Blazers at San Antonio Game Blog

[howard2]

The Oregonian
Mike Tokito
Jan 4, 2005
Link: Oregonian (http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1136341527121340.xml&coll=7)

Trail Blazers (10-20) at San Antonio (24-7)
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
--
Daunting task: Playing the defending NBA champion Spurs, who have the league's second-best record, is a challenge in itself, but other factors make tonight's game even tougher for the Blazers. Portland will be playing the second of back-to-back games, while San Antonio has had three days off. The Spurs have won three in a row after what for them was a slump -- a 5-3 stretch during which they did not have All-Star guard Manu Ginobili, who was out with a sprained ankle. Ginobili is back, having slowly increased his minutes until he had 20 points and eight assists in 24 minutes against Denver on Sunday.

Going back: If Blazers guard Charles Smith gets into the game, it will be his first playing time in SBC Center since he played 60 games for the Spurs during the 2001-02 season, when he started 22 games and averaged 7.4 points. "I know the organization really well; they treated me well," said Smith, whose teammates included Duncan, Bowen and then-rookie Parker. "You always look forward to going back to where you played and have fond memories."

Injury update: Spurs point guard Nick Van Exel -- who played for the Blazers last season -- sat out Saturday's game against Denver with an inflamed left elbow but is expected to play.

Series history: The Spurs have won eight of the last nine games between the teams, including four in a row at home. The Blazers lead all-time 62-58.

[howard2]

ESPN.com
Jan 4, 2005
Link: ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=260104024)

Portland (10-21) at San Antonio (24-7) 8:30 pm EST
SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- On the way to a possible second consecutive championship, the San Antonio Spurs remain nearly impossible to beat at home.

The Spurs can win their 10th consecutive home contest Wednesday when they face the Portland Trail Blazers.

San Antonio has won 14-of-15 on its home floor this season - the lone loss came against Chicago on November 25. The Spurs are 52-4 in the regular season here dating to the start of last season.

The Spurs should be well rested after Saturday's 98-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Tim Duncan scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Manu Ginobili came off the bench to add 20.

While San Antonio has the best record in the Western Conference, Portland has the worst with 10 wins in 31 games. Only New York and Atlanta have fewer victories.

Zach Randolph scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who dropped their 14th game in 19 outings with Tuesday's 95-81 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the first contest of a three-game road trip.

Ruben Patterson added 19 points for Portland, which shot 37 percent (31-of-84) from the floor and missed all seven attempts from the arc.

The Spurs have won eight of the last nine meetings against the Trail Blazers.
================================================== ===
Today's Line
FAVORITE OPEN CUR UNDERDOG O/U
SAN ANTONIO -14 15 PORTLAND 184

[howard2]

CBS Sports Line
Jan 4, 2005
Link: SportsLine (http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/preview/NBA_20060104_POR@SA)

GAME: Portland Trail Blazers (10-21) at San Antonio Spurs (24-7).
Manu Ginobili is adjusting well to coming off the bench for San Antonio.

Ginobili looks to help the defending NBA champion Spurs extend their impressive home winning streak when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.

Ginobili returned Dec. 27 after missing eight games with a sprained right foot, and has come off the bench in each of his three games back. On Saturday, he had his best game since returning, scoring 20 points and picking up a season-best eight assists in 24 minutes in San Antonio's 98-88 win at Denver.

"I try play the same all the time," said Ginobili, who is still working his way back from the injury. "I'll play hard if I play five minutes or five seconds. If I start or come off the bench. I will play hard. I will play tough and I will play aggressively. I try to get my rhythm going immediately."

Ginobili averaged 16 points per game last season. This season, the Argentinian guard is averaging 15.1 points in 21 games.

Teammate Robert Horry, who scored 10 points off the bench Saturday, said that it takes time to adjust to playing as a reserve.

"You have to get into the right mindset. It took me forever when I first started coming off the bench," Horry said. "You have to learn how to stay loose and stay warm. It was tough for me at first. You become used to it. Just like old hat after a while."

Tim Duncan added 25 points for the Spurs, who have won nine straight at home. San Antonio's only home loss this season came on Nov. 25, when it fell 106-99 to Chicago.

Tony Parker, who ranks second on the team with 19.5 points per game, managed just six against the Nuggets - the first time this season he has failed to score in double digits.

The Blazers lost their third straight Tuesday, falling 95-81 to the Dallas Mavericks. Zach Randolph had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Ruben Patterson added 19 points for Portland, which has lost 14 of 19.

