some_user86
12-18-2007, 04:00 AM
Spurs' home streak halted: Duncan's effort wasted against Suns
Web Posted: 12/18/2007 12:17 AM CST
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
During a December in which their best player watched four consecutive games in street clothes, the Spurs received an important dispatch from the Department of No-Duh: They are a better team with Tim Duncan on the floor.
On Monday night, they received another missive from the same office: When facing the offensive orgy that is the Phoenix Suns, they could use Tony Parker's services, too.
One game after officially returning from a sprained right ankle, Duncan was back in full force Monday night, detonating for 36 points and 17 rebounds in what was by far his best game of the season.
And still it was not enough to prevent the archrival Suns from escaping San Antonio with a 100-95 victory, in the process dealing the Spurs their first loss in 13 games at the AT&T Center this season.
The Phoenix victory came with one noted Suns killer — Parker — seated on the sideline for the third game in a row, nursing an ankle sprain of his own.
"We missed his offense, the way he attacks and breaks people down," Duncan said. "You never know what he could have meant in a game like this."
Forgive the Suns if they don't pause to put an asterisk by their latest victory in San Antonio. It was the Spurs' first loss at home since Game 4 of last year's Western Conference semifinals, also against these Suns.
Grant Hill, in the midst of his own season of rejuvenation, had 22 points to lead the Suns, who also got 18 from Leandro Barbosa and 17 from Amare Stoudemire.
Stoudemire gave the Suns the lead for the final time — 96-95 — by making a pair of foul shots with 17.4 seconds to go.
It was a white-knuckle finish befitting a battle of the Western Conference's top two teams. There were 12 lead changes and three ties in the final 71/2 minutes.
After Stoudemire's foul shots, the Spurs had one good chance to regain the lead, but Bruce Bowen's 3-pointer from the corner rimmed out with 10 seconds to go.
On that sequence, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called for Manu Ginobili to come off a screen and get to the rim. Finding the lane overstocked with Suns, Ginobili hit Bowen open in the corner.
"It's a shot I would take any time," said Bowen, a 47.6 percent 3-point shooter. "It's just a shot I missed."
Said Popovich: "I probably would have liked it if Bruce would've pumped that and drove it, but in the heat of battle, if you have an open three, you take it."
In a sense, a clanged 3-pointer was a fitting last gasp for the Spurs. What they missed, perhaps even more than a healthy point guard, was their shooting stroke.
One game after burying 11 of 22 3-pointers against Denver, they made just 5 of 23 on Monday night.
At one point, the Spurs were 1 of 14 from long range.
Twice in the final minute, the Spurs had a chance to either extend a lead or tie the game and turned the ball over.
"We gave the game away," Ginobili said.
And yes, the Spurs could have used Parker, too. Jacque Vaughn was again steady in Parker's place, but without their speedy point man, the Spurs managed zero fast-break points.
In the end, the Spurs squandered a monster night from Duncan — who more than doubled his season averages for points (17) and rebounds (eight). By halftime, he had already notched 24 and 12.
Out of options for defending Duncan, Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni turned to a surprising source for inspiration — Muhammad Ali.
"We were doing the old rope-a-dope," D'Antoni said, "trying to get him tired from scoring too much."
That move didn't exactly work, either. Duncan still finished strong, but it all went for naught.
After the game, Duncan delivered his own message from the No-Duh Department.
"I would have rather had a little less," he said, "and still won the game."
Had Parker been available, maybe Duncan would have gotten his wish. Maybe he wouldn't have.
The Suns weren't about to wait around to find out.
[email protected]
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121807.01D.BKNspurs.suns.gamer.29528f3.html
Web Posted: 12/18/2007 12:17 AM CST
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
During a December in which their best player watched four consecutive games in street clothes, the Spurs received an important dispatch from the Department of No-Duh: They are a better team with Tim Duncan on the floor.
On Monday night, they received another missive from the same office: When facing the offensive orgy that is the Phoenix Suns, they could use Tony Parker's services, too.
One game after officially returning from a sprained right ankle, Duncan was back in full force Monday night, detonating for 36 points and 17 rebounds in what was by far his best game of the season.
And still it was not enough to prevent the archrival Suns from escaping San Antonio with a 100-95 victory, in the process dealing the Spurs their first loss in 13 games at the AT&T Center this season.
The Phoenix victory came with one noted Suns killer — Parker — seated on the sideline for the third game in a row, nursing an ankle sprain of his own.
"We missed his offense, the way he attacks and breaks people down," Duncan said. "You never know what he could have meant in a game like this."
Forgive the Suns if they don't pause to put an asterisk by their latest victory in San Antonio. It was the Spurs' first loss at home since Game 4 of last year's Western Conference semifinals, also against these Suns.
Grant Hill, in the midst of his own season of rejuvenation, had 22 points to lead the Suns, who also got 18 from Leandro Barbosa and 17 from Amare Stoudemire.
Stoudemire gave the Suns the lead for the final time — 96-95 — by making a pair of foul shots with 17.4 seconds to go.
It was a white-knuckle finish befitting a battle of the Western Conference's top two teams. There were 12 lead changes and three ties in the final 71/2 minutes.
After Stoudemire's foul shots, the Spurs had one good chance to regain the lead, but Bruce Bowen's 3-pointer from the corner rimmed out with 10 seconds to go.
On that sequence, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called for Manu Ginobili to come off a screen and get to the rim. Finding the lane overstocked with Suns, Ginobili hit Bowen open in the corner.
"It's a shot I would take any time," said Bowen, a 47.6 percent 3-point shooter. "It's just a shot I missed."
Said Popovich: "I probably would have liked it if Bruce would've pumped that and drove it, but in the heat of battle, if you have an open three, you take it."
In a sense, a clanged 3-pointer was a fitting last gasp for the Spurs. What they missed, perhaps even more than a healthy point guard, was their shooting stroke.
One game after burying 11 of 22 3-pointers against Denver, they made just 5 of 23 on Monday night.
At one point, the Spurs were 1 of 14 from long range.
Twice in the final minute, the Spurs had a chance to either extend a lead or tie the game and turned the ball over.
"We gave the game away," Ginobili said.
And yes, the Spurs could have used Parker, too. Jacque Vaughn was again steady in Parker's place, but without their speedy point man, the Spurs managed zero fast-break points.
In the end, the Spurs squandered a monster night from Duncan — who more than doubled his season averages for points (17) and rebounds (eight). By halftime, he had already notched 24 and 12.
Out of options for defending Duncan, Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni turned to a surprising source for inspiration — Muhammad Ali.
"We were doing the old rope-a-dope," D'Antoni said, "trying to get him tired from scoring too much."
That move didn't exactly work, either. Duncan still finished strong, but it all went for naught.
After the game, Duncan delivered his own message from the No-Duh Department.
"I would have rather had a little less," he said, "and still won the game."
Had Parker been available, maybe Duncan would have gotten his wish. Maybe he wouldn't have.
The Suns weren't about to wait around to find out.
[email protected]
LINK: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121807.01D.BKNspurs.suns.gamer.29528f3.html