Solid D
01-01-2005, 05:29 PM
Interesting insight from Dunleavy and on what Pop's dismissal did for the Spurs.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~25424~2629517,00.html
L.A. can't find an answer for Duncan, Parker
By Joe Stevens
Staff Writer
The Clippers' performance did not induce popping champagne corks or the sailing of streamers. But even if their play had been like a New Year's Rocking Eve, they still wouldn't have had an answer for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the juggernaut San Antonio Spurs.
Duncan and Parker combined for 44 points and dismantled the Clippers 98-79 in front of 17,115 Friday at Staples Center.
Although Duncan's 23 points and eight rebounds may not look too special, he was pivotal when the Spurs pulled away at the beginning of the fourth quarter. On one basket before the Spurs went up 85-68 with 7:18 left, Duncan snagged a rebound, drove the length of the court amid Clippers and scored on a layup.
After that, the Clippers never had a legitimate chance, and San Antonio led by as many as 20 points. The Clippers wasted an exceptional night from Rick Brunson, who scored 17 points with eight assists and six rebounds.
Duncan also helped limit Elton Brand to 14 points and eight rebounds. Corey Maggette scored 17 points with 10 rebounds for the Clippers. who have the same 13-15 record that they had at this point last season.
Regardless of how the statistics appear, the Spurs outplayed the Clippers in pretty much every aspect of the game. The Clippers could claim a 41-39 rebounding edge.
The Spurs were spectacularly sound, limiting themselves to seven turnovers in the game and shooting 58.4 percent in the final three quarters.
San Antonio (25-6) has won five in a row and nine of 10. The Spurs showed again why they are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship.
"I'm sure Pop (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) feels he's got weaknesses somewhere," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "I can't see it."
Dunleavy then listed Spurs strengths: speed, 3-point shooting, defense and ball pressure, among others. The Clippers' coach was a TV analyst for the Spurs in the 2002-03 season, and he says they've gotten better since.
"I know them very well," he said. "But it doesn't help me any."
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich could have started his New Year's Eve celebration a little early when he was ejected with 58.4 seconds left in the first quarter. Popovich practically appeared to want to get ejected.
On an out-of-bounds call that went to the Spurs, Popovich ran on the sideline to center court and confronted official Eddie Rush, who whistled him for two consecutive technical fouls, earning the coach an automatic ejection.
The ejection came in the midst of a 7-0 Clippers run that put them on top 22-12 with 31.5 seconds left in the first quarter. The 10-point lead was short-lived as San Antonio outscored the Clippers 25-17 in the second quarter to tie the score 39-39 at halftime.
With Popovich gone, the Spurs played inspired. Their roster is one of the deepest in the NBA, and, coaching-wise, they also are deep _ former Seton Hall coach P.J. Carlesimo took over with Popovich gone.
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Joe Stevens, (562) 499-1338 [email protected]
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~25424~2629517,00.html
L.A. can't find an answer for Duncan, Parker
By Joe Stevens
Staff Writer
The Clippers' performance did not induce popping champagne corks or the sailing of streamers. But even if their play had been like a New Year's Rocking Eve, they still wouldn't have had an answer for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the juggernaut San Antonio Spurs.
Duncan and Parker combined for 44 points and dismantled the Clippers 98-79 in front of 17,115 Friday at Staples Center.
Although Duncan's 23 points and eight rebounds may not look too special, he was pivotal when the Spurs pulled away at the beginning of the fourth quarter. On one basket before the Spurs went up 85-68 with 7:18 left, Duncan snagged a rebound, drove the length of the court amid Clippers and scored on a layup.
After that, the Clippers never had a legitimate chance, and San Antonio led by as many as 20 points. The Clippers wasted an exceptional night from Rick Brunson, who scored 17 points with eight assists and six rebounds.
Duncan also helped limit Elton Brand to 14 points and eight rebounds. Corey Maggette scored 17 points with 10 rebounds for the Clippers. who have the same 13-15 record that they had at this point last season.
Regardless of how the statistics appear, the Spurs outplayed the Clippers in pretty much every aspect of the game. The Clippers could claim a 41-39 rebounding edge.
The Spurs were spectacularly sound, limiting themselves to seven turnovers in the game and shooting 58.4 percent in the final three quarters.
San Antonio (25-6) has won five in a row and nine of 10. The Spurs showed again why they are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship.
"I'm sure Pop (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) feels he's got weaknesses somewhere," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "I can't see it."
Dunleavy then listed Spurs strengths: speed, 3-point shooting, defense and ball pressure, among others. The Clippers' coach was a TV analyst for the Spurs in the 2002-03 season, and he says they've gotten better since.
"I know them very well," he said. "But it doesn't help me any."
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich could have started his New Year's Eve celebration a little early when he was ejected with 58.4 seconds left in the first quarter. Popovich practically appeared to want to get ejected.
On an out-of-bounds call that went to the Spurs, Popovich ran on the sideline to center court and confronted official Eddie Rush, who whistled him for two consecutive technical fouls, earning the coach an automatic ejection.
The ejection came in the midst of a 7-0 Clippers run that put them on top 22-12 with 31.5 seconds left in the first quarter. The 10-point lead was short-lived as San Antonio outscored the Clippers 25-17 in the second quarter to tie the score 39-39 at halftime.
With Popovich gone, the Spurs played inspired. Their roster is one of the deepest in the NBA, and, coaching-wise, they also are deep _ former Seton Hall coach P.J. Carlesimo took over with Popovich gone.
---
Joe Stevens, (562) 499-1338 [email protected]