Spurs vs. Pistons Dec. 3 - Game Blog

[timvp]

Keep all thoughts regarding the Spurs vs. Pistons game in this thread. This is something new so hopefully it works out.

To get it kick started, I'll reward a Spurs ticket (or a spur) to the person who does the best job keeping tabs on the game in this thread.

:smokin

[boutons]

what are the starters' defensive matchups?

Tim def Rachid
Rasho def Ben
Tony def Chauncey
Bruce def Rip
Manu def Tayshaun

[johnny00]

Tim gaurding Big Ben? I would've thought Rasho could take those honors. Oh well Timmy seems more han capable of handling him so far.

[SPARKY]

SPARKY's got the fire going, the COLD BEER open, and the game on. :hat

Ginobili. I don't know what else to say.

Spurs with good intensity on both ends. Spurs were definitely in danger of coming out flat with the early tip and the late arriving crowd. Crowd's getting into it.

Spurs D is winning out so far.

Exceptional ball movement on the other end. I've never seen a Spurs offense in the Duncan era with this fluidity. Actually I don't think any of those great Bob Hill offenses or the 1989-92 Spurs with a healthy TC, WillieA, and Rocket Rod had this degree of grace.

[exstatic]

Good aggressiveness. Noticed that other than one open court block on Manu, the Spurs are doing a good job of using the rim by going with the reverse layups.

[exstatic]

Parker - super aggressive.

Delfino - Manu light?

[exstatic]

Brent Barry - Maybe he's just trying too hard. One thing's for sure, he's fitting in with that missed D3 FT. :lol

[johnny00]

With the first quarter coming to a close, the game is definitely turning into the defensive battle every one thought it would be, and after last years games who would've thought otherwise. With Big Ben back in the lineup this Pistons team is taking on the personality of thier All-Star Center...as well they should. Nice seeing Delpino out there he is showing some of the same hustle we're all used to from his fellow countryman Manu. But you can't beat the real deal MANU WITH THE SLAM!!!! to end the quarter!

[exstatic]

Pop wants this game. He brought Manu back in the first Q, and they have another game tommorrow.

Parker being aggressive. His shot still isn't there, though.

SA running at will. Detroit may be a good half court D team, but they are not getting back.

[danyel]

Both leading scorers are from Argentina, Manu with 8, Delfino with 5.


weird

[johnny00]

Am I dreaming, 3 minutes into the 2nd quarter and no Robert Horry????

[johnny00]

And that is why there is no Horry tonight!! A three from Devin!!!! Earns him first dibbs off the bench!

[exstatic]

Det doing a better job of rebounding and getting back in the 2nd. Token pressure slowoing things down, althg Barry did make a nice pass to Parker who drove the lane. Spurs not pushing it as much with the reserves.

Billups out for the rest of the half after a dumb 3rd foul committed on Manu.

[exstatic]

Rasho's actually being aggressive in the paint. He's been driving across the lane for the hook, but was called once for travelling and had it rim out once. Try it again Rasho. Detroit really didn't want to leave the double on Tim.

[johnny00]

I agree ex... Rash is really comoing out to play tonight.

[SPARKY]

Hey, Big Ben just made a poster.

[exstatic]

:lol Tim rang Big Ben. Nuff said.

[johnny00]

FACIAL TO WALLACE!!! AWESOME!!!!!!! and as Bill Schoening said Welcome back to the NBA Ben!!!!!!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!!

[exstatic]

Rebounds right now:
Tim 5
Tayshaun 5
Rasho 4

[exstatic]

Oh, and back off of Rasheed and put a hand in his face. He ain't hitting anything with that bum elbow.

[johnny00]

Spurs really seem to be playing well with Devin picking up his extra minutes, and more importantly he's showing a lot of poise playing those minutes

[exstatic]

Duncan's just wrecking them. He already has DD rebounds, and hits the dagger 3 to end the half. Schweet.

[SPARKY]

Detroit played a great 2nd quarter and they find themselves still down 9.

[exstatic]

Rip Hamilton is smooth. You just never know when he's going to shoot, because he does it on the move SO well. He finished the half strong after a slow start.

[johnny00]

I can't believe this, no Robert Horry yet. But no complaints here. However FREAKIN TURNOVERS are killing us and keeping the Pistons in the game, that and poor shooting percentage. That is so aggravating 'cause I feel we've brought more intensity to this game than Detroit. A few key baskets by Malik towards the end of the second keeps the lead respectable though... 37-46 Spurs at half with Timmy hitting the three..there's your two-time MVP!!! but IMO could've been more if not for a few mental mistakes.

