Game Blog: Spurs @ Pistons - Feb.8

[Bukefal]

http://i.imgur.com/PaC2y.pngRodeo Road Triphttp://i.imgur.com/cjADl.png

http://i.imgur.com/bVqCz.png at http://i.imgur.com/PXAG0.png

Tuesday: San Antonio Spurs (42-8) at Detroit Pistons (19-32)



Rodeo Road Trip preview: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171474
Game Preview: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171938

Time: 07:30 PM ET/01:30 AM CET
Location: Palace Of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
TV: League Pass, FSD, FSSW-SA, WOAI, WDFN



http://i.imgur.com/tYiOK.gifhttp://i.imgur.com/yKRXy.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/eD40o.gif

http://i.imgur.com/kfJD9.png

:flag::flag::flag:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/dembeatz/spurs_win.jpg

:flag::flag::flag:

[Bukefal]

http://www.tiricosuave.com/images/jefferson.jpg


Richard Jefferson on his teammate Tony Parker:


“Tony has been playing at an All-Star level all season. On another team, he would be averaging 25 points a game.”



:flag::flag::flag:

[bdubya]

Has there ever been a game where Parker v McGrady was a key matchup?

[CubanMustGo]

How sad is the Leastern Conference? At 19-32, the Pistons are only 3.5 games out of the last playoff spot, so they have something to play for besides pride tonight.

[lefty]

http://www.tiricosuave.com/images/jefferson.jpg


Richard Jefferson on his teammate Tony Parker:


“Tony has been playing at an All-Star level all season. On a very shitty team, he would be averaging 25 points a game.”



:flag::flag::flag:

[buttsR4rebounding]

Quite honestly, this should be the easiest game of the whole RRT. If the Spurs just come out focused they should take care of biz early and rest the starters for coming flurry of games.

[xellos88330]

Go Spurs Go!!! :flag:

[G-Nob]

Another Spurs/Pistons tussle.
If it ain't rough, it ain't right.

[Spurs Brazil]

Every time Spurs play at Detroit since 2005 I remember this

http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/8800000/Robert-Horry-s-game-winner-vs-Pistons-san-antonio-spurs-8857740-666-571.jpg

[duncan228]

Every time Spurs play at Detroit since 2005 I remember this...

And one of Duncan's great post-game interviews. :lol

veAUXCP29K8


I’ll tell you the deal with Rob. Rob just hangs out the entire game. He does it all season long, he doesn’t do anything. He doesn’t feel like playing. He shows up sometimes, and then you put him in the fourth quarter in a big game, and he’s like “Okay, it’s time to play now. I’ve been hanging out the entire season, it’s time to play now.” And he just turns it on. And as funny as that seems, it's just how it is. He doesn't want to show up, he doesn't feel like playing, until it's a big game.

[ajballer4]

Every time Spurs play at Detroit since 2005 I remember this

http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/8800000/Robert-Horry-s-game-winner-vs-Pistons-san-antonio-spurs-8857740-666-571.jpg

The best moment in Spurs history in my opinion

[Pistons < Spurs]

Every time Spurs play at Detroit since 2005 I remember this

http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/8800000/Robert-Horry-s-game-winner-vs-Pistons-san-antonio-spurs-8857740-666-571.jpg

So do I ... sadly.

[bdubya]

If the Spurs just come out focused they should take care of biz early and rest the starters for coming flurry of games.

Pistons are capable of overcoming an early deficit; Spurs best plan is to dominate in the 3d quarter, where Detroit is susceptible to a total collapse.

[duncan228]

So do I ... sadly.

:lol

Hope you can join us tonight P < S. :toast

[awktalk]

And one of Duncan's great post-game interviews. :lol

veAUXCP29K8

The reporter reactions as TD exits is so funny, not sure I've ever seen anything like that at a postgame conference, and certainly not in the Finals. Sure hope we get to see more of that this year, because since then Timmy still has the great sense of humor, but he deadpans much better now and it is even funnier.

[Muser]

Hopefully Splitter can play well against a decent defensive big man.

[duncan228]

Same Finals. Doesn't speak, but still fast thinking.

sUVewfxzIKU

[TampaDude]

I think this game is going to be a lot closer than many people think.

Spurs by 8.

GO SPURS GO!!!!!

[DesignatedT]

Spurs 99
Pistons 89

[TampaDude]

Spurs 99
Pistons 89

^ sounds about right :toast

[slayermin]

The spurs outplayed Detroit for about two quarters in those three middle games in '05. And then Big Shot Bob outplayed them for a quarter and a half by himself. As Manu would say, I still get goose flesh when I watch this.

