Spurs vs. Cavs Dec. 11 - Game Blog

[ducks]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOWEN and spurs
time to make the cavs pay for being such a dumb fransice to let boozer go

that is why cavs are selling only for 350 million instead of 400 million like the suns :lol

[1Parker1]

Spurs' elite skills tough test for Cavs
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

Already humbled by one of the NBA's doormats, the Cavaliers will learn how they can fare against one of the league's penthouse franchises tonight.

Three nights after the debacle in Chicago, the Cavs will need to find some answers in traveling to San Antonio, as the Spurs have three All-Stars, a strong bench, good outside shooting and a solid inside game.

Still, the Spurs are coming off two consecutive losses, including the end of a 21-game home winning streak Wednesday against Seattle. On Thursday, Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds as Houston stole away with a stunning comeback win.

"You have to come with an A plus, plus game in order to beat them," coach Paul Silas said. "Just an A game isn't going to do it."

Defeating the Spurs means getting past a stacked starting lineup that includes Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Rasho Nesterovic. Duncan gets all of the accolades, but Cavaliers assistant coach Stephen Silas said Parker actually runs the show.

"It starts with Tony Parker because he makes them go," Stephen Silas said. "When he has a good game they're very successful. Especially when he's pushing the basketball, getting easy points and pressuring the ball. Duncan will get the double-doubles, but when Parker is good, he's great."

Ginobili causes fits because of his great outside shooting touch and his ability to go strong to the basket. The Cavs will put their best defender, Ira Newble, on him, but the task will remain difficult.

"Ginobili constantly puts pressure on the defense by driving to the hoop or spotting up for open jumpers," Stephen Silas said. "He's a lefty and everyone knows that but he still goes left. He's relentless and he puts lots of pressure on the defense. Ira plays good defense, but Ginobili's quickness is a problem for anyone."

The difference in the game could come down to Bowen's defense on LeBron James. Bowen is one of the top defenders in the league.

"Bowen doesn't take time off and he has a reputation as a good defender and he gets away with some things and it'll be a tough job for LeBron," Stephen Silas said. "Teams crowd LeBron and he's been able to find the open man but the Spurs won't have to help Bowen as much and that will clog the passing lane, making it difficult for LeBron to find the open man."

The Spurs are the toughest defensive team in the league. They can also score, averaging 95 points per game and they're shooting 45.1 percent from the field. The Spurs are beating teams by 11 points per game.

"They're just steam rolling the league right now," said Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy. "I mean, they are a machine."

Still, the Rockets managed to win Thursday, even though admiration for the Spurs is widespread.

"They've been playing together for a long time," Paul Silas said. "They know each other. They have one of the best players in Tim Duncan. Everything feeds off him, but the Manu Ginobilis and the Tony Parkers are also on top of their games."

The Cavs haven't won in San Antonio since Dec. 8, 1988. The streak looks safe, especially after Wednesday's 28-point loss in Chicago.

But Stephen Silas believes the streak can end.

"But it's going to take a big-time effort from everyone," he said. "We're going to have to establish Z [Zydrunas Ilgauskas] early and make them have to make some decisions, like crowding Z or doubling him. We can establish the pick and roll or get out and run on them. They only give up about 85 points per game and we need to get some easy shots and second shots."


http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1102761096230873.xml

[ducks]

he Spurs have three All-Stars


man writer has to be a spurs homer

[mattyc]

Ira Newble. :elephant

[ducks]

tp assist duncan and one

[ducks]

knock on wood duncan hit firs free throw

he hits them early look out from there

[ducks]

Shooting foul on L. James

WAY to go tp

GET HIM IN FOUL TROUBLE

[ducks]

Mana And Tp With A T.o Each And A Little Run By Cavs

Come On Guys

[ducks]

James 1-2 From The Field And 3 Assist So Far

[ducks]

Brown In At 8 Minute Mark

[ChumpDumper]

Parker very aggro in transition.

[ducks]

Tp On Fire 2-2 From Field 2-2 From Stripe
2 Assist One T.o And 3 Rebounds With 5.45 Seconds Left In First Quarter

[JUUOT]

I do not if you noticed but TP is having great start since a long streak! my question is : does someoneone have a clue why he can not stay hot a full game ?

[ducks]

Tp With Another Assist and rebound

[ducks]

anothe fouil and JAMES YES that is big

[ducks]

tp gets james to pick up 2 fouls with 4.54 mark in first quarter

[ducks]

tp with another assist

[JUUOT]

pure quickness against big muscles = tp hot and james on the bench

[ducks]

pop better not take tp out tell he cools off or is tired

[ducks]

another assist for tp

[ducks]

can tp get a triple double?

the only problem is if game is not close pop will bench tp

[ducks]

T. Parker
3-3, 10 Pts
4 Rebs, 5 Assists
after one

[1Parker1]

:wow Did Rasho just have a slame dunk?

