Spurzilla
12-10-2005, 06:53 AM
SPURS 101, CELTICS 89
Celtics cannot keep up
San Antonio uses timely spurts to lead
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | December 10, 2005
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2005/12/10/celtics_cannot_keep_up)
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio has a habit of toying with opponents. That happens when the regular season serves as a prelude to a lengthy playoff run and, possibly, a second consecutive NBA title. The Spurs don't have to play particularly well to defeat a team such as the Celtics. They can turn it on in spurts and still come away with a win.
Even though Boston coach Doc Rivers thought the Spurs ''were beatable," mediocre for the reigning champions proved more than enough last night at the SBC Center as they put away the Celtics, 101-89.
After making runs when needed in the first, second, and third quarters, San Antonio could afford to trade baskets in the fourth. When Michael Finley knocked down a 3-pointer with 5 minutes 17 seconds remaining as third-string point guard Dan Dickau waited to check in, it was clear the Spurs (16-3) had another win in hand. Despite rallying on a few occasions in an encouraging show of resiliency and mental toughness, the Celtics (8-11) never quite caught up. Before a crowd of 18,797, San Antonio extended its winning streak to a season-high six games. The Celtics have now lost 15 straight in San Antonio and 17 straight to the Spurs overall.
''They're a well-oiled machine," said Paul Pierce (24 points, 7 rebounds), who struggled early, forcing passes and then shooting in the face of double teams. ''They've been together a long time. They understand what it takes. They're great at executing. They are definitely a team we can learn from. Whenever we made a run, they made sure they got into their offense, made sure they got good shots and got stops when they needed them. It's very frustrating, but that's what makes them the best right now. They're able to withstand runs. They don't get rattled. Then, they counter with runs."
Do they ever. And in demoralizing fashion for the Green. After entering halftime behind, 51-42, thanks to a last-second layup by Delonte West, the Celtics opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run and closed within 3 points on a couple of occasions, the second coming when Raef LaFrentz cut the deficit to 56-53 with a 3-pointer. But true to the pattern established in the first half, the Spurs answered with a bigger, better run. They went on a 15-2 tear that gave them a 71-55 lead with 3:23 remaining in the third. For all intents and purposes, it was San Antonio's decisive run, though the Celtics trailed only, 75-65, at the end of the quarter. Al Jefferson hit a layup as the third ended, giving Boston some momentum, but not enough, headed into the final period.
Tim Duncan started the run with a pair of free throws. Then, the Spurs went outside for a 20-footer and 3-pointer from Bruce Bowen. Next, San Antonio went back to attacking inside and was rewarded with a driving layup by Parker and a dunk by Brent Barry. Duncan and Tony Parker capped the run with free throws. Aside from that spurt, the Spurs struggled offensively in the third, though the Celtics failed to take advantage. The Spurs finished shooting 49 percent, despite unspectacular nights for Parker (16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Manu Ginobili (14 points).
''There were some ups and downs throughout the game, but we were still able to get the win," said Duncan (20 points, 11 rebounds). ''The layups at the end of quarters was a down for us, and hopefully we can learn from that."
That comment by itself sums up the difference between the teams. While the Spurs are in the business of refining their play and focusing on a pair of defensive lapses, the Celtics are still trying to find consistency and chemistry. Rivers, once again, raised the issue of costly mental errors down the stretch.
Early on, Pierce and Ricky Davis (19 points, 7 assists) struggled offensively. Mark Blount benefited from extra touches and led Boston at the break, earning 13 of his 19 points in the first half. Rivers called Blount ''fantastic," lauding his defensive effort more than his numbers on offense, and acknowledging that the sixth-man center is best when engaged. The challenge now is to keep him that way. Rivers raised the possibility of a lineup change against Dallas tonight, though doubted that would include returning Blount to the starting lineup.
After falling behind by 8 points early in the first quarter, the Celtics rallied to close within 2 points (10-8) on a 6-foot hook shot by Blount. Boston stayed closed until a 7-0 run pushed the home team in front, 19-10. The Spurs led, 22-17, at the end of one. Boston tried to rally again and closed within 3 (22-19) on a 14-footer by Davis early in the second. But no sooner had Davis hit the shot than the Spurs started an 8-1 run.
As the second quarter neared its end, Boston had a right to be reasonably pleased trailing by only 6 (39-33), despite allowing San Antonio to shoot 57 percent during the quarter. But the Celtics got no closer as, once again, the Spurs staged another timely run, a 10-2 spurt that featured contributions from Barry (a 21-footer), Duncan (a block and three rebounds, not to mention a 14-footer), Bowen (a pair of baskets inside), and Parker (a 6-footer on the break). Although Boston would again close in during the third, San Antonio had established a pattern that would keep it ahead.
''It's like [a] yo-yo," said Rivers. ''They bring us close and then we go the other way. I look at them and Detroit right now. Someday, this is where we want to be."
