Game Blog: Sixers @ Spurs: March 25th 6:00 CT

[NASpurs]

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VS

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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f4Fo_GlfJs8/SSwy--0IM0I/AAAAAAAABjM/maWiBmr40hc/s400/spurs+win.jpg

[Darkwaters]

76ers-Spurs Preview
7:00 PM ET, March 25, 2012
AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX


The San Antonio Spurs have had to shuffle their lineup during the first two games of a back-to-back-to-back stretch, but they continue finding players to step up.

The Spurs will try to win their fourth straight and continue their home dominance against the Atlantic Division-leading Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

San Antonio has won six of seven to pull within three games of Oklahoma City for the Western Conference lead.

After cruising to a 104-87 win over Dallas on Friday, the Spurs (32-14) had to hold on for an 89-86 win at conference-worst New Orleans on Saturday, shooting 40.0 percent while going 2 for 19 from 3-point range.

Tony Parker returned after missing the previous game with tightness in his hamstring but Manu Ginobili, who started in place of Parker on Friday, did not make the trip while he recovers from a hip problem.

Gary Neal (foot) and Tiago Splitter (back) both missed the game as well.

With San Antonio short-handed, DeJuan Blair, who averaged 6.0 points the previous three games, stepped up and finished with 23 points, while Tim Duncan had 13 points, including a key basket and two free throws down the stretch. He also had seven boards and three blocks.

"I thought that they hung in there," coach Gregg Popovich said. "I thought New Orleans was more efficient than we were and executed better than we did. So we just had to hang in there and keep plugging."

Prior to the victory, Popovich said he may rest Duncan for this game.

While the Spurs struggled against one of the NBA's worst teams, they'll face another playoff contender in Philadelphia. However, San Antonio is 23-1 at home against the 76ers since the start of the 1986-87 season, winning the last seven.

Philadelphia (27-21) is trying to strengthen its hold on the Atlantic Division. The 76ers have won two of three since a three-game losing streak, defeating Boston 99-86 on Friday to increase their lead to 1 1/2 games over the second-place Celtics.

Elton Brand scored 20 points, Louis Williams had 19 and Philadelphia played good defense, scoring 20 points off 13 Boston turnovers while outrebounding the Celtics 46-35.

Brand scored 14 of his points in the third quarter, making 7 of 10 shots while the Sixers outscored the Celtics 37-17. While a balanced offense has meant Brand's scoring average has dipped to a career-low 10.6 points this season, he showed he can still take over a game.

"When we were winning, they didn't need a lot," early this season, Brand, whose season high is 21 points, said. "I said, when they need me, I'd be prepared. That was a game like tonight. They needed me to step up and I did."

While the 76ers are leading the division, they haven't fared well against other playoff contenders. Before defeating the Celtics, their previous four losses were against New York, Chicago, Miami and Indiana.

"To me, we've been playing playoff games for six weeks," said coach Doug Collins, who earned his 400th win Friday. "Whether it's at home or on the road. We've had an incredibly difficult schedule."

The 76ers will look to end their losing streak at the AT&T Center, although San Antonio won 100-90 in Philadelphia on Feb. 8. Parker, who finished with 12 points and 10 assists Saturday, scored 37 points in the victory versus the 76ers.

Philadelphia's last win in San Antonio was in 2004.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=320325024


PS: 5,000th post. Go Darkwaters! That is all.

[loveforthegame]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at Blair, Diaw, and Bonner as our only big men tonight.

Will our guys have anything in the tank tonight?

Certainly need a team effort to beat Philly.

Go Spurs!!

[siraulo23]

3 bigs and two of them are bonner/blair

[bbarry]

aww shit. it's the crap towers in the front line tonight...... no tim no tiago.

[timvp]

Statistically, these Sixers are the best defensive team the NBA has seen since the 2004 Spurs.

[Manu-20]

going to be a tough game tonight hopefully spurs dont let the sixers just destroy us in the paint or maybe if were lucky they will settle for jumpers

[TE]

Calling it right here, tonight is the coming out game for Boris.

[BackHome]

You know with no Duncan and no Splitter should we just sit Tony who hamstring is still not 100%? Not having a backup PG is putting a lot of wear and tear on Tony.....where is Mills?

[benefactor]

You know with no Duncan and no Splitter should we just sit Tony who hamstring is still not 100%? Not having a backup PG is putting a lot of wear and tear on Tony.....where is Mills?
Pop said it would be after the weekend before his visa issues got solved. Hopefully he's with the team day after tomorrow for the back to back.

