Kori Ellis
12-04-2005, 03:47 AM
Spurs notebook: Bowen stops Iverson cold in third
Web Posted: 12/04/2005 12:16 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120405.9C.BKNspurs.notebook.bowen.3547cb4.html
For the second time in five days, Bruce Bowen spent the evening guarding the NBA's leading scorer.
Allen Iverson, who entered Saturday's game averaging a league-best 34 points, finished with 37 against the Spurs on 32 shots. Bowen, however, helped the Spurs take control in the third quarter when he held Iverson without a basket.
Tony Parker opened the game on Iverson before giving way to Bowen in the second quarter.
"I can use my length and I've played against him a lot more than Tony," Bowen said. "I played with (Iverson in Philadelphia). I used to guard him in practice, so I kind of know him a little better than Tony does.
"It's just a matter of getting a hand up on each and every shot and giving him enough space. I feel like if I give him space, I can slide or beat him to a certain spot."
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was the league's top scorer before Bowen helped limit him to 25 points on 9-of-33 shooting Tuesday. In part because of Bowen's performance, Bryant fell below Iverson for the scoring lead.
In between chasing Bryant and Iverson, Bowen also held Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki to 14 points Thursday on 3-of-13 shooting.
"I think he's the most talented defender in the league in the sense that he guards more different kinds of players than I think anybody does," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "You go from guarding the Nowitzkis to point guards to (shooting) guards, to (small forwards). I don't know how many people can do that. He's incredible."
Iverson said Bowen's reputation as one of the league's best defenders helped him Saturday.
"They honestly let him play," Iverson said. "They let him be as aggressive from the beginning to the end of the game. They just let him get away with a lot of stuff."
Bowen didn't see anything special in his weeklong performance.
"It's what I do," he said. "I enjoy it."
Ankle shelves Ginobili again: As Manu Ginobili walked onto the court early Saturday evening to warm up, Tim Duncan greeted him as he would a long-lost friend.
Unfortunately for Duncan and the Spurs, Ginobili didn't stay for long.
Ginobili did a little bit of running and shooting before the game, but that was the extent of his activity. His right foot was too sore to allow him to play for the second consecutive game.
"We'll see how he does for Orlando," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
The Spurs play the Magic on Monday in Orlando.
Ginobili was hurt in the fourth quarter Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed a bone bruise on his ankle.
Ginobili's absence has allowed Michael Finley to start the past two games and receive more minutes playing with Tim Duncan.
"Players need minutes to get in rhythm," Popovich said. "If any good is going to come from an injury, it's that other people have an opportunity to step up."
Mr. Forceful: Tim Duncan quietly finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
But he got everyone's attention with two of his better dunks of the season.
Early in the second half, he drove into the lane and dunked over the head of 76ers center Samuel Dalembert.
In the fourth quarter, Duncan spun by Chris Webber on the baseline for a two-handed slam.
Web Posted: 12/04/2005 12:16 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120405.9C.BKNspurs.notebook.bowen.3547cb4.html
For the second time in five days, Bruce Bowen spent the evening guarding the NBA's leading scorer.
Allen Iverson, who entered Saturday's game averaging a league-best 34 points, finished with 37 against the Spurs on 32 shots. Bowen, however, helped the Spurs take control in the third quarter when he held Iverson without a basket.
Tony Parker opened the game on Iverson before giving way to Bowen in the second quarter.
"I can use my length and I've played against him a lot more than Tony," Bowen said. "I played with (Iverson in Philadelphia). I used to guard him in practice, so I kind of know him a little better than Tony does.
"It's just a matter of getting a hand up on each and every shot and giving him enough space. I feel like if I give him space, I can slide or beat him to a certain spot."
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was the league's top scorer before Bowen helped limit him to 25 points on 9-of-33 shooting Tuesday. In part because of Bowen's performance, Bryant fell below Iverson for the scoring lead.
In between chasing Bryant and Iverson, Bowen also held Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki to 14 points Thursday on 3-of-13 shooting.
"I think he's the most talented defender in the league in the sense that he guards more different kinds of players than I think anybody does," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "You go from guarding the Nowitzkis to point guards to (shooting) guards, to (small forwards). I don't know how many people can do that. He's incredible."
Iverson said Bowen's reputation as one of the league's best defenders helped him Saturday.
"They honestly let him play," Iverson said. "They let him be as aggressive from the beginning to the end of the game. They just let him get away with a lot of stuff."
Bowen didn't see anything special in his weeklong performance.
"It's what I do," he said. "I enjoy it."
Ankle shelves Ginobili again: As Manu Ginobili walked onto the court early Saturday evening to warm up, Tim Duncan greeted him as he would a long-lost friend.
Unfortunately for Duncan and the Spurs, Ginobili didn't stay for long.
Ginobili did a little bit of running and shooting before the game, but that was the extent of his activity. His right foot was too sore to allow him to play for the second consecutive game.
"We'll see how he does for Orlando," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
The Spurs play the Magic on Monday in Orlando.
Ginobili was hurt in the fourth quarter Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed a bone bruise on his ankle.
Ginobili's absence has allowed Michael Finley to start the past two games and receive more minutes playing with Tim Duncan.
"Players need minutes to get in rhythm," Popovich said. "If any good is going to come from an injury, it's that other people have an opportunity to step up."
Mr. Forceful: Tim Duncan quietly finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
But he got everyone's attention with two of his better dunks of the season.
Early in the second half, he drove into the lane and dunked over the head of 76ers center Samuel Dalembert.
In the fourth quarter, Duncan spun by Chris Webber on the baseline for a two-handed slam.