[JUUOT]

NESTvic WITH A DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. the second of the season... applause. clap ,clap,clap

[BronxCowboy]

Umm, I can't watch the game tonight, but the boxscore says that Rasho hit both of his first two free throws?!? Could this be true? Help me understand this.

[1Parker1]

LOL. guess the one handed FT shooting is working. Pop is a genius :)

[JUUOT]

an enormous Pop FEET IN THE ASS! this is how you call it BC. rasho deserved one received it and it works!!!!

[1Parker1]

Another slam dunk by RASHO ?? Double :wow :wow

[ducks]

10:26 SA - Slam dunk by R. Nesterovic. Assist: B. Udrih

again

[1Parker1]

Bowen is doing good too, 3-3, with 7 pts in the second Q

[ducks]

15-19 for spurs at 9 mintue mark on second

78.9% shooting from field

[1Parker1]

Spurs shooting 80% from the field, 16-20. And surprisngly Manu has 0 points !

[JUUOT]

manu is doing a barry night lol

[ChumpDumper]

Sideshow Bob flops - Offensive foul on Parker.

[JUUOT]

brent with one more point than manu!

[ducks]

another assist for tp

[ChumpDumper]

Sideshow Bob sneaks one in. Time out.

[ducks]

2:50 SA - Layup by D. Brown. Assist: T. Parker
2:56 SA - T. Parker steals the ball from L. James

[ducks]

2:21 SA - T. Duncan dunks the ball. Assist: T. Parker number 8

[ducks]

1:52 SA - T. Duncan dunks the ball. Assist: T. Parker number 9

[ducks]

T. Duncan makes a 20-foot jumper from the right wing. Assist: T. Parker number 10

[ChumpDumper]

Pop blinking in disbelief at a call against Duncan.

[ducks]

spurs have to start missing for tp got get 6 rebounds

[ducks]

T. Parker
4-4, 15 Pts
4 Rebs, 10 Assists
halftime

[grjr]

84% shooting in the first half. Doesn't that usually lead to 16% shooting in the second half?

[ducks]

maybe but half of them were dunks

[exstatic]

Cleveland may be the worst defensive team in the league. Sean even said that he was shocked that Cleveland is no better on D by now under Silas than they were last year.

[ShoogarBear]

Yeah, can't count on this shooting in the second half.

And this just in . . . the Cavs have traded for Tracy McGrady, who will start the second half.

[grjr]

And THIS just in....Spurs can't sing worth shit. :lol

[Experiment2100]

And this just in . . . the Cavs have traded for Tracy McGrady, who will start the second half.

In another twist they have only signed him for 2.5 minutes

[Solid D]

http://www.vh1.com/shared/media/images/artist/c/clinic/canon/501032_426x104.jpg

CLINIC

[exstatic]

Weird halftime stats:
Duncan 25 pts, 2 boards.
Manu is the only player on the Spurs that has attempted a FG and not made one. His 0-1 is dragging them down.
Spurs have attempted only 1 3pointer, by Udrih. He made it.
Barry has figured out how to keep his FG% from sliding further. He's the only Spur without a FGA who has played. He played 8 minutes.

[ShoogarBear]

Maybe Tony is back to his Christmas form from last year, when he was averaging around 12 assists/game?

What is his career high for assists, anyway?

[ChumpDumper]

Barry tried once. Got fouled.

[Solid D]

I don't know if I've ever seen the Spurs shoot 84% in one half before. :wow

[Experiment2100]

Barry has figured out how to keep his FG% from sliding further. He's the only Spur without a FGA. He played 8 minutes.

I was surprised about that, especially because he had a couple of open looks.

[ducks]

brown has 5 rebounds

tp 4 boards

[maxpower]

10 pts, 4 rebounds 5 assists 1st quarter! 14pts, 4boards,10 assists 1st half. Parker.

Similar to a burning utensil thru soft emulsion of milk or cream...the Spurs are a fast breakin fiesta.

Nesterovic slammed I may cease living at this moment.

Rose frick and frackin Malik!

James, you have experienced being CONSUMED by a person...as a matter of fact 2 persons.

I just thought I would add these thoughts to the GAME BLOG.

I feel making an entire thread out of a singular event in light of the GAME (B)LOG would be too self-indulgent.

[ShoogarBear]

I predict . . .


. . . they don't shoot 84% in the second half.

I know you guys are in awe; it's hard sitting on this much basketball knowledge.

[JUUOT]

TP s career high in assist is 14 and you were very right on christmas last year against clippers. with the ten of tonight he will attain 5.5 for the season its highest for a complete season. I think it just the begining! i bet he finishes 5.7 or 5.8 assist a game

[Solid D]

Okay, they just announced it. 84% in one half a team record!