[Robz4000]

You know with no Duncan and no Splitter should we just sit Tony who hamstring is still not 100%? Not having a backup PG is putting a lot of wear and tear on Tony.....where is Mills?
They have Dentmon for the time being. He played pretty decent last night as backup, and that was on the road. He'll have an even better game tonight I expect.

[Sense]

we're fucked -_-

[benefactor]

we're fucked -_-
Pretty much...but it's not really a bad thing since they won the two more important games during this stretch. Perhaps they surprise us tonight.

We need one of those 5-6 from three home court Bonner performances tonight.

[ace3g]

Michael Preston ‏ @preston76


#Sixers Andre Iguodala is a late scratch (left knee patellar tendonitis) tonight vs. Spurs. Jodie Meeks will start in his place.

[BanditHiro]

Michael Preston ‏ @preston76


#Sixers Andre Iguodala is a late scratch (left knee patellar tendonitis) tonight vs. Spurs. Jodie Meeks will start in his place.

thank you christ

[freetiago]

iguodala isnt even taht big of a deal
nothing compares to the 76ers knowing that there SG is taller then our center and we have bon bon patrolling the paint
tonight will be the first game spurs have gotten outscored in the paint in a while
and it wont be pretty
id imagine blair would get in foul trouble as well
pop will have no choice but to go jackson small at the 4

[benefactor]

Spurs call again...I've pretty much had it all year. Nice change from year's past.

[benefactor]

Michael Preston ‏ @preston76


#Sixers Andre Iguodala is a late scratch (left knee patellar tendonitis) tonight vs. Spurs. Jodie Meeks will start in his place.
:tu

Chances of a win just increased by a lot.

[benefactor]

Sean just pulled a McDonald.

[Spurs Brazil]

Did you see the hug? Jax and Malik

[benefactor]

That was the most technically correct national anthem I've ever heard.

[ace3g]

@spurs says Bonner is starting...

[GB20]

:flag:

[ace3g]

why is Joey Crawford trying to pick Pop's nose, lol

[Warlord23]

Turd towers starting

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol brand is going to eat bonner

lol joey crawford the scrub ref

[benefactor]

Go turd towers!

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

bonner starting. Why?

[TDMVPDPOY]

bonner lol floater

[benefactor]

Wow...Bonner and Blair both with floaters? Twilight zone tbh.

[siraulo23]

bonner blair starting??/

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

good thing Hawes is a pussy

[Juggity]

Dejuan with that floater

[benefactor]

Decent team defense so far. Energy is much better than last night.

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

green needs to go back to shooting 3's and scoring on fastbreaks.

[TDMVPDPOY]

bonner warming up, where all the fkn haters?

[benefactor]

We need one of those 5-6 from three home court Bonner performances tonight.

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

bonner makeing his 1st 3 is always a good sign

[loveforthegame]

Much more energy tonight. Can they keep it up the whole game?

[benefactor]

Well so much for that.

[Juggity]

Tony bringing the goods

[GB20]

tony!!

[Spurs Brazil]

Nice Tony!!

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

bonners pumped up tonight

[EVAY]

If Tony keeps succeeding against Brand, it would really help us.

[benefactor]

Bonner blocking shots too?

[EVAY]

Our guys are out there fighting, and that's got to make you proud.

[GB20]

tony is looking good

[TDMVPDPOY]

bonners effort tonight lol awesome shit

[Texas_Ranger]

best floater in the NBA = Matt Bonner!

[benefactor]

Glad to see the fight after that abortion last night. Parker is really locked in.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

damn TP is in a zone

[loveforthegame]

Solid start for the Spurs. Good energy, keeping up on the boards so far, and of course making some shots.

[Spurs Brazil]

Tony attacking tonight. Good sign

[siraulo23]

tony parker looking good early...

good sign

[biziofromdowntown]

good D from Bonner

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

TP ballin

[timvp]

Love TP on offense. Not so much on defense so far.

Overall there is much better energy than last night. Let's hope the bench can keep it up.

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

Beast!!!

[benefactor]

Leonard already making amends for last night.

[Juggity]

Oh shit that was a beautiful layup by leonard

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Kawhi!!

[Cry Havoc]

Leonard might not be consistent yet but man what an upside on that kid.

[Texas_Ranger]

Holiday in Jarret Jack mode

[Cry Havoc]

Bonner is ON. His shot looks absolutely pure right now.

[loveforthegame]

Nice to see Bonner stepping up tonight.

[MR.SILVER&BLack]

Bonner...Im sorry for doubting you 10 mins ago when i heard you were starting tonight.