Celtics cannot keep up
San Antonio uses timely spurts to lead
By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | December 10, 2005
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2005/12/10/celtics_cannot_keep_up)
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio has a habit of toying with opponents. That happens when the regular season serves as a prelude to a lengthy playoff run and, possibly, a second consecutive NBA title. The Spurs don't have to play particularly well to defeat a team such as the Celtics. They can turn it on in spurts and still come away with a win.
Even though Boston coach Doc Rivers thought the Spurs ''were beatable," mediocre for the reigning champions proved more than enough last night at the SBC Center as they put away the Celtics, 101-89.
After making runs when needed in the first, second, and third quarters, San Antonio could afford to trade baskets in the fourth. When Michael Finley knocked down a 3-pointer with 5 minutes 17 seconds remaining as third-string point guard Dan Dickau waited to check in, it was clear the Spurs (16-3) had another win in hand. Despite rallying on a few occasions in an encouraging show of resiliency and mental toughness, the Celtics (8-11) never quite caught up. Before a crowd of 18,797, San Antonio extended its winning streak to a season-high six games. The Celtics have now lost 15 straight in San Antonio and 17 straight to the Spurs overall.
''They're a well-oiled machine," said Paul Pierce (24 points, 7 rebounds), who struggled early, forcing passes and then shooting in the face of double teams. ''They've been together a long time. They understand what it takes. They're great at executing. They are definitely a team we can learn from. Whenever we made a run, they made sure they got into their offense, made sure they got good shots and got stops when they needed them. It's very frustrating, but that's what makes them the best right now. They're able to withstand runs. They don't get rattled. Then, they counter with runs."
Do they ever. And in demoralizing fashion for the Green. After entering halftime behind, 51-42, thanks to a last-second layup by Delonte West, the Celtics opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run and closed within 3 points on a couple of occasions, the second coming when Raef LaFrentz cut the deficit to 56-53 with a 3-pointer. But true to the pattern established in the first half, the Spurs answered with a bigger, better run. They went on a 15-2 tear that gave them a 71-55 lead with 3:23 remaining in the third. For all intents and purposes, it was San Antonio's decisive run, though the Celtics trailed only, 75-65, at the end of the quarter. Al Jefferson hit a layup as the third ended, giving Boston some momentum, but not enough, headed into the final period.
Tim Duncan started the run with a pair of free throws. Then, the Spurs went outside for a 20-footer and 3-pointer from Bruce Bowen. Next, San Antonio went back to attacking inside and was rewarded with a driving layup by Parker and a dunk by Brent Barry. Duncan and Tony Parker capped the run with free throws. Aside from that spurt, the Spurs struggled offensively in the third, though the Celtics failed to take advantage. The Spurs finished shooting 49 percent, despite unspectacular nights for Parker (16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Manu Ginobili (14 points).
''There were some ups and downs throughout the game, but we were still able to get the win," said Duncan (20 points, 11 rebounds). ''The layups at the end of quarters was a down for us, and hopefully we can learn from that."
That comment by itself sums up the difference between the teams. While the Spurs are in the business of refining their play and focusing on a pair of defensive lapses, the Celtics are still trying to find consistency and chemistry. Rivers, once again, raised the issue of costly mental errors down the stretch.
Early on, Pierce and Ricky Davis (19 points, 7 assists) struggled offensively. Mark Blount benefited from extra touches and led Boston at the break, earning 13 of his 19 points in the first half. Rivers called Blount ''fantastic," lauding his defensive effort more than his numbers on offense, and acknowledging that the sixth-man center is best when engaged. The challenge now is to keep him that way. Rivers raised the possibility of a lineup change against Dallas tonight, though doubted that would include returning Blount to the starting lineup.
After falling behind by 8 points early in the first quarter, the Celtics rallied to close within 2 points (10-8) on a 6-foot hook shot by Blount. Boston stayed closed until a 7-0 run pushed the home team in front, 19-10. The Spurs led, 22-17, at the end of one. Boston tried to rally again and closed within 3 (22-19) on a 14-footer by Davis early in the second. But no sooner had Davis hit the shot than the Spurs started an 8-1 run.
As the second quarter neared its end, Boston had a right to be reasonably pleased trailing by only 6 (39-33), despite allowing San Antonio to shoot 57 percent during the quarter. But the Celtics got no closer as, once again, the Spurs staged another timely run, a 10-2 spurt that featured contributions from Barry (a 21-footer), Duncan (a block and three rebounds, not to mention a 14-footer), Bowen (a pair of baskets inside), and Parker (a 6-footer on the break). Although Boston would again close in during the third, San Antonio had established a pattern that would keep it ahead.
''It's like [a] yo-yo," said Rivers. ''They bring us close and then we go the other way. I look at them and Detroit right now. Someday, this is where we want to be."