Bruno
02-15-2007, 05:50 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA021507.01C.BKNspurs.pistons.gamer.128be5b.html
Web Posted: 02/15/2007 12:09 AM CST
Heather Burns
Special to the Express-News
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Tim Duncan and Tony Parker showed off their All-Star skills early.
The pair combined for 39 points in their last game before heading to Las Vegas for the All-Star Game on Sunday. Manu Ginobili added 20 points to help the Spurs end their longest road trip of the season on a roll.
After defeating the Jason Kidd-less Nets on Tuesday, the Spurs stopped the Pistons' seven-game winning streak with a 90-81 victory Wednesday.
The Spurs finished the eight-game rodeo trip 4-4. Their previous worst rodeo-trip record was 6-2.
"We have been fairly inconsistent all year long," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "We haven't really put together very many 48-minute games and that one we played well for 48. It was actually one of our better games of the year and I just don't think that Detroit shot that well tonight."
Center Francisco Elson also gave the Spurs a lift. He had 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, helping the Spurs win the rebounding battle 45-35.
"Francisco Elson was fantastic for us," Popovich said. "He was great on the boards. He ran the floor. He was active. It's the finest game he has played for us, and I think he is finally starting to figure out our system and become comfortable with his teammates."
The Pistons came out ice-cold, making only 12 of 38 field goals (32 percent) in the first half. The Spurs, by contrast, were 23 of 41 from the floor to take a 51-34 lead at the break.
"We moved the ball and we got open shots and we took open shots," said Duncan, who had 23 points. "Those guys are a heck of defensive ball club and you have to move the ball and make their defense shift. Otherwise, they are very good at contesting shots."
Duncan said it wasn't hard to get excited about playing the East-leading Pistons. The Spurs, who started the eight-game rodeo trip 2-4, are seeking consistency.
"We are taking all games seriously right now because we are not playing very well and we are just trying to get back up on the upswing," Duncan said. "We wanted to go into the break, especially because we dropped a couple of that we should have won, with a win. It was an easy game to play."
The Spurs held off a late run by the Pistons. The Spurs led by as many as 20, 70-50 with 1:13 to play in the third quarter, before Detroit showed signs of life.
"It was sloppy first half for us, too many turnovers, a lot of mental letdowns" Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups said. "By the time we started fighting, we made it a game of it and just couldn't get over the hump."
The Pistons closed to within seven, 86-79, with 1:26 to go. Parker then lost the ball out of bounds to give it back to the Pistons. Billups' 3-point attempt with 57.9 seconds to play rattled in and out, and the Pistons' comeback chances were gone.
"If I would have made that 3-pointer it might have turned things around, maybe not," Billups said. "But when you are fighting uphill for so long, you have to play perfect."
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 20 points and Billups added 19. Chris Webber scored 14 and Rasheed Wallace 13.
"We have a lot of experienced guys and you know that Detroit is going to come back," Popovich said. "It was nice to see us maintain our composure."
The Spurs hope they can build on the victory after the All-Star break. They know they will be fighting for playoff seeding in the West.
"It was great to play like that, especially with the way we have been playing," Ginobili said. "We are not very satisfied with the way we have played the previous seven and tonight we showed that we can get through it.
"Today we were very intense and that made a big difference. On offense we moved the ball pretty well and made some shots to maintain the lead, but it all comes back to playing 48 minutes. It will be good to enjoy the break a little more, and we will be optimistic for what is coming.
"We know we can do it, we just have to start all over again, but from this point."
Web Posted: 02/15/2007 12:09 AM CST
Heather Burns
Special to the Express-News
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Tim Duncan and Tony Parker showed off their All-Star skills early.
The pair combined for 39 points in their last game before heading to Las Vegas for the All-Star Game on Sunday. Manu Ginobili added 20 points to help the Spurs end their longest road trip of the season on a roll.
After defeating the Jason Kidd-less Nets on Tuesday, the Spurs stopped the Pistons' seven-game winning streak with a 90-81 victory Wednesday.
The Spurs finished the eight-game rodeo trip 4-4. Their previous worst rodeo-trip record was 6-2.
"We have been fairly inconsistent all year long," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "We haven't really put together very many 48-minute games and that one we played well for 48. It was actually one of our better games of the year and I just don't think that Detroit shot that well tonight."
Center Francisco Elson also gave the Spurs a lift. He had 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, helping the Spurs win the rebounding battle 45-35.
"Francisco Elson was fantastic for us," Popovich said. "He was great on the boards. He ran the floor. He was active. It's the finest game he has played for us, and I think he is finally starting to figure out our system and become comfortable with his teammates."
The Pistons came out ice-cold, making only 12 of 38 field goals (32 percent) in the first half. The Spurs, by contrast, were 23 of 41 from the floor to take a 51-34 lead at the break.
"We moved the ball and we got open shots and we took open shots," said Duncan, who had 23 points. "Those guys are a heck of defensive ball club and you have to move the ball and make their defense shift. Otherwise, they are very good at contesting shots."
Duncan said it wasn't hard to get excited about playing the East-leading Pistons. The Spurs, who started the eight-game rodeo trip 2-4, are seeking consistency.
"We are taking all games seriously right now because we are not playing very well and we are just trying to get back up on the upswing," Duncan said. "We wanted to go into the break, especially because we dropped a couple of that we should have won, with a win. It was an easy game to play."
The Spurs held off a late run by the Pistons. The Spurs led by as many as 20, 70-50 with 1:13 to play in the third quarter, before Detroit showed signs of life.
"It was sloppy first half for us, too many turnovers, a lot of mental letdowns" Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups said. "By the time we started fighting, we made it a game of it and just couldn't get over the hump."
The Pistons closed to within seven, 86-79, with 1:26 to go. Parker then lost the ball out of bounds to give it back to the Pistons. Billups' 3-point attempt with 57.9 seconds to play rattled in and out, and the Pistons' comeback chances were gone.
"If I would have made that 3-pointer it might have turned things around, maybe not," Billups said. "But when you are fighting uphill for so long, you have to play perfect."
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 20 points and Billups added 19. Chris Webber scored 14 and Rasheed Wallace 13.
"We have a lot of experienced guys and you know that Detroit is going to come back," Popovich said. "It was nice to see us maintain our composure."
The Spurs hope they can build on the victory after the All-Star break. They know they will be fighting for playoff seeding in the West.
"It was great to play like that, especially with the way we have been playing," Ginobili said. "We are not very satisfied with the way we have played the previous seven and tonight we showed that we can get through it.
"Today we were very intense and that made a big difference. On offense we moved the ball pretty well and made some shots to maintain the lead, but it all comes back to playing 48 minutes. It will be good to enjoy the break a little more, and we will be optimistic for what is coming.
"We know we can do it, we just have to start all over again, but from this point."