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol isnt that a travel on KL...lol

[Cry Havoc]

I almost would rather have the foul + 2 free throws there. Getting Turner in foul trouble makes this a much easier game for the Spurs as it limits what Philly can do on D.

[bklynspursfan]

The depth of this team now is such a beautiful thing. Now we've gotta get healthy and chemistry, and play a little defense and we'll be ok

[benefactor]

Nice pass by Dentmon on the roll.

[Manu-20]

nice pass dentom to diaw

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice drive Diaw

[benefactor]

lol Sean talking about Duncan.

[Cry Havoc]

WELCOME TO SAN ANTONIO DENTMON! Woo!

[benefactor]

Dentmon!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Jd 222222222222

[Warlord23]

Dentmon looks pretty decent

[ace3g]

Diaw with the steal and Dentmon with the shot

[loveforthegame]

I like what I've seen from Dentmon. :tu

[benefactor]

Diaw's gotta take that to the rim.

[biziofromdowntown]

Detmon, good!

[TDMVPDPOY]

dentmon > CJ the scrub draft bust

[Manu-20]

liking dentom so far he looks like a soild backup for the time being

[Cry Havoc]

Spurs about to hang 30+ on one of the best defenses in the league without Tim or Tiago. Pretty insane.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Diaw deferring urgh

[Stump]

Golden State Spurs look better than expected so far.

[Brazil]

Did I see Diaw aggressive and going to the rim to draw a foul ?

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

What are the chances that Spurs rest players for Tuesdays game in PHX? I have a chance to get 2nd row behind Spurs bench for a good deal, but don't want to pay the money not to see Timmy and Co......

[Spurs Brazil]

Diaw good D, Dentmon nice shot

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Dentmon > mills

[timvp]

Australia better here up for Mills sake, tbh.

[Rebounds]

Dentmon, side profile, looks like Rod Strickland.

[Nathan89]

Did I see Diaw aggressive and going to the rim to draw a foul ?

He forgot to pass.

[GB20]

blair almost shot last floater from the three point line

[Brazil]

Diaw is going to drive Pop insane !! I'm calling it now... Diaw is going to send Pop to an hospital..

[Juggity]

That dude sucks at free throws

[jestersmash]

Philly is 2/2 scoring on Manu in a 1 on 1 situation now.

[bklynspursfan]

Glad Diaw finally took that 3 and didn't pump fake

[Juggity]

Diaw needs to make his wide open shots...

[Texas_Ranger]

omg Jack got the ball.

[Manu-20]

dam pretty sloppy there and wtf with all these no calls on manu

[bklynspursfan]

Dam man... Would've been a great way to end the quarter. Great defense (or lack of offense from Philly) thus far

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Horrible finish to the quarter

Against Dallas and new orleans this team is closing out quarters sub par

[GB20]

you have to make that jack

[timvp]

:lol @ Pop cringing due to Diaw's passiveness.

[loveforthegame]

Sloppy end to the first quarter but the guys have fought hard shorthanded. Good to be up 7 at the end of the 1st quarter. Need to keep up the energy and team work.

[siraulo23]

and that would have been huge... if jax hit that

[Spurs Brazil]

Good 1st quarter. Let's hope they can keep the energy level

[spurspokesman]

I like what I've seen from Dentmon. :tu

this

[biziofromdowntown]

Jack, c'mon, u've to make hose shots

[Warlord23]

One worrisome pattern over the last few games, we're missing too many open jumpshots. Bonner's been OK, but Jack, Green and Manu haven't inspired confidence.

[spurspokesman]

:lol @ Pop cringing due to Diaw's passiveness.

He is starting to look timid.

[GB20]

i am glad tony is getting a good rest

[EVAY]

:lol @ Pop cringing due to Diaw's passiveness.

But he had to know that when we got him. Diaw knows his weaknesses...and one of them is shooting. He is very good at passing and defense. If you want him to become a shooter you best plan on some time with him with the shooting coach.

Right now, we take what we can get form him and be happy he is here.

[Brazil]

Diaw is going to drive Pop insane !! I'm calling it now... Diaw is going to send Pop to an hospital..


:lol @ Pop cringing due to Diaw's passiveness.

:lol

[bklynspursfan]

Dentmon looks so much better than Joseph did.

[spurspokesman]

bad jax

[loveforthegame]

Terrible. :td

[benefactor]

Getting a little sloppy.

[Texas_Ranger]

looking like shit again

[bbarry]

jackson is fucking up badly out there

[Juggity]

Wow. Can't hit any shots. Totally disjointed, too.

