Kori Ellis
04-08-2006, 01:01 AM
Loss to Mavs frustrates Duncan
Web Posted: 04/08/2006 12:07 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040806.8C.BKNspurs.duncan.13bb519d.html
Tim Duncan was feeling better before Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks at the AT&T Center.
The stomach virus that distressed him all week finally seemed to have run its course.
The sick feeling in his belly as he exited the arena was the result of his inability to match the MVP-caliber play of Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki's during Dallas' 92-86 victory.
While Nowitzki was making 7 of 11 second-half shots and scoring 19 of his 30 points in the final two periods, Duncan was experiencing another night of frustration. The Spurs' power forward made just 5 of 15 shots, 3 of 6 free throws and committed two turnovers in a loss that kept the Spurs from gaining a solid foothold on the No.1 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
"The looks were there," Duncan said. "The shots were there. Tony (Parker) and myself both had off nights, and they capitalized on it."
While the Spurs were shifting defensive assignments on Nowitzki for much of the second half — Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Nazr Mohammed, Fabricio Oberto and Michael Finley all took turns guarding the 7-footer — the Mavericks did nothing against Duncan that he does not see in most games.
"Honestly, they just played solid defense," Duncan said. "More than anything, I just put the onus on myself. I had shots that I took that I can make. It's just about making shots."
Duncan said his inability to make shots affected all the Spurs, especially during crunch time.
"If I make a shot or two, all of a sudden I can loosen up the defense, and things can change," he said. "I just couldn't get that shot to go down early on, and it just made the rest of the game tough."
Before getting sick a day before the Spurs' victory over the Washington Wizards on April1, Duncan had begun to resemble the dominant player who led the Spurs to three championships.
He had scored 20 points in back-to-back road victories over the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. It was clear the stomach ailment robbed him of some energy over the next three games, but he reported for Friday's game feeling nearly normal.
His shot, however, seems to need an injection.
At halftime, it was hard to tell which All-Star power forward was having the worse night, Duncan or Nowitzki.
Duncan made only 2 of 8 first-half shots while Nowitzki was only 4 of 13.
Nowitzki got his game untracked in the third period and owned the second half. Nothing Duncan or any of the other Spurs' defenders tried to do to stop him worked.
"He was great down the stretch," Duncan said. "He made some great moves, made some tough shots and was just the difference in the game.
"Down the stretch there, we were right where we wanted to be. We were right within striking distance and just couldn't get over the hump."
Web Posted: 04/08/2006 12:07 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA040806.8C.BKNspurs.duncan.13bb519d.html
Tim Duncan was feeling better before Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks at the AT&T Center.
The stomach virus that distressed him all week finally seemed to have run its course.
The sick feeling in his belly as he exited the arena was the result of his inability to match the MVP-caliber play of Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki's during Dallas' 92-86 victory.
While Nowitzki was making 7 of 11 second-half shots and scoring 19 of his 30 points in the final two periods, Duncan was experiencing another night of frustration. The Spurs' power forward made just 5 of 15 shots, 3 of 6 free throws and committed two turnovers in a loss that kept the Spurs from gaining a solid foothold on the No.1 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
"The looks were there," Duncan said. "The shots were there. Tony (Parker) and myself both had off nights, and they capitalized on it."
While the Spurs were shifting defensive assignments on Nowitzki for much of the second half — Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Nazr Mohammed, Fabricio Oberto and Michael Finley all took turns guarding the 7-footer — the Mavericks did nothing against Duncan that he does not see in most games.
"Honestly, they just played solid defense," Duncan said. "More than anything, I just put the onus on myself. I had shots that I took that I can make. It's just about making shots."
Duncan said his inability to make shots affected all the Spurs, especially during crunch time.
"If I make a shot or two, all of a sudden I can loosen up the defense, and things can change," he said. "I just couldn't get that shot to go down early on, and it just made the rest of the game tough."
Before getting sick a day before the Spurs' victory over the Washington Wizards on April1, Duncan had begun to resemble the dominant player who led the Spurs to three championships.
He had scored 20 points in back-to-back road victories over the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. It was clear the stomach ailment robbed him of some energy over the next three games, but he reported for Friday's game feeling nearly normal.
His shot, however, seems to need an injection.
At halftime, it was hard to tell which All-Star power forward was having the worse night, Duncan or Nowitzki.
Duncan made only 2 of 8 first-half shots while Nowitzki was only 4 of 13.
Nowitzki got his game untracked in the third period and owned the second half. Nothing Duncan or any of the other Spurs' defenders tried to do to stop him worked.
"He was great down the stretch," Duncan said. "He made some great moves, made some tough shots and was just the difference in the game.
"Down the stretch there, we were right where we wanted to be. We were right within striking distance and just couldn't get over the hump."