BZdik09RGJI

15u2SVZj3ZA

[Dex]

Unfortunately I've got this one on the DVR, so I'll have to resist clicking on SpursTalk while waiting out these final hours at work.

I'll see you all on the other side. :downspin:

[TampaDude]

The spurs outplayed Detroit for about two quarters in those three middle games in '05. And then Big Shot Bob outplayed them for a quarter and a half by himself. As Manu would say, I still get goose flesh when I watch this.

BZdik09RGJI

15u2SVZj3ZA

Damn, that mofo was good. :hat

[duncan228]

News on Bonner is that he's probable, right?

Yup. Last we heard:



Breaking Red Rocket news: Matt Bonner upgraded to "probable" for tonight's game against Pistons.

If Bonner (knee) doesn't make his return tonight at Detroit, it is likely to come before the end of rodeo trip.


..."It’s definitely getting better,” said Bonner, who has not played since the first half of a Jan. 14 victory over Dallas. “There is going to be some pain for a while, but I’ll just have to play through it.”


...If Bonner doesn’t play tonight, he vows his return will come at some point in the remaining five games of the Spurs’ rodeo road trip.

“I’d say sooner rather than later,” Bonner said.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/02/08/bonner-nearing-return-from-knee-injury/

[duncan228]

Just now.



Matt Bonner (knee) will be in uniform and available tonight in Detroit. Whether he plays, and how much, will be up to Gregg Popovich.

[Muser]

What streaming website will have the game? The new atdhe site is only showing two games, fucking got league pass but it won't work on the internet at my temporary accomodation.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Bonner in Uniform tonight!!

[Pistons < Spurs]

deryNBA MD
Rip ruled out with a sore groin. Stuckey and Maxiell will try and give it a go.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Keith_Langlois Keith Langlois
Ben Wallace will open on Tim Duncan. Would have been curious to see Monroe play him - great learning opportunity for a quick learner

Instead, Monroe will open against an old Big East opponent, DeJuan Blair.

[Spurs Brazil]

JMcDonald_SAEN
.
Popovich, on the anomaly of having his starting lineup and rotation cemented before A-S break: "It's like I don't even have a job anymore."

[awktalk]

:lol :lol :lol

Is there anybody, inside or outside of sports, more self-deprecating that Pop?

[Pistons < Spurs]

It's good seeing Dice in the Palace again.

[DesignatedT]

lets do this.

[Muser]

Pop :lol

Good to see Dice getting major props, god damn I want that man to win a ring.

Pistons call, they're good :tu.

[DesignatedT]

anyone elses LPBB not started yet?

[dbestpro]

Bonner in Uniform tonight!!

but, but what about Novak?:p:

[DesignatedT]

nba.com is all fucked up.

[Darrin]

Every time Spurs play at Detroit since 2005 I remember this

http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/8800000/Robert-Horry-s-game-winner-vs-Pistons-san-antonio-spurs-8857740-666-571.jpg

:depressed

Last appearance in the Finals for the foreseeable future.

[awktalk]

nba.com is all fucked up.

Mine's working.

[Mugen]

is LP Broadband down? All the games say Upcoming but two games have already started?

WTF?

[DesignatedT]

Mine's working.

wtf. all my games say upcoming and none of them are viewable. this is bullshit

[awktalk]

is LP Broadband down? All the games say Upcoming but two games have already started?

WTF?

I'm getting both Phi-Atl and the Spurs game.

[bongraider]

not again! "and theres the steal by bird!"

[Mugen]

wtf. all my games say upcoming and none of them are viewable. this is bullshit

same here, wtf.

[Darrin]

nfurCV1FDpM

[TDMVPDPOY]

is novak playin tonight?

[Tp9gospursgo]

Blair!

[Pistons < Spurs]

Greg Monroe baby! He's gonna have a big night

[CFH]

Manu to Blair!

[Tp9gospursgo]

Again.

[CFH]

Blair with the offensive board and putback!

[Pistons < Spurs]

Blair-4
Monroe-4

[m33p0]

didn't know big ben is back in detroit.

that is ben wallace, right?

[Muser]

That Monroe looks solid tbh

[Muser]

Blair is gonna go off tonight..

[dbestpro]

Duncan looks like he is gonna have one of those nights.

[DPG21920]

Not the start we had in Sacto. No one can score. This game has very little focus and energy from the Spurs.

[CFH]

Parker J

[Tp9gospursgo]

Tony with the jumper.

[m33p0]

spurs always shitty after a long rest.

[Muser]

Spurs look lethargic.

[timtonymanu]

Blair looks to be the only one active.

[dbestpro]

This game in a word is "sluggish".

