Kori Ellis
03-07-2006, 01:59 AM
Spurs go distance with shots from deep
Web Posted: 03/07/2006 12:23 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030706.1D.BKNspurs.lakers.gamer.dbc1135.html
LOS ANGELES — Manu Ginobili found the game he was looking for, along with his outside stroke, as did nearly everyone else wearing black Monday night.
Ginobili scored 21 points, throwing in four 3-pointers in a game-turning 3½-minute stretch in the third quarter, as the Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 at the Staples Center for their seventh consecutive victory.
Michael Finley and Tony Parker also had 21 apiece as the Spurs overcame 43 points from Kobe Bryant. Tim Duncan left midway through the fourth quarter after getting poked in the right eye, but he likely will play tonight when the Spurs return to the Staples Center to face the Clippers.
The Spurs made a season-high 12 3-pointers, including five each from Ginobili and Finley. In the second half, the team buried 10 of its 14 attempts to match the franchise record.
Los Angeles was coming off a victory over Detroit on Saturday. The Pistons were at the end of a four-game trip, and Lakers coach Phil Jackson said his team probably caught them on the right night.
He wasn't quite as confident the Lakers would catch the Spurs on the same.
"San Antonio looks like they're struggling a little bit physically with Tim Duncan and Ginobili, but they're still finding a way to win those ball games," Jackson said before the game.
"Whether they're going to fatigue — and a lot of times it happens to teams who have to go all the way through the playoffs — or not is still the big question. Because this is all just a dance to get to the playoffs, all these 82 games.
"For us, it's a Bataan March."
Ginobili, likewise, has trudged along for three weeks, seeking the explosiveness he's lost from repeatedly spraining his right ankle. He entered Monday averaging 10 points on 31.7 percent shooting in the previous eight games.
Despite his struggles, Ginobili had remained patient. The team was winning. Parker was playing well. Ginobili figured his own time would come.
During the first half, it didn't look like it would be Monday. Ginobili scored nine points but had trouble finishing inside.
Bryant didn't take his first shot until 5:30 remained in the first quarter. Naturally, the Spurs wished he would have waited even longer.
Bryant reeled off 10 points over the next 2 minutes, 23 seconds as the Lakers surged ahead. His driving layup at the first-half buzzer left the Lakers with a 45-43 lead.
Los Angeles shot 47.6 percent in the first half, likely prompting Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to counsel his team on the importance of defense.
As it turned out, the Lakers could have used a similar speech. By the time Jack Nicholson returned to his courtside seat four minutes into the second half, the Spurs had a 58-49 lead. Ginobili buried two 3-pointers during the flurry and Bruce Bowen had another.
Jackson signaled for a timeout, lectured the Lakers, then watched Ginobili set his feet behind the left side of the arc and drill two more 25-footers.
Ginobili's four 3-pointers were one shy of the franchise record for a quarter. The six the Spurs made as a team in the quarter matched the record they set last season against the Lakers.
Duncan, who finished with 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, took a shot in the eye from Lakers point guard Smush Parker midway through the final quarter as he was trying to get rid of the ball. Duncan fell to the floor and remained there for a few minutes holding his head before going to the locker room.
Parker nearly joined him a couple of minutes later when Lamar Odom clubbed him on a drive to the rim. After hitting the court with a thud, Parker bounced to his feet, missed his free throws then helped finish off the Lakers with three long jump shots.
Web Posted: 03/07/2006 12:23 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030706.1D.BKNspurs.lakers.gamer.dbc1135.html
LOS ANGELES — Manu Ginobili found the game he was looking for, along with his outside stroke, as did nearly everyone else wearing black Monday night.
Ginobili scored 21 points, throwing in four 3-pointers in a game-turning 3½-minute stretch in the third quarter, as the Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 at the Staples Center for their seventh consecutive victory.
Michael Finley and Tony Parker also had 21 apiece as the Spurs overcame 43 points from Kobe Bryant. Tim Duncan left midway through the fourth quarter after getting poked in the right eye, but he likely will play tonight when the Spurs return to the Staples Center to face the Clippers.
The Spurs made a season-high 12 3-pointers, including five each from Ginobili and Finley. In the second half, the team buried 10 of its 14 attempts to match the franchise record.
Los Angeles was coming off a victory over Detroit on Saturday. The Pistons were at the end of a four-game trip, and Lakers coach Phil Jackson said his team probably caught them on the right night.
He wasn't quite as confident the Lakers would catch the Spurs on the same.
"San Antonio looks like they're struggling a little bit physically with Tim Duncan and Ginobili, but they're still finding a way to win those ball games," Jackson said before the game.
"Whether they're going to fatigue — and a lot of times it happens to teams who have to go all the way through the playoffs — or not is still the big question. Because this is all just a dance to get to the playoffs, all these 82 games.
"For us, it's a Bataan March."
Ginobili, likewise, has trudged along for three weeks, seeking the explosiveness he's lost from repeatedly spraining his right ankle. He entered Monday averaging 10 points on 31.7 percent shooting in the previous eight games.
Despite his struggles, Ginobili had remained patient. The team was winning. Parker was playing well. Ginobili figured his own time would come.
During the first half, it didn't look like it would be Monday. Ginobili scored nine points but had trouble finishing inside.
Bryant didn't take his first shot until 5:30 remained in the first quarter. Naturally, the Spurs wished he would have waited even longer.
Bryant reeled off 10 points over the next 2 minutes, 23 seconds as the Lakers surged ahead. His driving layup at the first-half buzzer left the Lakers with a 45-43 lead.
Los Angeles shot 47.6 percent in the first half, likely prompting Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to counsel his team on the importance of defense.
As it turned out, the Lakers could have used a similar speech. By the time Jack Nicholson returned to his courtside seat four minutes into the second half, the Spurs had a 58-49 lead. Ginobili buried two 3-pointers during the flurry and Bruce Bowen had another.
Jackson signaled for a timeout, lectured the Lakers, then watched Ginobili set his feet behind the left side of the arc and drill two more 25-footers.
Ginobili's four 3-pointers were one shy of the franchise record for a quarter. The six the Spurs made as a team in the quarter matched the record they set last season against the Lakers.
Duncan, who finished with 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, took a shot in the eye from Lakers point guard Smush Parker midway through the final quarter as he was trying to get rid of the ball. Duncan fell to the floor and remained there for a few minutes holding his head before going to the locker room.
Parker nearly joined him a couple of minutes later when Lamar Odom clubbed him on a drive to the rim. After hitting the court with a thud, Parker bounced to his feet, missed his free throws then helped finish off the Lakers with three long jump shots.