[ducks]

is that just spurs or all of nba?

[ChumpDumper]

Nice recovery by Rasho after he got his shit smacked.

[grjr]

Manu's gonna have whiplash tomorrow.

[ChumpDumper]

That looked really scary

[ShoogarBear]

The ball movement on that last 3 by TP was fricking gorgeous.

[ChumpDumper]

The Cavs looked like the Keystone Cops.

[ducks]

5 rebounds for tp

come on tp half way there

[exstatic]

Barry tried once. Got fouled.

I was referring to official FGA. When you get fouled and miss, they don't penalize you by giving you a FGA.

[ducks]

the cavs look so bad that is why james should not be mvp

[exstatic]

Tony has a ton of assists simply because they are running wild in the open court. He's the one that brings the ball up most of the time, and it's been his first pass that is leading people to the hoop.

[ChumpDumper]

I was referring to official FGA. When you get fouled and miss, they don't penalize you by giving you a FGA.I know, but it's not like he hasn't tried a shot -- saying it for those who can't watch.

[ducks]

will lj give rasho a 10 just for the 2 dunks?

[Solid D]

is that just spurs or all of nba?

No, I think the Syracuse Nationals were 2 for 2. :hat

jk

[ChumpDumper]

will lj give rasho a 10 just for the 2 dunks?That and the fact Z hasn't scored inside 15 ft will probably raise his grade a bit.

[ducks]

manu finally makes a basket tp gets the assist

[ShoogarBear]

Nasty dunk by LeBron just then

[ChumpDumper]

Malik asleep on both ends of the court.

[Experiment2100]

Does Lebron only have 1 dunk?

[ShoogarBear]

Is this lead McGrady-proof?

[ChumpDumper]

Does Lebron only have 1 dunk?He's set up Gooden for about 4 this quarter.

[grjr]

Malik asleep on both ends of the court.


That's for sure. Why is Pop standing there with his hands in his pockets while the team is playing like crap? Is he letting them dig their own grave again?

[ducks]

Tp Another Assist Number 12

[grjr]

Is this lead McGrady-proof?

Absolutely not if the Spurs keep standing around like this.

[ducks]

Is this lead McGrady-proof?


TP HAS TO SCORE 20 FIRST :lol

[ducks]

That's for sure. Why is Pop standing there with his hands in his pockets while the team is playing like crap? Is he letting them dig their own grave again?
- R. Horry enters game for M. Rose

[ChumpDumper]

The trees whisper a gentle "Massenburg."

[ShoogarBear]

Cleveland pretty much doing what they want to in the paint, now.

[grjr]

Rasho was going to throw another one down but then he remembered who he is. :lol

[ChumpDumper]

Yep, Rasho/Horry isn't going to cut it. Any switching kills us.

[ducks]

Tp With An Assist And Rebound

[grjr]

This game is still only one "Lebron James Spurt" away from being a game.

[ducks]

Tp High Rebounder For Spurs

[ducks]

This game is still only one "Lebron James Spurt" away from being a game.


to bad he can not pull a mcgrady :hat

[grjr]

to bad he can not pull a mcgrady :hat

There's a quick 4 points.

Although Beno just answered with a 3.

[ChumpDumper]

Gooden owns us.

[ducks]

20 point game pop taking tp an duncan out at same time

[grjr]

I have an idea....let's leave LeBron wide open for a 3.

[ChumpDumper]

Bowen with the stroke from mid and long range

[ShoogarBear]

Pretty much a given throughout his career: when in need of points, turn to Smokin Bruce.

[grjr]

Spurs are only one "Bruce Bowen Spurt" away from blowing the game open. :lol

[ShoogarBear]

Spurs are only one "Bruce Bowen Spurt" away from blowing the game open. :lol

:rollin

[grjr]

Bueno really getting a nice 3 point stroke now.

[ChumpDumper]

The long anticipated Parker/Beno backcourt.

[grjr]

Free Big Mac's for everyone if we get to 125.

[ShoogarBear]

LOL. Cavs' announcers are saying that Paul Silas and their coaches claim that the spur on the court in front of the visitor bench was put there because it's the exact spot where Tim likes to set up.

[grjr]

2:22 Tony Parker Block on T. Parker (1)

[ShoogarBear]

Sounds like something Ricky Davis would do

[mattyc]

Impressive return to form.

[Solid D]

LOL. Cavs' announcers are saying that Paul Silas and their coaches claim that the spur on the court in front of the visitor bench was put there because it's the exact spot where Tim likes to set up.

I can hear Pop responding to that one.

"We're not that smart."

[ducks]

cavs tank and the homers say spurs put a spur and cheated

wow what class

[MI21]

cavs tank and the homers say spurs put a spur and cheated

wow what class

:lol

Braindead.

[ducks]

cavs tanked to get a chance to get james

classless