[bklynspursfan]

Im shocked Jackson isnt getting rest.

[TDMVPDPOY]

put bonner back in, fck this

[spurspokesman]

horrible interior defense

[Trainwreck2100]

spurs playing like its the 3rd quarter tbqh

[Manu-20]

alright we need tony out there

[bbarry]

jackson-

missed wide open 3
missed the pass by manu
throws it out of bounds
airballs a jumper

all in about 2 minutes

[loveforthegame]

No offense from the bench but lots of turnovers.

[Texas_Ranger]

good that they made 500 layups already.

[timvp]

2003 Jack makes an appearance.

Ginobili needs more touches with that type of lineup, tbh.

[Two10Whitey]

Stephen is doing wonderful this evening! ...

[Chachachango]

Spurs look like they want the playoffs to start already. They dont give a shit about the regular season anymore.

[bklynspursfan]

jackson-

missed wide open 3
missed the pass by manu
throws it out of bounds
airballs a jumper

all in about 2 minutes

And RJ had the game sealing dunk last night to give GS the win. :lol go figure

[spurspokesman]

looking like shit again
this

[EVAY]

I'm sure that Tp won't get a good 'grade' for tonight because Holiday is shooting so well (over everyone who tries to guard him, frankly), but this team does not function well offensively without him.

How long have we gone without a score, now?

[bklynspursfan]

Parker is back. Expect good things

[bbarry]

12-0 run so far for the sixers. it was 29-18 now take the lead 30-29.

[loveforthegame]

Such a promising start and now this.

[bklynspursfan]

Dam Parker why not throw up the tear drop

[bbarry]

crawford you blind fuck face

[Chachachango]

Nice call u bald head.

[loveforthegame]

Turnover, missed shot, turnover, missed shot, turnover. Awesome.

[benefactor]

Bad call tbh.

[T Park]

Anyone got a link to watch this online? The service I paid for won't allow me to watch...

[bklynspursfan]

Ugh.

[bbarry]

another jackson TO.

unbelievable.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Jackson playing like shit

[bbarry]

16-0 run.

[Texas_Ranger]

fuck this bullshit

[bklynspursfan]

16-0 run and we're down 5.

[loveforthegame]

Seriously?

[MannyIsGod]

So many turn overs.

[T Park]

Btw you fucktards bitching about the game, it's the third in three nights against a tough Philly team. Shut it.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Lol, this forum makes me laugh

[jestersmash]

This hardly looks like Spurs offense :lol

[Juggity]

Spurs haven't scored this quarter

[DesignatedT]

We need to get Bonner back in there. Seriously.

[benefactor]

Difference between Buckets and RJ...Buckets plays like shit but keep competing.

[szkorhetz]

-16 for Jax..

[EVAY]

Parker has had about four shots blocked. No one able to give him any blocking.

[T Park]

fuck this bullshit


Yeah a team playing a third in three is supposed to be perfect!!!!

[bbarry]

18-1 run and now another TO

[benefactor]

Sam Young going playoffs against the Spurs.

[Kyl3]

Anyone got a link to watch this online? The service I paid for won't allow me to watch...

Here ya go bro. You just gotta exit out of the ads on screen. If the quality is bad, there are a few other streams on the top of the video.

[Cry Havoc]

Fuck Joey Crawford.

[bklynspursfan]

God I hate Crawford

[loveforthegame]

Gtfo.

[Manu-20]

cant belevie im saying this but put bonner in the dam game

[Texas_Ranger]

pussy basketball...

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Philly defense putting us on lock

Luckily, its nearly physically impossible for Philly to win in SA

[Trainwreck2100]

quit your shit already joey

[bklynspursfan]

Crawford really should not be allowed to do Spurs games.

[spurspokesman]

spurs look bad

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Difference between Buckets and RJ...Buckets plays like shit but keep competing.


Very true.... I'm not used to that :tu

[bklynspursfan]

These guys will get it going

[spurspokesman]

Crawford really should not be allowed to do Spurs games.
this

[loveforthegame]

At least make your fts.

[siraulo23]

yes get the FT line jax

[bklynspursfan]

LOL a "certain individual"

[MannyIsGod]

Need more plays like that from Jax

[szkorhetz]

Nice playmaking, SJ!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice pass from Sjax to Blair

[bklynspursfan]

There we go, now we've got some energy back.

[Manu-20]

fiannly spurs getting some offense going

[hater]

just tuned in is Manu playing tonight??

[benefactor]

They are going to have to battle pretty much the whole game with no size on the floor. None of this should be surprising.