[Tp9gospursgo]

Tony feeling it early.

[duncan228]

Duncan with a strong board.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Tmac Baby!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

Parker heating up

[dbestpro]

Duncan really playin some ugly defense so far in this game.

[timtonymanu]

Wow Duncan wake up.

[Spurs Brazil]

TP with a good start

Manu needs to wake up, missed 2 open triples and got burn by T-Mac on D

[Trainwreck2100]

what a bad fucking game

[awktalk]

Parker looking to carry our offense in the 1st Q yet again.

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Man there is no flow to our offense

[dbestpro]

To steal a few words from the Laker fans, "We are coasting." Which means we're playing like garbage.

[CFH]

Dice J

[Tp9gospursgo]

Dice.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Dicccceeeeeee.....

oh wait, wrong team!

[DesignatedT]

would like to see a good game from george tonight. hes been pretty quiet.

[DPG21920]

Detroit playing much better on both ends so far. More energy, activity and enthusiasm.

[CFH]

Timmy J

[vy65]

Has anyone's LPBB problem been fixed?

[duncan228]

Dicccceeeeeee.....

oh wait, wrong team!

:lol

[Warlord23]

The bench will need to give us a spark ... the starting lineup doesn't look interested

[CFH]

Rj 333333333333333333

[Tp9gospursgo]

RJ 3! The streak continues!

[awktalk]

Annnnnddddd.... now my LPBB just quit working.

[DesignatedT]

rj son

[Tp9gospursgo]

Dice again!

[CFH]

Dice with another J

[m33p0]

rj still on

[CFH]

Parker AND 1!

[Tp9gospursgo]

And 1!!

[m33p0]

my broadcast is late :lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Great start for Dice!

[Tp9gospursgo]

Tp is on fire!

[CFH]

Parker beasting

[Death In June]

Damn, I thought Ben Wallace retired?

[DesignatedT]

parker looking good. manu and duncan not so much

[bdubya]

Dice knows these rims well. Glad he still looks like Dice.

[Warlord23]

Hey P<S, is Rip still in the doghouse for y'all?

[Spurs Brazil]

TP attacking all the time, that's always nice to see

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Parker is getting whatever he wants, or dishing to whoever he wants

[DMC]

Hawks down by 30 1st half wow

[Pistons < Spurs]

Austin Daye time!!! Need some triples from him.

[Pauleta14]

Pop probably told the same thing to Tony than before the Kings game...

He is carrying the offensive load

[bdubya]

Austin DAYE!

[CFH]

Damn, how many turnovers is that so far?

[Tp9gospursgo]

Tragic johnson Blair.

[DPG21920]

Spurs need Gary's shooting and enthusiasm.

[dbestpro]

Blair :(

[CFH]

You gotta score on a 3 on 1, come on...

[Tp9gospursgo]

Bonner sighting!

[Warlord23]

Blair sucks today

[m33p0]

could we score please?

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair with a bad pass after the time out and then a terrible job on the fast break

[Pistons < Spurs]

Deeetroit Basketballlll

[CFH]

Lord, Lord, Lord, another turnover...

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Bonner>>>>???

[CFH]

Nice ball movement

[spurs_2108]

Boner

[Pistons < Spurs]

terrible first qtr from Gordon.

[timtonymanu]

Ugh so many TOs

[DesignatedT]

6-0 since tony went out.

[m33p0]

spurs so far mailing this one in.

[DesignatedT]

there u go.

[Spurs Brazil]

Not a very good finish of the 1st quarter but up 1

Manu needs to play better

[Tp9gospursgo]

I wanna see more Splitter!!

[m33p0]

was that bonner in the game?

[braeden0613]

Did anyone's League Pass BB just stop working? Sigh...

[Arc]

guess splitter isn't playing tonight. pop is dumb

[dbestpro]

1st q snap -
Duncan very lethargic. Blair helping both teams. Manu a little off. TP and Dice on the money. RJ holding his own.

[Pauleta14]

The team plays even worst since the time out! (we were up 5)

... called by Pop!!

[Warlord23]

5 turnovers, all of them stupid, unforced errors. Plus Blair seems to think he's a point forward now.

[awktalk]

Blair sucks today

6 & 6 in the 1st isn't horrible. Bad turnover out of that timeout, but pretty solid besides that. Hill should have made that 5 footer.

[Fireball]

I have the bad feeling thats the way the rest of the RRT will be played ... Spurs are not interested at all ...

[CFH]

Blair!

[awktalk]

guess splitter isn't playing tonight. pop is dumb

You should write him a letter instead of watching the game.

[Pauleta14]

1st q snap -
Duncan very lethargic. Blair helping both teams. Manu a little off. TP and Dice on the money. RJ holding his own.


