BIG IRISH
02-27-2007, 01:41 AM
GETTING INSIDE
The Spurs face a Mt. Everest-type climb if they're going to catch either Dallas or Phoenix in the Western Conference playoff race. That said, scaling the giant is a lot easier than it used to be.
In order to make up an 8 1/2-game deficit to the Mavericks in the Southwest Division title race or a 4 1/2-game deficit to the Suns in the battle for the No. 2 playoff position in the Western Conference, the Spurs just might have to sweep through their March schedule. And you know what? Crazier things have happened.
First off, San Antonio will have to take care of business, at home, against the Raptors on Monday. A win there would extend the Spurs' winning streak to six and set the stage for a month of potential fun.
March begins with a home game against Orlando and then a four-game trip to Houston and three Western lightweights. If the Spurs can survive the Rockets, it's quite possible their streak could reach 16 before the Pistons arrive in Texas on March 23.
A win there would leave only the Jazz's visit on the 30th as a tough matchup. It really is a pretty easy month.
The question is: Would even a 15-0 March be enough to allow the Spurs to catch either of their impressive rivals by month's end? We just might get a chance to find out.
REPLAY: There's only one thing challenging for the Spurs when they host a meek team like the SuperSonics: Trying to shut down a true star like Ray Allen.
If Saturday's effort were any indication, even Kobe Bryant will want no part of a matchup with the Spurs in the playoffs.
Allen was hounded into 4-for-20 shooting as the Spurs limited the SuperSonics to a total of 25 points in the middle two quarters en route to a 102-71 thumping in San Antonio.
A fifth consecutive Spurs win was never in doubt, but the club's challenge to stop Allen didn't start so smoothly. The SuperSonics star hit his first shot — a 3-pointer — and then three consecutive hoops late in the first period (including another 3), giving him a 10-point quarter.
But other than a pair of free throws, that was it. The Spurs tag-teamed to harass Allen into 14 consecutive misses over the final 37 minutes of the game, which helped a seven-point San Antonio lead after one quarter turn into a 22-point margin by halftime and 33 after three.
NOTES, QUOTES
—The 71 points allowed in their 102-71 home victory over Seattle on Saturday night were the fewest given up by the Spurs in a game this season. The previous low had been 76 at Charlotte on Dec. 6.
—The Spurs have held opponents to fewer than 80 points five times this season. It has occurred both times they've played the SuperSonics, with San Antonio hanging a 98-78 defeat on Seattle in November.
—Don't expect Gregg Popovich to shackle Tim Duncan come playoff time, but the fact is: The Spurs are 9-2 when he's scored 15 or fewer points this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You're considering that a dunk? Don't you have to touch the rim to consider it a dunk? A strong layup is what I'm calling it. He was proud of it, unfortunately." — Spurs forward Tim Duncan, enjoying a chuckle over a rare Bruce Bowen dunk Saturday night.
ROSTER REPORT
ROTATION: Starters — Point guard Tony Parker, Shooting guard Brent Barry, Small forward Bruce Bowen, Power forward Tim Duncan, Center Francisco Elson. Bench — Guard Jacque Vaughn, Guard Beno Udrih, Guard Manu Ginobili, Forward Michael Finley, Forward Robert Horry, Forward Matt Bonner, Center Fabricio Oberto.
PLAYER NOTES:
—Tim Duncan took just seven shots and scored only six points in the Spurs' 102-71 home victory over the SuperSonics on Saturday. It was the first time this season Duncan has been held to fewer than 10 points.
—Tony Parker paced the Spurs with 21 points. It was the 18th time this season the point guard has led or shared in the team lead in scoring. Duncan has held that distinction 22 times.
—Robert Horry connected on four 3-pointers to account for a majority of his 17 points off the bench. It was the first time all season he's made at least four 3-pointers in a game and just the second time he's hit at least three. His 17 points came in just 13 minutes.
