duncan228
04-29-2008, 01:58 PM
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA042908.spurs-NB.en.ad9d7b79.html
Spurs Notebook: Response to blowout nothing new
Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer
If the Spurs seem relatively unfazed by their blowout loss to Phoenix in Game 4, it’s because they’ve been here before.
Sunday’s 105-86 defeat snapped a nine-game postseason winning streak. The Spurs’ last playoff loss before then was a 109-83 affair at Utah in Game 3 of last season’s Western Conference finals.
The Spurs went on to win that series 4-1. They also suffered a lopsided loss against Phoenix, 101-81, in Game 2 of last year’s second-round series before ousting the Suns.
“You never want to lose a game like that,” Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. “But it happens.”
The key, the Spurs say, is in how they respond. They are well-versed in the postseason bounce-back. The Spurs haven’t lost back-to-back playoff games since 2006.
Sleepy Horry: In Game 4, Spurs forward Robert Horry had his most active day in more than a month, playing a full 20 minutes. By the time he arrived back in San Antonio, Horry was ready for a nap.
“I finally slept because I was a little tired,” Horry said after Monday’s practice. “It’s been a month and some odd since I played more than five minutes in a game.”
Shaq defends D’Antoni: The chorus of calls for the head of Suns coach Mike D’Antoni grew after the Spurs’ Game 3 victory put the Suns in a 3-0 series hole. With a little breathing room after their Game 4 victory, Shaquille O’Neal gave a hearty defense of the coach on Monday.
“Usually when things go wrong, the top two or three guys take the heat,” O’Neal said. “I’ve been around a lot of coaches, and he is the right guy. He has a great relationship and terrific rapport with the players. ..... It’s never the coach. It’s always the players.”
Ticket count: As of Monday afternoon, about 1,800 tickets remained for tonight’s Game.5, including some for seats in the lower bowl.
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster ticket center locations. They also can be charged by phone by calling (210) 225-TEAM, or online at ticketmaster.com or spurs8.com.
Staff writer Mike Monroe contributed to this notebook.
Spurs Notebook: Response to blowout nothing new
Jeff McDonald
Express-News Staff Writer
If the Spurs seem relatively unfazed by their blowout loss to Phoenix in Game 4, it’s because they’ve been here before.
Sunday’s 105-86 defeat snapped a nine-game postseason winning streak. The Spurs’ last playoff loss before then was a 109-83 affair at Utah in Game 3 of last season’s Western Conference finals.
The Spurs went on to win that series 4-1. They also suffered a lopsided loss against Phoenix, 101-81, in Game 2 of last year’s second-round series before ousting the Suns.
“You never want to lose a game like that,” Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. “But it happens.”
The key, the Spurs say, is in how they respond. They are well-versed in the postseason bounce-back. The Spurs haven’t lost back-to-back playoff games since 2006.
Sleepy Horry: In Game 4, Spurs forward Robert Horry had his most active day in more than a month, playing a full 20 minutes. By the time he arrived back in San Antonio, Horry was ready for a nap.
“I finally slept because I was a little tired,” Horry said after Monday’s practice. “It’s been a month and some odd since I played more than five minutes in a game.”
Shaq defends D’Antoni: The chorus of calls for the head of Suns coach Mike D’Antoni grew after the Spurs’ Game 3 victory put the Suns in a 3-0 series hole. With a little breathing room after their Game 4 victory, Shaquille O’Neal gave a hearty defense of the coach on Monday.
“Usually when things go wrong, the top two or three guys take the heat,” O’Neal said. “I’ve been around a lot of coaches, and he is the right guy. He has a great relationship and terrific rapport with the players. ..... It’s never the coach. It’s always the players.”
Ticket count: As of Monday afternoon, about 1,800 tickets remained for tonight’s Game.5, including some for seats in the lower bowl.
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster ticket center locations. They also can be charged by phone by calling (210) 225-TEAM, or online at ticketmaster.com or spurs8.com.
Staff writer Mike Monroe contributed to this notebook.