[timvp]

Damn, Philly's defense is suffocating, especially when the pace is slow.

[spurspokesman]

we are going thru the motions

[Juggity]

just tuned in is Manu playing tonight??

Yep, he has 7 minutes so far, made one shot

[MI21]

Loving Jacks competitiveness in the last couple of minutes, driving to the hoops, crashing the boards and setting up DeJuan on the PnR. The shooting is streaky, but everything else is just miles and miles above what RJ ever offered.

[hater]

Yep, he has 7 minutes so far, made one shot

tnx

[spurspokesman]

just tuned in is Manu playing tonight??
yea. real iffy too

[EVAY]

Man, all of the spurs look whipped...because they are.

TP is playing hurt...Ginobili hasn't completely gotten his touch back from being out for so long, and our tallest player is 6'7".

Overall, I think we are doing about as well as we can in the circumstances.

Everybody ought to ease up a bit.

[hater]

yea. real iffy too

:tu

[hater]

shit I'm tired of watching these guys 3 days. I can only imagine their bodies

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Green 3333333333333333333333

[benefactor]

Good to see. Perhaps he's on the upswing.

[GB20]

big shot from green

[MannyIsGod]

Love watching the Spurs when they play shorthanded. Always have, always will.

[Juggity]

We need more of that shooting form green

[loveforthegame]

Damn that was sweet.

[foodie2]

Not a Bonner fan but Spurs play picked up when Bonner came in. Coincidence?

[Spurs Brazil]

Green 333333333333

[bklynspursfan]

There we go. great 24 secs of defense

[spurspokesman]

green is money

[Chachachango]

Fucking Bonner Get The Fucking Ball.

[MannyIsGod]

Holy shit. WOW.

[bklynspursfan]

Great pass!

[Chachachango]

Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaur

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Great dunk Grizzly

[Cant_Be_Faded]

What's up with Blair getting dunks all a sudden

[loveforthegame]

Dude. That was quick.

[Cry Havoc]

ME oh MY DEJUAN BLAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mal]

attaboy

[szkorhetz]

Blair is a beast tonight. Once again after last night.. :)
picking up Diaw made him hungrier.

[Texas_Ranger]

Blair actualy playing great.

[angelbelow]

Damn forgot they picked up Sam Young too. Struggles are to be expected - Philly is a really tough team:

- Ranked number 1 in hollinger's defensive efficiency rating.
- 1st in the league holding opponents to 87.5 PPG
- 1st in the league holding opponents to .418 FG%

Still expecting a victory though ^_^

[benefactor]

Blair waking the team up. Why hasn't he done that all year?

[timvp]

So, why can Blair suddenly dunk again? I can't think of any other reason than he came to camp fat.

[MannyIsGod]

LOL man, not sure I ever thought Dejuan could jump that far.

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair DUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cry Havoc]

Blair just shitting on TimVP's assertion that his knees are shot. :lmao

[Robz4000]

lol Blair. That was epic.

[spurspokesman]

throw it down big man45

[siraulo23]

good run by spurs...

[biziofromdowntown]

Blair is on fire baby

[Fermixalot]

Someone told Dejuan they closed down the Whataburger at the ATT Center and he just took it out on the rim!

[SpursRock20]

The Dancing Bear! O mama!

[DesignatedT]

Everyone in the thread jumping back on the bandwagon? that was quick.

[shyne]

Credit to Dejuan for playing hard all three games.

[Mal]

Put Diaw, Jax in starting 5, and play Blair, Tiago and Manu off the bench

[Juggity]

That was a monstrous dunk, sons

[GB20]

hopefully blair keeps playing like this for the rest of the year.

[DMC]

Pop was doing some weird shit having 3 new players on the floor at the same time (Jack, Diaw and D-league dude)

[MannyIsGod]

Apparently all the players read Timvps posts.

[Trainwreck2100]

He had some horizontal air on that dunk

[spurspokesman]

What's up with Blair getting dunks all a sudden
motivation homes:lol

[loveforthegame]

Good to see Blair dunking again. It's been missed.

[EVAY]

Is that three fouls on Parker?

[DMC]

Blair got the defensive 5 second call yet?

[szkorhetz]

Is that three fouls on Parker?
just two.

[Cry Havoc]

Manu is ridiculous.

[DMC]

Apparently all the players read Timvps posts.
I wouldn't doubt that some of the guys do read these forums.

[bklynspursfan]

Coach Manu

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu and one!

[Chachachango]

Lol wat?

[MannyIsGod]

Oh god stop laughing tim!

[Manu-20]

omg tech on tim