Starting forward Viktor Khryapa left the game in the second quarter after he dislocated a finger on his right hand, but returned in the third quarter. He finished with just three points and two rebounds in 19 minutes.

Guard Sebastian Telfair was inactive for the 10th time this season, sitting out with a sprained right thumb. Darius Miles, the Blazers' second-leading scorer at 18.2 points per game, remained inactive with a right knee injury.

The Spurs have won eight of their last nine matchups with the Blazers.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Going back: If Blazers guard Charles Smith gets into the game, it will be his first playing time in SBC Center since he played 60 games for the Spurs during the 2001-02 season, when he started 22 games and averaged 7.4 points. "I know the organization really well; they treated me well," said Smith, whose teammates included Duncan, Bowen and then-rookie Parker. "You always look forward to going back to where you played and have fond memories."

Won't it be his first time playing at SBC? Wasn't Smith's last year with the Spurs the last year they were in the Alamodome?

[ZStomp]

Won't it be his first time playing at SBC? Wasn't Smith's last year with the Spurs the last year they were in the Alamodome?


Yea. The SBC Center Open in November 2002.

[tlongII]

The Blazers lead all-time 62-58.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know if anyone is actually watching basketball tonight, but here's the blog.

Game time 7:30pm.

[Texas Headliner]

I have a feeling Manu will go off tonight.

My boy Manu can't be stopped!

[ShoogarBear]

The Blazers lead all-time 62-58.

Does that include games after they cut the bottom out of the peach basket?

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Go Ut!!!!

[spurschick]

Is there a football game on tonight?
GO SPURS!

[ALVAREZ6]

Manu and TD better dominate, my fantasy team needs it.






GO SPURS

[spurschick]

"Manu never fills in, he justs fills it up."
Thank you FOXSW. :tu

[bendmz]

should be a cake walk.....

[Leetonidas]

We're the only ones not watching the Rose Bowl. :lol

[bendmz]

flipping back and forth

[bendmz]

Rasho for 2.....

[Leetonidas]

OMFG Tim Monster Dunk!

[spurschick]

Daaaaayyyyyummmm! Timmy!

[rashofan1]

go rasho go

[bendmz]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[bendmz]

Tim is getting slick.....

[bendmz]

Tim playing mighty tough.....

[bendmz]

guess most folks are watching football.....

[bendmz]

The Fin Strikes !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vashner]

lol everyones watching Football tonight...

[beck253]

Wow! Finally the "man in charge" noted he has a league Top 15 player forgotten in the bench.

[spurschick]

This reminds me of a cat playing with a mouse, tossing it around a little, just before he kills it.

[Manu20]

Rasho with 12 points at the half! :wow

Duncan has 15 points 8 rebounds and Parker with 7 assists so far. :tu

[ducks]

T. Duncan 18 5-10 0-0 3-3 4 8 0 1 0 3 1 13
R. Nesterovic 17 6-7 0-0 0-0 1 2 0 1 0 0 2 12
T. Parker 15 4-7 0-0 2-2 0 1 7 1 0 0 0 10

[sanman53]

Nice first half RASHO!

[manu]

how many pts does manu have?

[Rummpd]

In other news Dallas getting hammered by Mn (14 down) and Miami getting just brulalized by the NOK!

[T Park]

What a sick ass dunk by FIN!!

[bendmz]

what a save

[bendmz]

who was that masked man ?

[bendmz]

I thought they postponed this game because of the rose bowl

FOR REAL ?????

[ObiwanGinobili]

16 pts ahead.
I ma gonna be vBookie rich.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Seanism #3004 : "check your pockets 'cause he just took everything!"

[bendmz]

Narz.................

[bendmz]

The Naz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[1Parker1]

In other games: Miami loses to the Hornets (see, it's not just the Spurs! :lol) and Dallas loses to the TWolves!

[loveforthegame]

Nice to see the Spurs get a little more space between them and the Mavs.

I want to see that Finley dunk again.

[T Park]

Turnover Beno, strikes again.

[MI21]

In other games: Miami loses to the Hornets (see, it's not just the Spurs! ) and Dallas loses to the TWolves!

LeBron drops a triple double on the Bucks, too.

[bendmz]

alright, Berto is in

[bendmz]

go Bert !!!!!

[ObiwanGinobili]

side note:
blazers have ugliest uni's in the NBA
where's the dress code for that?

[bendmz]

172 points

[bendmz]

176

[bendmz]

vbookie $$$$$$$$$

[1Parker1]

YAayyyyyyyyyyyy! I finally won a Vbookie after so long! :)

[bendmz]

179

[bendmz]

181 vbookie bucks !!!!!!!!!

