MaNuMaNiAc
12-01-2007, 11:56 AM
http://www.startribune.com/wolves/story/1584268.html
Wolves -- you guessed it -- falter again in fourth quarter
Despite playing without its starting guards, Minnesota gamely battled until being outscored 32-11 in the last quarter.
By Jerry Zgoda ([email protected]), Star Tribune
Last update: December 01, 2007 – 12:28 AM
Down two starters and ahead 14 points late in the third quarter, the Timberwolves discovered at Target Center for the second time in six days that no lead is safe in Friday's 106-91 loss to San Antonio.Undone by Atlanta last week despite an 11-point edge to begin the fourth quarter, the Wolves were outmanned and outscored 40-11 to the finish Friday by the defending NBA champion Spurs in a conclusion that bore little resemblance in feel to the loss six days earlier because of the opponent.
"Until you play against them a couple of times, you can't understand how good this team is," Wolves point guard Sebastian Telfair said. "They're so smart. They don't cheat the game. They're just that good. That's why they win championships."
The Wolves played the final three quarters without their starting backcourt. Shooting guard Rashad McCants arrived at the arena Friday evening with a sore right knee, the same one he had microfracture surgery on after his rookie season, and was deactivated for the game. Point guard Marko Jaric hobbled to the locker room after the first quarter because of a sprained right foot and ankle.
Without them, Telfair -- the team's only remaining, healthy point guard -- played 39 minutes and the Spurs started their way back from an 80-66 deficit with 1:25 left in the third quarter when he came to the Wolves' bench for an 85-second breather.
By the time Telfair returned to start the fourth quarter, the Spurs had finished the third with an 8-0 run. By the time they played most of the fourth quarter with a small lineup and ratcheted the defensive heat against a depleted lineup, the Spurs had shot the Wolves into submission.
The Spurs made 12 three-pointers Friday, including six in the fourth quarter, and sixth-man Manu Ginobili made seven of nine attempts from there on his way to 31 points.
"I can't remember Ginobili missing a shot," said Wolves coach Randy Wittman, whose team lost for the 12th time in 14 games. "Seems like they all went in."
Ginobili and Spurs point guard Tony Parker tore through seams in the Timberwolves defense in the fourth quarter while the Wolves offense stagnated in a game that turned contentious with three technical fouls. Each head coach earned one (Wittman's first of the season) and Duncan received the third for pursuing Mark Madsen after he grabbed Duncan going to the basket.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he felt "fortunate" to win the game because the Wolves played well for three quarters and his team played well for one. But in that one quarter, the Spurs dominated 32-11 and moved the ball superbly, inside to Duncan and then back outside to open three-point shooters.
"Do you want to give Duncan two points or hope they miss the three?" Telfair asked. "And tonight they didn't miss the three."
Wolves -- you guessed it -- falter again in fourth quarter
Despite playing without its starting guards, Minnesota gamely battled until being outscored 32-11 in the last quarter.
By Jerry Zgoda ([email protected]), Star Tribune
Last update: December 01, 2007 – 12:28 AM
Down two starters and ahead 14 points late in the third quarter, the Timberwolves discovered at Target Center for the second time in six days that no lead is safe in Friday's 106-91 loss to San Antonio.Undone by Atlanta last week despite an 11-point edge to begin the fourth quarter, the Wolves were outmanned and outscored 40-11 to the finish Friday by the defending NBA champion Spurs in a conclusion that bore little resemblance in feel to the loss six days earlier because of the opponent.
"Until you play against them a couple of times, you can't understand how good this team is," Wolves point guard Sebastian Telfair said. "They're so smart. They don't cheat the game. They're just that good. That's why they win championships."
The Wolves played the final three quarters without their starting backcourt. Shooting guard Rashad McCants arrived at the arena Friday evening with a sore right knee, the same one he had microfracture surgery on after his rookie season, and was deactivated for the game. Point guard Marko Jaric hobbled to the locker room after the first quarter because of a sprained right foot and ankle.
Without them, Telfair -- the team's only remaining, healthy point guard -- played 39 minutes and the Spurs started their way back from an 80-66 deficit with 1:25 left in the third quarter when he came to the Wolves' bench for an 85-second breather.
By the time Telfair returned to start the fourth quarter, the Spurs had finished the third with an 8-0 run. By the time they played most of the fourth quarter with a small lineup and ratcheted the defensive heat against a depleted lineup, the Spurs had shot the Wolves into submission.
The Spurs made 12 three-pointers Friday, including six in the fourth quarter, and sixth-man Manu Ginobili made seven of nine attempts from there on his way to 31 points.
"I can't remember Ginobili missing a shot," said Wolves coach Randy Wittman, whose team lost for the 12th time in 14 games. "Seems like they all went in."
Ginobili and Spurs point guard Tony Parker tore through seams in the Timberwolves defense in the fourth quarter while the Wolves offense stagnated in a game that turned contentious with three technical fouls. Each head coach earned one (Wittman's first of the season) and Duncan received the third for pursuing Mark Madsen after he grabbed Duncan going to the basket.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he felt "fortunate" to win the game because the Wolves played well for three quarters and his team played well for one. But in that one quarter, the Spurs dominated 32-11 and moved the ball superbly, inside to Duncan and then back outside to open three-point shooters.
"Do you want to give Duncan two points or hope they miss the three?" Telfair asked. "And tonight they didn't miss the three."