ducks
03-16-2008, 05:22 PM
MySa.com: Pop not worried
76ers keep Spurs reeling
Web Posted: 03/15/2008 11:43 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
PHILADELPHIA — Five days earlier, the Spurs boarded their charter jet bound for a three-game road swing sure to test their resolve, their mettle and their 30-something legs.
They touched down in San Antonio early this morning after a 103-96 loss Saturday night at Philadelphia, owning the same number of victories they had when they left and having slid from first to fifth in the Western Conference race.
What, they worry?
"Worry isn't something that you do," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "You just go and play. You don't have time to worry."
Even as the Spurs' losing streak hit three games for the third time this season, and even with league-leading Boston ticketed for the AT&T Center on Monday, Popovich continued to preach patience and insist all is well. If the tightly packed nature of the Western Conference chase is making him skittish, he is doing an Oscar-worthy job of hiding it.
The Spurs' loss Saturday at the Wachovia Center left them in fifth place in the West, 11/2 games behind the first-place Lakers and Houston and just three games ahead of eighth-place Golden State.
"We'd much rather be winning than losing," Popovich said. "But what's important is how you're playing, and I think we're getting better in that regard, even though it didn't show in our record on this trip."
The oldest team in the league playing on the second night of a back-to-back after losing at Detroit the night before, the Spurs looked the part early on. The Sixers, also playing for the second consecutive night after rallying for a victory at Chicago, often used their younger legs to run by, around or through their opponents.
A first-half scoring lull combined with a Sixers team on fire left the Spurs in a 13-point hole in the second quarter. They spent the rest of the night trying in vain to completely close the gap.
Andre Miller became the latest sharpshooter to victimize the Spurs, throwing in 32 points for his highest total in almost three seasons. He teamed with Andre Iguodala, who finished with 25, to keep the Spurs at bay.
The Spurs got within six points on four occasions in the final 61/2 minutes, but it seemed Miller or Iguodala were always at the ready with big shots.
"They dominated the whole game," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "Never by 20, but steadily by 10."
Still, the Spurs — led by Ginobili and an extra-strength Tony Parker — never quite gave up on closing the gap. Parker had 27 points, leading the Spurs in scoring for the third consecutive game, while Ginobili added 22.
Despite the heroics of the Spurs' starting backcourt, the Sixers controlled the game, leading for all of the final 39:13.
"We could never get a run going," Ginobili said. "Every time we got it back to seven, they hit a big shot. Basically, the whole game was between seven and 12."
The Sixers' unsung hero might have been Samuel Dalembert, who twice blocked a Tim Duncan shot down the stretch to help keep the Spurs at arm's length.
Had Duncan converted the second of those attempts, it would have brought the Spurs to within four with 2:18 left.
It was Parker who gave the Spurs their best last gasp.
The Sixers were ahead by seven with the ball when Parker swooped in to swipe it from Lou Williams. He went coast to coast for a layup that brought the Spurs within 98-93 with 1:07 to go.
Twice in the final minute, the Spurs had chances to crawl within three, but Bruce Bowen and Michael Finley each had 3-point attempts rim out. Miller made a pair of free throws with 39.8 seconds to go to put the Sixers up by eight and essentially seal the game.
"We're a team that just goes out and plays hard every game," Philadelphia's Willie Green said. "We scratch, fight and claw to win the game and tonight it was evident."
Before the night was over, the Spurs would board another charter flight, no better off than they were five days ago.
They were headed home, not to worry.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.3613f83.html
76ers keep Spurs reeling
Web Posted: 03/15/2008 11:43 PM CDT
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
PHILADELPHIA — Five days earlier, the Spurs boarded their charter jet bound for a three-game road swing sure to test their resolve, their mettle and their 30-something legs.
They touched down in San Antonio early this morning after a 103-96 loss Saturday night at Philadelphia, owning the same number of victories they had when they left and having slid from first to fifth in the Western Conference race.
What, they worry?
"Worry isn't something that you do," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "You just go and play. You don't have time to worry."
Even as the Spurs' losing streak hit three games for the third time this season, and even with league-leading Boston ticketed for the AT&T Center on Monday, Popovich continued to preach patience and insist all is well. If the tightly packed nature of the Western Conference chase is making him skittish, he is doing an Oscar-worthy job of hiding it.
The Spurs' loss Saturday at the Wachovia Center left them in fifth place in the West, 11/2 games behind the first-place Lakers and Houston and just three games ahead of eighth-place Golden State.
"We'd much rather be winning than losing," Popovich said. "But what's important is how you're playing, and I think we're getting better in that regard, even though it didn't show in our record on this trip."
The oldest team in the league playing on the second night of a back-to-back after losing at Detroit the night before, the Spurs looked the part early on. The Sixers, also playing for the second consecutive night after rallying for a victory at Chicago, often used their younger legs to run by, around or through their opponents.
A first-half scoring lull combined with a Sixers team on fire left the Spurs in a 13-point hole in the second quarter. They spent the rest of the night trying in vain to completely close the gap.
Andre Miller became the latest sharpshooter to victimize the Spurs, throwing in 32 points for his highest total in almost three seasons. He teamed with Andre Iguodala, who finished with 25, to keep the Spurs at bay.
The Spurs got within six points on four occasions in the final 61/2 minutes, but it seemed Miller or Iguodala were always at the ready with big shots.
"They dominated the whole game," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "Never by 20, but steadily by 10."
Still, the Spurs — led by Ginobili and an extra-strength Tony Parker — never quite gave up on closing the gap. Parker had 27 points, leading the Spurs in scoring for the third consecutive game, while Ginobili added 22.
Despite the heroics of the Spurs' starting backcourt, the Sixers controlled the game, leading for all of the final 39:13.
"We could never get a run going," Ginobili said. "Every time we got it back to seven, they hit a big shot. Basically, the whole game was between seven and 12."
The Sixers' unsung hero might have been Samuel Dalembert, who twice blocked a Tim Duncan shot down the stretch to help keep the Spurs at arm's length.
Had Duncan converted the second of those attempts, it would have brought the Spurs to within four with 2:18 left.
It was Parker who gave the Spurs their best last gasp.
The Sixers were ahead by seven with the ball when Parker swooped in to swipe it from Lou Williams. He went coast to coast for a layup that brought the Spurs within 98-93 with 1:07 to go.
Twice in the final minute, the Spurs had chances to crawl within three, but Bruce Bowen and Michael Finley each had 3-point attempts rim out. Miller made a pair of free throws with 39.8 seconds to go to put the Sixers up by eight and essentially seal the game.
"We're a team that just goes out and plays hard every game," Philadelphia's Willie Green said. "We scratch, fight and claw to win the game and tonight it was evident."
Before the night was over, the Spurs would board another charter flight, no better off than they were five days ago.
They were headed home, not to worry.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.3613f83.html