You're tough on Blair...

only 1 TO and 6pts/6rbds is pretty usefull

[Tp9gospursgo]

Bonner!!!

[timtonymanu]

imo, it's just rust. I fricking hate 4-5 day breaks.

[Pistons < Spurs]

screw you Bonner!

[CFH]

Bonner J

[DesignatedT]

bonnerrrrr

[WeNeedLength]

Defense is atrocious...

[Pistons < Spurs]

Go Villy!!!

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

bonner hits first shot!

[bdubya]

Cv3!

[m33p0]

bonner!

[timtonymanu]

Wow fuck play some gd defense.

[Spurs Brazil]

Defense is terrible so far. Pistons score only 95 a game and they already have 33

[dbestpro]

Would like to see Tiago for a few minutes to push Blair's effort if nothing else.

[Fireball]

Defense is atrocious...

[Warlord23]

This could have been uglier if our jumpers hadn't fallen. Detroit OTOH is getting good looks at the rim

[m33p0]

i wonder which player will the spurs allow to have a career game tonight.

[CFH]

Neal 33333333333

[DesignatedT]

there u go neal.

[Fabbs]

i wonder which player will the spurs allow to have a career game tonight.
Who is Matty Bonner guarding? Is that Charlie Villenova who just hit a three pointer? :lol

[CFH]

Hill to Blair, nice pass

[Tp9gospursgo]

Hill to Blair!

[Spurs Brazil]

great block DB

[Spurs Brazil]

A lot of late calls

[m33p0]

notice all the space the spurs' perimeter shooters create? we didn't have that last year.

[CFH]

Neal with 3 fouls, bleh...

[Pistons < Spurs]

crap...rebound!!

[CFH]

Bonner with the offensive board!

[DesignatedT]

great board bonner

[m33p0]

Who is Matty Bonner guarding? Is that Charlie Villenova who just hit a three pointer? :lol

will bynum a good candidate as well.

[Capt Bringdown]

Small ball uber alles

[CFH]

Fouls all over the place :lol

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Great job by Bonner keeping that play alive

[CFH]

Duncan misses both free throws, yuck...

[DesignatedT]

wow those looked terrible by duncan

[timtonymanu]

ugh Tim is gonna have a 4 and 4 night, it seems.

[m33p0]

shit. spurs got no business losing this game. this would feel really shitty.

[CFH]

Another bobbled ball leads to a turnover

[Capt Bringdown]

Missed FT's are a bad sign. I had picked this game as an L, looks like I might be right. Would somebody please tell the Spurs there's a game today?

[DesignatedT]

ginobili is fucking terrible tonight. better off letting his ass rest if he needs it that bad. duncan doesn't look much better either.

[timtonymanu]

Manu fuckin terrible

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF Manu

[timtonymanu]

Tim gets hit in the face alot.

[Spurs Brazil]

Pistons FG-53%

[Warlord23]

Pistons FG-53%

Pistons bench FG - 80%. Thank heavens for Ben Gordon.

[WeNeedLength]

Tim gets hit in the face alot.

Maybe that will snap him out of his zombie-like state :frying:

[dbestpro]

The Spurs tonight look like that team that gives up for lack of effort that we have seen 2-3 times this year.

[Pistons < Spurs]

And 1

[CFH]

Anyone wanna rebound at all?

[Capt Bringdown]

Blair leads in FGA, that tells you what kind of ball the Spurs are playing tonight.

[WeNeedLength]

If Pistons drop 60 on us in the half, I might turn it off...

[CFH]

Tim with the hook

[Pistons < Spurs]

hopefully Duncan doesn't get on a roll now

[timtonymanu]

Fuckin BS with the and 1's

[Frankie23]

any link??

[Pistons < Spurs]

Greg Monroe is growing up fast. Looking mighty impressive.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Rj 3!

[CFH]

Rj 33333333333

[Tp9gospursgo]

B.S call.

[dbestpro]

Bad call of the night by Nunez.

[CFH]

Parker floater

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Bullshit call there

[CFH]

Timmy!

[duncan228]

And Duncan is waking up. :)

[Pistons < Spurs]

Duncan is starting to wake up

[Capt Bringdown]

Well, what ya know. We put some height on the floor and good things happen.

[m33p0]

any link??

yeah. www.google.com.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Timmah!

[timtonymanu]

Timmy playing better now. Manu needs to join in the fun.

[Spurs Brazil]

TD much better in the 2nd quarter now we need Manu

Tony playing great

[DesignatedT]

wow manu. you look like complete shit tonight. worst ive seen him look all year. shot is off, looks slow.