—Matt Bonner scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter to come within one of a season high. The 13 points were one more than he'd totaled in all games since Jan. 9.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/notes.htm
Wouldn't it be nice :clap
The Spurs face a Mt. Everest-type climb if they're going to catch either Dallas or Phoenix in the Western Conference playoff race. That said, scaling the giant is a lot easier than it used to be.
In order to make up an 8 1/2-game deficit to the Mavericks in the Southwest Division title race or a 4 1/2-game deficit to the Suns in the battle for the No. 2 playoff position in the Western Conference, the Spurs just might have to sweep through their March schedule. And you know what? Crazier things have happened.
First off, San Antonio will have to take care of business, at home, against the Raptors on Monday. A win there would extend the Spurs' winning streak to six and set the stage for a month of potential fun.
March begins with a home game against Orlando and then a four-game trip to Houston and three Western lightweights. If the Spurs can survive the Rockets, it's quite possible their streak could reach 16 before the Pistons arrive in Texas on March 23.
A win there would leave only the Jazz's visit on the 30th as a tough matchup. It really is a pretty easy month.
The question is: Would even a 15-0 March be enough to allow the Spurs to catch either of their impressive rivals by month's end? We just might get a chance to find out.
REPLAY: There's only one thing challenging for the Spurs when they host a meek team like the SuperSonics: Trying to shut down a true star like Ray Allen.
If Saturday's effort were any indication, even Kobe Bryant will want no part of a matchup with the Spurs in the playoffs.
Allen was hounded into 4-for-20 shooting as the Spurs limited the SuperSonics to a total of 25 points in the middle two quarters en route to a 102-71 thumping in San Antonio.
A fifth consecutive Spurs win was never in doubt, but the club's challenge to stop Allen didn't start so smoothly. The SuperSonics star hit his first shot — a 3-pointer — and then three consecutive hoops late in the first period (including another 3), giving him a 10-point quarter.
But other than a pair of free throws, that was it. The Spurs tag-teamed to harass Allen into 14 consecutive misses over the final 37 minutes of the game, which helped a seven-point San Antonio lead after one quarter turn into a 22-point margin by halftime and 33 after three.
NOTES, QUOTES
—The 71 points allowed in their 102-71 home victory over Seattle on Saturday night were the fewest given up by the Spurs in a game this season. The previous low had been 76 at Charlotte on Dec. 6.
—The Spurs have held opponents to fewer than 80 points five times this season. It has occurred both times they've played the SuperSonics, with San Antonio hanging a 98-78 defeat on Seattle in November.
—Don't expect Gregg Popovich to shackle Tim Duncan come playoff time, but the fact is: The Spurs are 9-2 when he's scored 15 or fewer points this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You're considering that a dunk? Don't you have to touch the rim to consider it a dunk? A strong layup is what I'm calling it. He was proud of it, unfortunately." — Spurs forward Tim Duncan, enjoying a chuckle over a rare Bruce Bowen dunk Saturday night.
ROSTER REPORT
ROTATION: Starters — Point guard Tony Parker, Shooting guard Brent Barry, Small forward Bruce Bowen, Power forward Tim Duncan, Center Francisco Elson. Bench — Guard Jacque Vaughn, Guard Beno Udrih, Guard Manu Ginobili, Forward Michael Finley, Forward Robert Horry, Forward Matt Bonner, Center Fabricio Oberto.
PLAYER NOTES:
—Tim Duncan took just seven shots and scored only six points in the Spurs' 102-71 home victory over the SuperSonics on Saturday. It was the first time this season Duncan has been held to fewer than 10 points.
—Tony Parker paced the Spurs with 21 points. It was the 18th time this season the point guard has led or shared in the team lead in scoring. Duncan has held that distinction 22 times.
—Robert Horry connected on four 3-pointers to account for a majority of his 17 points off the bench. It was the first time all season he's made at least four 3-pointers in a game and just the second time he's hit at least three. His 17 points came in just 13 minutes.
—Matt Bonner scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter to come within one of a season high. The 13 points were one more than he'd totaled in all games since Jan. 9.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/notes.htm
Wouldn't it be nice :clap