/Fab-Five-Spurs-starters-shine-once-again/landing_spurs.html?blockID=400448&feedID=3799)
By Mike Piellucci
FOXSportsSouthest.com

After Wednesday’s win over Utah, I attempted to delve into what exactly makes the Spurs the best team in the league.

While I explored a variety of reasons for why San Antonio is once again the class of the NBA, there was one area that I didn’t go fully in depth on that may is perhaps the greatest factor of all – the starting five.

That quintet made all the difference in Saturday’s 108-95 over the Rockets, propelling the Spurs to their 40th win of the season before the month of January is even out.

There are plenty of numbers that exemplify the argument that the lineup of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair, and Tim Duncan are among the sport’s premier units but the first place to start is with the seemingly insignificant number of one.

More specifically, the Spurs have fielded exactly one starting lineup all season, the only team able to make such a claim. Given the myriad of injuries that have alternately plagued Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan over the past several seasons, the Spurs hardly would have topped the list of prime suspects for the last lineup standing yet that’s been the case 47 games into the season while their competition has either struggled with injuries, ineffectiveness, or both.

Then there’s the eye-popping productivity. Entering Saturday, the Spurs’ starters have accounted for exactly two-thirds of the team’s points, 65% of its rebounds, and 75% of its assists.

All of that comes in a relatively-low 61% of the team’s minutes; not only are they proficient, they’re exceedingly efficient as well.

That’s a byproduct of continuity, sure, but also indicative of smart roster construction.

Name a desired quality and chances are that multiple Spurs starters possess it, whether it’s perimeter scoring or slashing (Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson); playmaking (Parker and Ginobili); three-point shooting (Ginobili and Jefferson); rebounding, post offense, and post defense (Duncan and Blair); or sheer athleticism (take your pick of Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, or Blair).

What makes them so tough to beat, then, is that there’s no way to take that lineup out of their element. They turn the game into a layup line or they can slow down the tempo, grind out possessions, and let Duncan and Blair clean up the glass, and are equally capable playing slash-and-kick or plotting a direct assault on the rim.

There’s no book on how to stop San Antonio’s lineup, other than fielding an opposing one with greater overall quality – an order of Mt. Everest-sized steepness.

Sans Yao Ming and with Aaron Brooks playing like a shell of himself after returning from injury, Houston was unable to answer the bell.

The Rockets allowed San Antonio’s starters to outdo even themselves, putting on an offensive clinic that was as explosive as it was surgical.

With the bench in a malaise for most of the game, the starting five scored 63 of San Antonio’s 68 points en route to 83 of the team’s 108, or 77% overall. All five hit double figures by the third quarter and everyone but Duncan hit at least half their shots while Duncan, for his part, drilled a not-too-shabby 5 of his 11 attempts.

True to form, they also accounted for 23 of the team’s 32 rebounds – led by Blair’s 12 as part of his eighth double-double of the season – and 14 of its 22 assists.

Houston did its best to keep the game competitive through the first half and even through parts of the third quarter, despite San Antonio not trailing at any point in the final two quarters. Almost-Spur Luis Scola, in particular, gave San Antonio fits by scoring 23 points to go with 10 rebounds and constantly forcing the issue on both sides of the ball.

But eventually, the Spurs proved to be too much, gradually putting the game out of reach with a 20-10 run in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to widen the gap to 15.

The three-pointer, woefully off the mark throughout the first three quarters, finally began to drop as the Spurs connected on five of seven fourth-quarter treys.

The starters even got a bit of help, too, with George Hill scoring 10 of his 14 points in the final period in a better-late-than-never type of performance.

Ultimately, the team that was as many games above .500 going into the contest as Houston had total wins (22) did what was expected of them – impose their will and overwhelm.

"They don't beat themselves," Rockets forward Shane Battier said after the game. "We were right there with them for a half. We played pretty good basketball, then we had that lull where we couldn't answer their 3s and their big shots that created separation."

"We were in the game all they way into the third quarter. But they were too solid. They are too solid," Scola lamented.

"Most solid team in the NBA. They're the best team in the NBA, period."

Now, San Antonio will see if it can retain that crown as they embark on the dreaded Rodeo Road Trip that includes three straight weeks on the road and nine games away from the AT&T Center.

The upshot is that only three of those games come against teams with winning records, meaning that the team that has lost just one game all season to a sub-.500 opponent should be able to maintain their winning ways.

The downside? One of those three games against winning teams is a date with the Lakers at the Staples Center.

One safe bet; if nothing else, the starting five will be up to the task.

http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/01/29/11/Fab-Five-Spurs-starters-shine-once-again/landing_spurs.html?blockID=400448&feedID=3799

[TampaDude]

Good win...let's take the momentum into the RRT.

GO SPURS GO!!!!!

[LakerHater]

What kind of FUCKTARDED statement is that?????????????

The Spurs were 39-7 heading into last night's game

Last I checked 39 - 7 = 32 not 22 thats THIRTY FUCKING TWO against twenty-two GET THAT RIGHT MORON

that Piellucci wop dumbass can take those stats and shove them right back up his ass and invest in a second grade class for himself because he obviously failed it what a fucktard ..
I think he was saying that the Spurs were about 22 games over .500, which was the same amount as the Rockets wins!

[Tp9gospursgo]

What kind of FUCKTARDED statement is that?????????????

