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11-07-2007, 02:32 AM
Spurs notebook: Bowen likely will miss out on Wade
Web Posted: 11/07/2007 12:12 AM CST
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
HOUSTON It appears Bruce Bowen could get a breather in his personal two-game gauntlet.
One game after chasing Houston's Tracy McGrady, Bowen the Spurs' defender extraordinaire likely won't have to birddog Miami star Dwyane Wade when the Heat visit the AT&T Center tonight.
Wade is still recovering from offseason surgeries to his knee and shoulder. He has been medically cleared to play but is expected to take his time in getting back on the floor.
It is unlikely the Heat would want Wade's first live action since February to come against Bowen, who is perennially regarded as one of the toughest defenders in the league. Bowen helped hold McGrady who came into the Rockets' 89-81 victory Tuesday averaging a league-best 33 points per game to just 12.
If Wade waits to make his season debut, Bowen would spend a good deal of time on Ricky Davis, who is averaging 16 points per game as a starter in Wade's absence.
Bowen, for his part, remains blasι about the prospect of Wade sitting out.
"If he plays, great," Bowen said. "And, if not, great."
You can count Spurs coach Gregg Popovich in the "wish Wade would play" camp, however.
"It's always better when you match up even-Steven," Popovich said.
Foul-plagued Scola: Luis Scola's regular-season debut against the Spurs didn't go as well as he had hoped.
Scola, the Rockets forward and one-time draft pick of the Spurs, picked up his third foul less than eight minutes into the game and was banished to the bench.
He finished with no points in little more than eight minutes.
Bench dip: Ginobili's 23 points marked the fourth time in as many games this season that he's provided a double-digit night off the bench.
For the first time, however, no other reserve joined him in double figures. Brent Barry (5 points) and Francisco Elson (4) were the only other two Spurs to contribute points off the bench.
Still, the Spurs' reserves managed to outscore the Rockets' reserves 32-31.
H-town streak snapped: Tuesday's game snapped a four-game winning streak for the Spurs in Houston, dating to Jan. 15, 2005.
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LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA110707.05C.BKNspurs.notebook.3898fcc.html
Web Posted: 11/07/2007 12:12 AM CST
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
HOUSTON It appears Bruce Bowen could get a breather in his personal two-game gauntlet.
One game after chasing Houston's Tracy McGrady, Bowen the Spurs' defender extraordinaire likely won't have to birddog Miami star Dwyane Wade when the Heat visit the AT&T Center tonight.
Wade is still recovering from offseason surgeries to his knee and shoulder. He has been medically cleared to play but is expected to take his time in getting back on the floor.
It is unlikely the Heat would want Wade's first live action since February to come against Bowen, who is perennially regarded as one of the toughest defenders in the league. Bowen helped hold McGrady who came into the Rockets' 89-81 victory Tuesday averaging a league-best 33 points per game to just 12.
If Wade waits to make his season debut, Bowen would spend a good deal of time on Ricky Davis, who is averaging 16 points per game as a starter in Wade's absence.
Bowen, for his part, remains blasι about the prospect of Wade sitting out.
"If he plays, great," Bowen said. "And, if not, great."
You can count Spurs coach Gregg Popovich in the "wish Wade would play" camp, however.
"It's always better when you match up even-Steven," Popovich said.
Foul-plagued Scola: Luis Scola's regular-season debut against the Spurs didn't go as well as he had hoped.
Scola, the Rockets forward and one-time draft pick of the Spurs, picked up his third foul less than eight minutes into the game and was banished to the bench.
He finished with no points in little more than eight minutes.
Bench dip: Ginobili's 23 points marked the fourth time in as many games this season that he's provided a double-digit night off the bench.
For the first time, however, no other reserve joined him in double figures. Brent Barry (5 points) and Francisco Elson (4) were the only other two Spurs to contribute points off the bench.
Still, the Spurs' reserves managed to outscore the Rockets' reserves 32-31.
H-town streak snapped: Tuesday's game snapped a four-game winning streak for the Spurs in Houston, dating to Jan. 15, 2005.
[email protected]
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA110707.05C.BKNspurs.notebook.3898fcc.html