[exstatic]

Spark - I know. It's like Pop puts his starters back in, and they erase everything that Detroit did in about 4 game minutes. That's got to be demoralizing.

[exstatic]

Good first half for SA, other than the turnovers. There was a short period of about 5 game minutes when Detroit won the hustle battle. Other than that it was SA hitting the floor and diving for loose balls.

[SPARKY]

Sam Adams Winter Lager. Always a good decision.

Am glad that this game is on ESPN as well as Fox Sports.

[johnny00]

With the 3rd quarter ready to start, I feel obviously that turnovers don't become a big part of this game and we can leave that to the first half. Detroit will capitalize on these mistakes and make you pay. I'll take the low shooting percentage and chalk that up to Larry Browns defensive stratagies, with that said I feel Detroit will come out with the mind set that they are the NBA Champs on National TV with thier returning All-Star Center and something to prove. So I'm ready for an all out battle (no pun intended) from the boys from the Motor City.

[exstatic]

I'll take the low shooting percentage and chalk that up to Larry Browns defensive stratagies...
Low shooting %? For SA? They shot 49% and 43% from downtown!

[johnny00]

With a Manu three, the Spurs seem determined to not let up on thier aggressiveness. Duncan is playing great D, and the Big Three, the future of San Antonio are showing the Champs they're still here

[exstatic]

Am I hallucinating, or is Tim getting every rebound that comes off within arm's length? He may have 25-30 if this stays close. Spurs sontinue to push the ball.

[johnny00]

A 10-0 run for the Spurs since Duncans three to end the half, Timmy just looks in mid-season form especially on defense I am really surprised.A non factors in this game, Rasheed Wallace I expected more from him and so did the Pistons. With six minutes gone the Pistons have not scored......So much for something to prove.

[johnny00]

Am I hallucinating, or is Tim getting every rebound that comes off within arm's length? He may have 25-30 if this stays close. Spurs sontinue to push the ball.Tim is looking phenominal this quarter Ex!!!

[johnny00]

On the other hand has Bowens play been a disappointment up to now?? Or is that just me?

[milkyway21]

3rd Qtr. 5.32 sec.=o FG for the Champs? Bring back the crown to San Antonio!!!

[exstatic]

This has turned into a track meet, at least for SA. Runnin' and gunnin'. still a little sloppy with the ball, though.

[exstatic]

Parker coast to coast with a twist. :lmao

[exstatic]

OK, something to pick at: the bench only has 12 points. Damn. :lol

[milkyway21]

14 turnovers for the Spurs, but still lead by 21 pts. Could have been 30+. Go Spurs!
Note:last 2 minutes = 5 pts. for Pistons(NBA RECORD?).

[SPARKY]

Detroit can't maintain their defensive intensity for a full half. I feel the Spurs are a much more consistent and fundamentally sound defensive unit. Detroit still relies a lot on simply having shotblockers in the middle and going for steals as opposed to good footwork and rotations.

This night is a good sign for the Spurs' offensive execution. They are facing one of the toughest defenses in the NBA and they are having their way with them.

[exstatic]

Nice Min-terview by Jim Gray with David. Says this team may be better than 99 and 03.

[johnny00]

Observations on the last half of the 3rd...
>Bowen has finally hit some shots, one off a Brown steal
>Still no Robert Horry
>Parker showing some toughness in this game, FINALLY. He's developing into the team leader he needs to be, two years ago he would've shriveled up and dissappeared.
>Devin blossoming before our eyes >sniff< our little boy is growing up.
>turnovers still a problem (19), I thought we got rid of this last year fellas?.
>Rasho looks unsure of where he's supposed to be actually confused. This will earn him more pine time.
> with the quarter closing Detroit satrting to show some pride and narrows the lead. It's not over yet.

[johnny00]

Manu wreaking havoc to start the 4th (as usual), But Detroit continues to battle to stay in this game. Physically the Spurs have been in this game since tipoff they have maintained thier intensity and have not let up. With the amount of turnovers, Pistons making a run and minutes for Mnau stacking up.. WHERE IS BRENT BARRY?? C'MON POP!!!

[exstatic]

Yeah, Detroit is making a run. I guess Sheed's elbow is warm now. He's shootting right over the top of Malik.

Time to crush the run by one of our own.

[exstatic]

It's the McDyess/Parker show right now.

[johnny00]

with 7 minutes to go Detroit is asserting themselves on both sides of the ball. What is it? Never underestimate the heart of a yada yada yada... I still think Berry should be in there. 5 minutes to go and the Spurs by twelve.

[exstatic]

Barry didn't hit anything in the first half, including one FT. That's why he's on the bench.