The Spurs were 39-7 heading into last night's game

Last I checked 39 - 7 = 32 not 22 thats THIRTY FUCKING TWO against twenty-two GET THAT RIGHT MORON

that Piellucci wop dumbass can take those stats and shove them right back up his ass and invest in a second grade class for himself because he obviously failed it what a fucktard ..

you mad?

[boutons_deux]

I figure the Spurs staff will give Tiago one, uninjured off-season to improve his game to where he can be a serious contributor. It worked with RJ and that process is probably not finished, but of course RJ was a much larger investment.

Right now, I'd rather have Rasho than Tiago. Rasho was a better rebounder and was acknowledged by Tony and Manu as an excellent screener for holding open paths to the basket.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I figure the Spurs staff will give Tiago one, uninjured off-season to improve his game to where he can be a serious contributor. It worked with RJ and that process is probably not finished, but of course RJ was a much larger investment.

Right now, I'd rather have Rasho than Tiago. Rasho was a better rebounder and was acknowledged by Tony and Manu as an excellent screener for holding open paths to the basket.

rasho the legend killer

his limited in what he can do just like oberto, but set plays they do it timely and properly

as for splitter, its frustrating to see him settin screens and runnin off b4 the ball handler could even use the screen, all it does is draw in his man to the dribbler and nothing else...

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Two facts that are really impressive:
Spurs are the first team to reach 40 wins.
They've won 18 in a row at home.

[LakerHater]

Which is a retarded statement since the Spurs were 39 - 7 which makes them 32 games over .500!

Invest in some glasses.

WHOAAAA Bro, dont get mad!

Read the quote again cuz actually it was 23.

[Spursmania]

WHOAAAA Bro, dont get mad!

Read the quote again cuz actually it was 23.

Guitardude's only 15 years old, he gets a bit wound up sometimes:lol

[LakerHater]

I turn 16 on April 1st.
That explains the math. :downspin:

[gospursgojas]

Which is a retarded statement since the Spurs were 39 - 7 which makes them 32 games over .500!

Invest in some glasses.

Both you and the writer are wrong. Spurs at the time were 16 games over .500.

Know what you are talking before you start calling people a fucktard bc if you got it wrong also, what does that make you?

[ElNono]

The correct math would be:

39 + 7 = 46 games
46 games at .500 = 23 wins, 23 losses
39 wins - 23 wins = 16 games

[Mel_13]

http://rinielsmusings.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/00435-funny-cartoons-math-equation.gif

[E-RockWill]

:madrun ....:depressed....

guitardude27 is hilarious....

Slow down, grasshoppa :baby ...

[E-RockWill]

The correct math would be:

39 + 7 = 46 games
46 games at .500 = 23 wins, 23 losses
39 wins - 23 wins = 16 games

Winner, winner, chicken dinner....

Well done. :toast to the voice of reason....

[gospursgojas]

Winner, winner, chicken dinner....

Well done. :toast to the voice of reason....

I said 16 games was the correct answer like 2 post before. I can never win. :king

[Dex]

The correct math would be:

39 + 7 = 46 games
46 games at .500 = 23 wins, 23 losses
39 wins - 23 wins = 16 games

So if a team was 24-23, they would be half-a-game above .500 by your system?

I always assumed if a team was 20-20, they are a .500 team. If they are 21-20, they are a game above .500. 22-20, two games above .500, etc.

Maybe I've just been doing my math wrong this whole time, but I've never heard of a team being 'half-games' above/below .500, either.

Spurs are now 40-7. If they lost the next 33 straight games, they would be a .500 team (40-40). Thus, they are currently 33-games above .500, no?

[gospursgojas]

So if a team was 24-23, they would be half-a-game above .500 by your system?

I always assumed if a team was 20-20, they are a .500 team. If they are 21-20, they are a game above .500. 22-20, two games above .500, etc.

Maybe I've just been doing my math wrong this whole time, but I've never heard of a team being 'half-games' above/below .500, either.

Spurs are now 40-7. If they lost the next 33 straight games, they would be a .500 team (40-40). Thus, they are currently 33-games above .500, no?

That simply calculates how many more wins than losses. In your 22-20 example that team would actually be only 1 game above 500. You have to take into consideration the total number of games played.
22-20 means they have played 42 games. A 500 record of 42 games would be 21 wins. They have 22 so therefore 1 game over 500.

You are correct though about the .5 games over. You never hear that but you can still be .5 games above .500, just as you can be .5 games ahead of a team in the standings. If a team X is 21-20 and team Z is 20-20 (as in your examples). Team X would only be a .5 game ahead of teamZ bc team X has played 41 games to team Z's 40.

[E-RockWill]

Both you and the writer are wrong. Spurs at the time were 16 games over .500.

Know what you are talking before you start calling people a fucktard bc if you got it wrong also, what does that make you?

The real chicken dinner...so recognized...:toast


That simply calculates how many more wins than losses. In your 22-20 example that team would actually be only 1 game above 500. You have to take into consideration the total number of games played.
22-20 means they have played 42 games. A 500 record of 42 games would be 21 wins. They have 22 so therefore 1 game over 500.

You are correct though about the .5 games over. You never hear that but you can still be .5 games above .500, just as you can be .5 games ahead of a team in the standings. If a team X is 21-20 and team Z is 20-20 (as in your examples). Team X would only be a .5 game ahead of teamZ bc team X has played 41 games to team Z's 40.

Math is a funny thing, eh?!