[Rummpd]

I called this one wrong predicted a big Spurs lead then a little let down in the 4th but Spurs are on a roll - it is only bookie points!

Damm good show now go Horns!

[Manu20]

The Spurs outrebounded the blazers 57-30!!:tu

Also, the Spurs had 6 players in double figures!:tu

[ducks]

M. Olowokandi 20 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 4 1 2 0 0 5 0
sucks!

[spurschick]

Sigh... 3 more points would have been nice.

[Warlord23]

Nice beatdown today. Of course, I lost vbookie ... again. Damn the Spurs are hard to predict from game to game.

Many thanks to Marko Jaric for owning Jason Terry and putting the Spurs 2 games up over the Mavs.

[bigbendbruisebrother]

M. Olowokandi 20 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 4 1 2 0 0 5 0
sucks!

So does:

N. Van Exel
20:09 0-5 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 0 2 0 0

I've waited and watched. I've come to this conclusion:

Beno>Nick

Free Beno. Let the Slovenian resurgence blossom. :drunk

[T Park]

no thanks.

Ill take a PG with juevos,

than one that gets scared when the frightfull lindsey Hunter steps on the court.



Free Beno


No thanks.

Keep the shackles on TurnoverBeno and The practicedummy kiwi

[TDMVPDPOY]

beno had a mad game!!!

td played lest then 30mins, but his stats per48min is up....

[TDMVPDPOY]

loss all me vbookie on this game :(

[angel_luv]

Rasho with 12 points at the half! :wow




Fear the Sho! :elephant Slovenia is :king

[T Park]

Rasho was playing against Portland.

Lets not get carried away.

[loveforthegame]

You can see 2 pictures of Fin's dunk here.

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/FrameSet.aspx?s=EventImagesSearchState%7c1%7c0%7c2 8%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c1%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c55994170%7c0%7c0%7 c0%7c0%7c0%7c%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0&p=2&tag=3

It's also in the highlights on the Spurs official site.

[Nephets]

Did ANYBODY watch this game? :lol

I'm still on an emotional high for my Longhorns! :elephant

[mikejones99]

Of course most people watched the great San Antonio Spurs. Professional basketball is better than amateurs.

[RashoFan]

go rasho go
Another "rashofan"? WTH? Glad I snagged this name first!!hahahhahahahahahahahaahahhaaahahahahhahhaha hahhahahahhahahhhahahhahhahhhhhhhhahaahhahahhaahha hhahahahhahhahahahhhhhahahahahahahaha!!!!
Signed,
The "ORIGINAL" RashoFan:D

[Slo spurs fan]

Rasho was playing against Portland.

Lets not get carried away.
And Nazr played against Miami :rolleyes

[Solid D]

http://spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/060104/gallery1/060104_01.jpg

[Bloodline666]

The Spurs really put the Blazers in their place tonight: BEHIND BARS!


who the hell was guarding randolph?

1-14? HAHAHAHA dont tell me it was the mighty bruce

DPOY = Bruce
Randolph was being guarded by Timmy, since he wasn't much of a perimiter threat. (Timmy handles the huge inside threats, while the Mighty Mighty Bruce Almighty goes after the huge perimiter threats)

Bruce most likely had his hands full guarding the one that stole the nickname that rightfully belongs to Bruce...the "Kobe Stopper", himself. :lol

[travis2]

I was AT the game...but with a radio in my ear...:lol

[ObiwanGinobili]

http://spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/060104/gallery1/060104_01.jpg
damn thats sick.
he looks so scared... like he's frozen just waiting for Finfin to land on his head.

[sanman53]

http://spursinfo.com/photos/spurs/060104/gallery1/060104_01.jpg

Geeez, nice poster!!!

[T Park]

And Nazr played against Miami

something lost in translation maybe???

This makes no sense.

Mohammed/Nesterovic combo last night was great, but lets see em do it against Minnesota, Phoenix, and especially Detroit.

[Dario]

Dont you worry Tpark, you'll find something to shit about when these games are played.

[infinite styles]

who the hell was guarding randolph?

1-14? HAHAHAHA dont tell me it was the mighty bruce

DPOY = Bruce

Randolph blamed his poor night on a head cold. He said that he shouldn't have even played. Whatever! :hat

[duluthfr]

hello :-) i have a little question to ask: does anyone know if eva was present at the spurs game against portland?
thank you very much in advance :-)