[exstatic]

Manu and Rasho both on the bench with 4.

[johnny00]

Okay last half of the fourth...Due to Tayshauns dramatics there is no flow to the game which naturally works to the Pistons favor. Manu is still playing, which tells me the importance of this game to Pop. Jeez the fouls being called in this game has just slowed it to a snails pace. Just inside 4 minutes, a basketball game has broke out, Chauncy with a three....

[exstatic]

Tim made two huge mistakes in a row. He didn't "show" on the P'n'R defense, allowing Billups the shot, then commits foul after he loses the ball.

[myhc]

I've got a sick feeling in my stomach that this is going to end up with a Pistons win. :depressed

[johnny00]

Some of the intensity I saw earlier has been picked up by the Pistons.A defensive stop by the Spurs with two minutes is big at this time, as well as Bowens free throws. Timmy with a big two to pull ahead by 5. Billups is fouled and hits bothof his shots to keep it too close for comfort.

[johnny00]

Time for some intestinal fortitude, the boys show character (Rose) with a huge rebound. Manu fouled and hits one of two free throws. THIS IS INTENSE!!! Time out Pistons!

[johnny00]

I've got a sick feeling in my stomach that this is going to end up with a Pistons win. :depressedCMON EX!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!

[Boulevard1]

Clutch free throws from Barry

[myhc]

foul them!!!

[myhc]

MALIK!!!!!!!!!!!! :elephant :hat :spin

[Boulevard1]

Man Spurs tried everything to give this game away.

[myhc]

The spurs almost didn't deserve to win this one. This was a flashback to game 5 of game against L.A. where Horry misses the 3.

[exstatic]

Well, Walton broke out the "shrinkage" smack, but they held on, with Detroit choking on an inbounds pass. Funny. Walton was ALL OVER the Spurs when they had to call 2 TOs to inbound the ball (they did, successfully both times), but had nothing to say about Detroit's terrible pass.

Billups was huge in the 4th, making it a game by himself.

[johnny00]

with 12.7 seconds left Chauncey hits a clutch 3 to put the clock at 7.9. Barry finally enters the game and is fouled immediately. Barry hits both shots and that's why you have to have him out on the floor he can hit the money shots at any time , even if it seems like an off night! 4.9 seconds on the inbound pass, MALIK WITH THE STEAL.
SPURS WIN!
SPURS WIN!
SPURS WIN!

[Shelly]

WOW!

Walton is annoying.

[johnny00]

Whew! I don't know about Ex but that was a lot of work! I need a beer.

[BronxCowboy]

Well, this one goes in the "W" column, so that's good enough for me.

[exstatic]

Yeah, Malik got the steal, and clanked both FTs. The second may have been intentional to start the clock, and not let them inbound for a long pass.

[deepsouth]

It was a bitting nails game.
But where did the 21 difference points went?

[johnny00]

Mark it on your calender ladies and gents Robert Horry DNP coaches decision. wooohoooo!

[ggoose25]

finally! horry needs to stay on the bench. i hate it when he thinks he's 22 and drives the lane at 0.25 mph just to throw up a weak ass layup

GO BACK TO LA, FRESH PRINCE!

[Shelly]

Keep all thoughts regarding the Spurs vs. Pistons game in this thread. This is something new so hopefully it works out.

To get it kick started, I'll reward a Spurs ticket (or a spur) to the person who does the best job keeping tabs on the game in this thread.

:smokin

You'll still have to wade through the 8000 topics started on this very game :lol

[exstatic]

Uh, no. If it isn't here, it's not "ticket" material. You must be able to follow basic instructions.

[mattyc]

Lucky to come away with that one.

Well below our best tonight - very patchy with our play, especially after half time.

Barry was clutch to ice those FTs at the end. Shame about his first quarter player, it was horrible.

We were far from consistent with our play today, but good teams claw out the wins. :drunk

[wildbill2u]

At 59-69, the Spurs (Devon?) make a steal and start a break--3 0n two. Malik got the ball and then gave it up to Devon who takes the middle lane--and Malik moves right in front of him clogging up the middle and allowing the defenders to make a steal in the confusion.

The first thing you learn in middle school is to let the ball handler take the middle lane to the basket on a break and force the defenders into making a decision. He is making a lot of mental mistakes on basic stuff.

[Kori Ellis]

Good job.

Three people one a ticket to a future Spurs game:

exstatic
johnny00
Sparky

Please contact timvp via private message and he will arrange which game with you.

[Rick Von Braun]

interesting tidbit:

The Pistons haven't won in San Antonio since 1997.

Home court advantage baby!!