[Pauleta14]

Eventhough the replay show Tony is being fouled (on the arm), the commentators keep saying it's elbow against elbow...

[dbestpro]

Well, what ya know. We put some height on the floor and good things happen.

This. I know Blair's numbers are okay, but he also has been picked on offensively through the pick and roll.

[m33p0]

neal with 3 fouls and manu being awful are putting the spurs in a bind right now.

[Pistons < Spurs]

C'mon Tay.... wtf is that? 2 misses?

[ohmwrecker]

Spurs don't seem particularly focused on winning this game.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Parker floater

[Capt Bringdown]

This. I know Blair's numbers are okay, but he also has been picked on offensively through the pick and roll.

Splitter not getting one second after putting in arguably his best showing of the year is ridiculous coaching. Especially when Blair was getting abused on D.

[m33p0]

nice floater.

[timtonymanu]

Guard the 3!

[m33p0]

Splitter not getting one second after putting in arguably his best showing of the year is ridiculous coaching. Especially when Blair was getting abused on D.

he'll play tomorrow... i think.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol

[Pauleta14]

TP feeling it

Too bad we can't make a break ...

[Pistons < Spurs]

The Pistons have struggled in 3rd qtrs this year. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Spurs go up by a large margin in a hurry.

But overall I'm pretty happy with my Pistons tonight.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

that manu 3 was pure

































air

[m33p0]

that is ben wallace! damn!

[Spurs Brazil]

Defense in the 1st half was PATHETIC

TP great 1st half keep us in the game

TD, RJ and DB playing well on O and Manu needs to wake up

[CFH]

Show up in the second half Manu

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Ginobli's not looking too good tonight....

[Capt Bringdown]

Gee, the Pistons are an offensive powerhouse, who knew?

[m33p0]

how the heck do we have a 1 point lead after an awful half?

[Brazil]

TP should have taken this open 3

[Warlord23]

Is it too much to ask that the Spurs defend for at least 1 quarter in this game?

[Pauleta14]

WTF Manu???!!!!!!

He's not there yet, I hope Pop wake him up at half time...

[DesignatedT]

how the heck do we have a 1 point lead after an awful half?

were playing the pistons.

[timtonymanu]

Show up in the second half Spurs

fixed

[Fireball]

Ginobili looks as if he spent all off days taking care of his twins and was up all night ...

[Arc]

now that bonner is back, splitter probably won't see too much floor time even though he should. which means.. the shit defense is back.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Spurs have to pick up the defense in the second half. Also, Manu is playing like Sh*t.

[Pistons < Spurs]

that is ben wallace! damn!

yeah, he resigned with us last year.

[Spurs Brazil]

In that last play Hill was open, should have take the 3. He put Manu in a bad spot

[Pauleta14]

TP should have taken this open 3



I thought that too, but too many time left, too much thinking...

There is no reason he can't become the same type of 3pts shooter Kidd has become when open...

[toki9]

Wow...guard depth suddenly looks bad with Neal's 3 fouls and Manu sucking...

[Pistons < Spurs]

Gordon and Tay are a combined 5-17.

[awktalk]

now that bonner is back, splitter probably won't see too much floor time even though he should. which means.. the shit defense is back.

Instead of watching this game, you should write a sternly worded letter to Pop informing him he is doing such a shitty job coaching this team to a crappy 42-8 record.

[Warlord23]

Both teams have exactly 20 made FGs and 9 made FTs

[Creation88]

terrible 1st half. bad defense in the paint, piss poor turnovers have kept Pistons in it.

[Brazil]

I thought that too, but too many time left, too much thinking...

There is no reason he can't become the same type of 3pts shooter Kidd has become when open...

He is not taking a lot of 3s but he converts them quite nicely, he was wiiiddeee open. too much hesitation

[bdubya]

Almost tied. Can we just skip the 3d quarter? Or maybe cut down on SA's offensive boards?

[m33p0]

cavs with another futile effort against the mavs. :lol cavs. on espn's poll, i chose the lakers for the lulz. who knows?

[Capt Bringdown]

now that bonner is back, splitter probably won't see too much floor time even though he should. which means.. the shit defense is back.

Unquestionably Splitter is the better defensive option, so I doubt our real commitment to D. We talk the talk, but Pop's man-love for Bonner rules the day. Spread-the-floor trumps defense in Pop's view.

[it's me]

Manu playing like the ultimate piece of shit what the hell.... sometimes I hate this guy.

[Arc]

Instead of watching this game, you should write a sternly worded letter to Pop informing him he is doing such a shitty job coaching this team to a crappy 42-8 record.

why don't you do that for me. thanks