Kori Ellis
12-15-2006, 01:51 AM
Spurs rip injured Hornets in Big Easy
Web Posted: 12/15/2006 12:27 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121506.01D.BKNspurs.hornets.gamer.368859a.html
NEW ORLEANS — With the NBA returning to New Orleans on Thursday night, Hornets point guard Chris Paul appealed to the locals for help. He walked to center court with a microphone, reminded the crowd that the Hornets were "shorthanded" and asked for its enthusiastic support.
Unfortunately for Paul, his request fell on deaf ears.
Behind 24 points from Manu Ginobili and 19 from Tony Parker, the Spurs routed the depleted Hornets 103-77 at New Orleans Arena. The performance failed to inspire the 15,140 fans, who — in addition to being about 3,000 short of a sellout — reserved their loudest ovation for New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister.
The Hornets "came into the season with a certain expectation, signing some free agents and making some trades and all of a sudden those guys aren't on the floor," Tim Duncan said. "They've been really killed by injuries.
"But we came in here with a couple things in mind: they're in our division; we're on a back-to-back; we're on the road. All those things were motivating enough for us to win this game."
The Spurs were making their first appearance in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina forced the Hornets to Oklahoma City. The Hornets plan to return full-time to New Orleans next season and Thursday was the second of six games they are playing here to reconnect with the city.
The game was nationally broadcast on TNT, which also brought Charles Barkley and the rest of the network's popular studio show. But while TNT may claim to know drama, viewers had to wait for the "Law & Order" reruns to see any Thursday.
The Spurs took advantage of the Hornets, who were missing three starters and their top reserve. They opened a 12-point lead in the first quarter and were never seriously threatened.
In addition to their scoring, Parker and Ginobili combined for 14 assists. Paul, who is one of the few guards with the quickness to match Parker, had 12 assists, but just six points while missing 9 of 11 shots. The Spurs limited last season's NBA Rookie of the Year by occasionally trapping the Hornets' pick-and-rolls.
"We wanted to keep him under control because we think he's the head of the snake," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Tony's been picking up the court, pressuring more, really controlling things defensively."
The Spurs didn't arrive in town until noon, about six hours before they had to report to the arena. The team's flight here after Wednesday's victory over Minnesota was canceled because fog would have made it too difficult to land at the local airport.
While the Spurs were playing their fourth game in five nights, the Hornets didn't have any sympathy. While David West (right forearm strain), Peja Stojakovic (back spasms) and Bobby Jackson (cracked left rib) were all expected to be out, New Orleans also lost its starting center when Tyson Chandler called in sick Thursday morning.
The four players accounted for an average of 51.7 points and 24.5 rebounds — almost 60 percent of the team's production.
"What can you do?" Hornets coach Byron Scott asked before watching his team lose for the eighth time in 10 games. "It's part of the game. You have to try to survive it."
Chandler would have normally guarded Duncan, so Scott opened with veteran Marc Jackson at center instead of rookie Hilton Armstrong.
"If I was mad at Hilton, I'd start him against Tim Duncan," Scott said. "But I'm not mad at him. I won't do him like that."
Duncan didn't prove to be the Hornets' biggest problem. Ginobili did.
Ginobili scored 16 points in the first half, 11 in the first quarter. He made a pair of 3-pointers in the opening quarter and picked up another three points by drawing a foul behind the arc.
Ginobili's shooting allowed the Spurs to overcome early foul trouble to Parker and Bruce Bowen. Parker stayed on the court long enough in the first quarter to drop Paul to his knees with a stutter-step move before burying a jump shot over him.
Paul posted Parker on the next possession, but as he turned Duncan rotated over and blocked his shot from behind. The play summed up Paul's evening: When he needed help, it didn't arrive.
Web Posted: 12/15/2006 12:27 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121506.01D.BKNspurs.hornets.gamer.368859a.html
NEW ORLEANS — With the NBA returning to New Orleans on Thursday night, Hornets point guard Chris Paul appealed to the locals for help. He walked to center court with a microphone, reminded the crowd that the Hornets were "shorthanded" and asked for its enthusiastic support.
Unfortunately for Paul, his request fell on deaf ears.
Behind 24 points from Manu Ginobili and 19 from Tony Parker, the Spurs routed the depleted Hornets 103-77 at New Orleans Arena. The performance failed to inspire the 15,140 fans, who — in addition to being about 3,000 short of a sellout — reserved their loudest ovation for New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister.
The Hornets "came into the season with a certain expectation, signing some free agents and making some trades and all of a sudden those guys aren't on the floor," Tim Duncan said. "They've been really killed by injuries.
"But we came in here with a couple things in mind: they're in our division; we're on a back-to-back; we're on the road. All those things were motivating enough for us to win this game."
The Spurs were making their first appearance in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina forced the Hornets to Oklahoma City. The Hornets plan to return full-time to New Orleans next season and Thursday was the second of six games they are playing here to reconnect with the city.
The game was nationally broadcast on TNT, which also brought Charles Barkley and the rest of the network's popular studio show. But while TNT may claim to know drama, viewers had to wait for the "Law & Order" reruns to see any Thursday.
The Spurs took advantage of the Hornets, who were missing three starters and their top reserve. They opened a 12-point lead in the first quarter and were never seriously threatened.
In addition to their scoring, Parker and Ginobili combined for 14 assists. Paul, who is one of the few guards with the quickness to match Parker, had 12 assists, but just six points while missing 9 of 11 shots. The Spurs limited last season's NBA Rookie of the Year by occasionally trapping the Hornets' pick-and-rolls.
"We wanted to keep him under control because we think he's the head of the snake," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Tony's been picking up the court, pressuring more, really controlling things defensively."
The Spurs didn't arrive in town until noon, about six hours before they had to report to the arena. The team's flight here after Wednesday's victory over Minnesota was canceled because fog would have made it too difficult to land at the local airport.
While the Spurs were playing their fourth game in five nights, the Hornets didn't have any sympathy. While David West (right forearm strain), Peja Stojakovic (back spasms) and Bobby Jackson (cracked left rib) were all expected to be out, New Orleans also lost its starting center when Tyson Chandler called in sick Thursday morning.
The four players accounted for an average of 51.7 points and 24.5 rebounds — almost 60 percent of the team's production.
"What can you do?" Hornets coach Byron Scott asked before watching his team lose for the eighth time in 10 games. "It's part of the game. You have to try to survive it."
Chandler would have normally guarded Duncan, so Scott opened with veteran Marc Jackson at center instead of rookie Hilton Armstrong.
"If I was mad at Hilton, I'd start him against Tim Duncan," Scott said. "But I'm not mad at him. I won't do him like that."
Duncan didn't prove to be the Hornets' biggest problem. Ginobili did.
Ginobili scored 16 points in the first half, 11 in the first quarter. He made a pair of 3-pointers in the opening quarter and picked up another three points by drawing a foul behind the arc.
Ginobili's shooting allowed the Spurs to overcome early foul trouble to Parker and Bruce Bowen. Parker stayed on the court long enough in the first quarter to drop Paul to his knees with a stutter-step move before burying a jump shot over him.
Paul posted Parker on the next possession, but as he turned Duncan rotated over and blocked his shot from behind. The play summed up Paul's evening: When he needed help, it didn't arrive.