Solid D
01-05-2005, 12:47 AM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA010505.1C.BKNspurs.lakers.gamer.7672e875.html
Web Posted: 01/04/2005 11:15 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Two nights after futilely chasing Peja Stojakovic around Sacramento, Bruce Bowen did the unthinkable.
He shot like him.
Bowen made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points, his most in a regular-season game, as the Spurs blitzed the Los Angeles Lakers 100-83 on Tuesday night at the SBC Center.
Bowen also helped hold Kobe Bryant to 17 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
In beating the Lakers for the second time this season, the Spurs stole a page from their playbook. Specifically, the one that reads, "Set feet, cock wrist, fire."
Los Angeles averages 22.5 3-point attempts per game, second in the NBA to the Phoenix Suns. On Tuesday, the Spurs showed they, too, can let fly, taking 30 3-pointers and making 15, the later of which matched a franchise record.
Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich made it clear before the game he wanted his team to take away the Spurs' lanes to the basket and concede the occasional open jumper.
"They're a penetrate-and-kick type of team," Tomjanovich said. "But if you don't get there on penetration, it's layup and no kick. That's our biggest focus: not let them get all the way to the basket."
For the most part, the Lakers accomplished their goal. They just picked the wrong night to let the Spurs shoot.
The Spurs matched a franchise record with six 3-pointers in the first quarter, two more than they made all of Sunday in Sacramento. Bowen had three, and Brent Barry added his third less than two minutes into the second quarter as the Spurs took a 37-18 lead.
The Spurs shared the ball, as they have much of this season. They assisted on 15 of their first 16 baskets. Los Angeles didn't pick up its second assist until 2:45 remained in the second quarter.
The only time Bowen has scored more was when he had 27 against the Lakers in Game 2 of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals.
After trading Shaquille O'Neal to Miami and ushering Phil Jackson into his literary career, the Lakers began the evening with Chris Mihm as their center, Tomjanovich as their coach and a 16-12 record, good enough for sixth place in the Western Conference.
The Spurs, meanwhile, have become the team to target. If the Spurs needed another reminder, the Kings provided one Sunday.
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Web Posted: 01/04/2005 11:15 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Two nights after futilely chasing Peja Stojakovic around Sacramento, Bruce Bowen did the unthinkable.
He shot like him.
Bowen made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points, his most in a regular-season game, as the Spurs blitzed the Los Angeles Lakers 100-83 on Tuesday night at the SBC Center.
Bowen also helped hold Kobe Bryant to 17 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
In beating the Lakers for the second time this season, the Spurs stole a page from their playbook. Specifically, the one that reads, "Set feet, cock wrist, fire."
Los Angeles averages 22.5 3-point attempts per game, second in the NBA to the Phoenix Suns. On Tuesday, the Spurs showed they, too, can let fly, taking 30 3-pointers and making 15, the later of which matched a franchise record.
Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich made it clear before the game he wanted his team to take away the Spurs' lanes to the basket and concede the occasional open jumper.
"They're a penetrate-and-kick type of team," Tomjanovich said. "But if you don't get there on penetration, it's layup and no kick. That's our biggest focus: not let them get all the way to the basket."
For the most part, the Lakers accomplished their goal. They just picked the wrong night to let the Spurs shoot.
The Spurs matched a franchise record with six 3-pointers in the first quarter, two more than they made all of Sunday in Sacramento. Bowen had three, and Brent Barry added his third less than two minutes into the second quarter as the Spurs took a 37-18 lead.
The Spurs shared the ball, as they have much of this season. They assisted on 15 of their first 16 baskets. Los Angeles didn't pick up its second assist until 2:45 remained in the second quarter.
The only time Bowen has scored more was when he had 27 against the Lakers in Game 2 of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals.
After trading Shaquille O'Neal to Miami and ushering Phil Jackson into his literary career, the Lakers began the evening with Chris Mihm as their center, Tomjanovich as their coach and a 16-12 record, good enough for sixth place in the Western Conference.
The Spurs, meanwhile, have become the team to target. If the Spurs needed another reminder, the Kings provided one Sunday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected]