Game Blog :: Spurs vs. TWolves :: Nov. 5

[timvp]

why do they give it to tony? he has nice stats, but he's teh last person i'd ever give the ball to in the clutch.......... he'll always be a choke artist when it matters

parker has not been clutch this whole season.

Fail on multiple levels. Parker has been the clutchest player on the team in the last three playoff runs ... by far. Parker has the best clutch stats so far this season. And tonight he wasn't horrible either.

[duncan228]

Final: Spurs 129, Wolves 125 (2OT)

SECOND OVERTIME

Tony Parker had the biggest night of his career to help the Spurs collect their first victory of the season by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 129-125 in double overtime.

Parker had 42 points in regulation - his career high. He had a lot of work to do after that. Parker hit a shot at the buzzer at the end of the first overtime to tie the game. He scored nine of the Spurs' 13 points in the second overtime, giving him 11 of the Spurs' last 15 points overall, to finish with 55.

Parker was 22 of 36 from the field (61.1 percent). He added 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Roger Mason Jr. also had his biggest game in a Silver and Black uniform and Tim Duncan came on strong in the second half and overtimes. Duncan finished with 30 points after scoring only six in the first half. Mason had 26 points off the bench, hitting 9 of 16 from the field.

FIRST OVERTIME

Parker hit a shot at the buzzer to tie the first overtime 116-116. He and Duncan both had four points in the OT period.

Al Jefferson scored with 2.5 seconds left in OT to give the Timberwolves a 116-114 lead.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Spurs and Timberwolves are headed to overtime tied 106-106. A Duncan basket with 2.7 seconds left tied it after there were five lead changes in the last 5:04 of the game.

The Spurs' defense struggled to slow the Timberwolves late in regulation. The Timberwolves scored 35 points in the quarter.

The Timberwolves got on a roll and the teams are trading baskets - and leads - heading down the stretch. A Mason 3-pointer boosted the Spurs to a 97-93 lead.

Parker and Duncan have combined for the Spurs' last nine points. After trailing for most of the second and third quarters, the Spurs lead 88-81 midway through the fourth quarter.

The Spurs made some defensive stops early in the fourth quarter. A Duncan basket put the Spurs in front 82-75 for their biggest lead.

THIRD QUARTER

Parker is up to 32 points and Roger Mason Jr. has 18 and the Spurs lead 74-71 at the end of the third quarter. A Parker basket put the Spurs in front 70-68 and gave them their first lead of the second half.

Duncan, who had a slow start to the game, is up to 10 points.

The Timberwolves opened the second half with an 8-3 run. The Spurs answered with a 9-2 run that included a basket and two assists by Tim Duncan. The Timberwolves still lead 59-57.

SECOND QUARTER

Parker accounted for more than half of the Spurs' scoring in the first half as they trailed the Timberwolves 49-45 at halftime.

Parker was 9 of 15 from the field - including 2 of 2 from 3-point range. He led the Spurs with 24 points. Roger Mason Jr. had nine points off the bench. After Parker, the rest of the Spurs were a combined 9 of 28 from the field in the half.

Duncan recorded his first points when he made a basket with 7:54 left in the first half. Duncan missed his first six shots. The Timberwolves lead 36-28.

The Timberwolves went on a 7-0 run early in the second quarter to go ahead 27-22, their biggest lead so far.

FIRST QUARTER

Tony Parker had 11 points, Tim Duncan didn't score and the Spurs finished the first quarter tied with the Timberwolves 18-18. Parker was 5 of 9 from the field and had two assists.

So far the Spurs haven't gotten any points from their big men. Tony Parker and Roger Mason Jr. have done all the scoring. The Timberwolves lead 12-11 late in the first quarter.

Tony Parker had all the Spurs' points when they took an 8-5 lead at the first timeout.

The Spurs, who had been struggling on offense this season, held the Timberwolves scoreless their first eight possessions.

PREGAME

Spurs starters: Tony Parker, Michael Finley, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner.

The Spurs are still trying to get untracked heading into tonight's meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.

The Spurs started the season dropping close games to the Suns and Blazers before being overpowered by the Mavericks on Tuesday night. That means the Spurs are trying to record their first victory of the season tonight in the second game of a back-to-back. The Spurs jumped on a plane Tuesday night shortly after their game at the AT&T Center ended.

The Timberwolves won their season opener against the Kings, then lost to the Mavericks and Thunder. The Timberwolves have had the last two days off. Al Jefferson leads the Timberwolves with 19.7 points and 11.7 points per game.

Here's how the Spurs' Big Two (with Manu Ginobili sidelined) have done the first three games.

Tim Duncan is averaging 26.0 points and 10.3 rebounds:
vs. Mavs: 19 points, 15 rebounds
vs. Blazers: 27 points, 10 rebounds
vs Suns: 32 points, 6 rebounds

Tony Parker is averaging 26.0 points and 6.3 assists.
vs. Mavs: 22 points, 3 assists
vs. Blazers: 24 points, 11 assists
vs. Suns: 32 points, 5 assists

- Joe Alexander, mySanAntonio.com

[peskypesky]

Bench Finley. Bench Bonner.
starters: Parker, Mason, Bowen, Duncan, Oberto

reserves: Vaughn/Hill, Finley, Udoka, Bonner, Thomas

[milkyway21]

Parker was 22 of 36 from the field (61.1 percent). He added 10 rebounds and seven assists.

that's high percentage shot.
But I thought it was 10 assts and 7 rbds?

thanks duncan228, for posting the article.

[duncan228]

But I thought it was 10 assts and 7 rbds?

I've got 10 assists and 7 boards too. Another slip not caught. I'm convinced they don't proof stuff, especially when they're getting something out quick.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Final: Spurs 129, Wolves 125 (2OT)

Tim Duncan is averaging 26.0 points and 10.3 rebounds:
vs. Mavs: 19 points, 15 rebounds
vs. Blazers: 27 points, 10 rebounds
vs Suns: 32 points, 6 rebounds

Tony Parker is averaging 26.0 points and 6.3 assists.
vs. Mavs: 22 points, 3 assists
vs. Blazers: 24 points, 11 assists
vs. Suns: 32 points, 5 assists

- Joe Alexander, mySanAntonio.com

wheres MASONS avgs for the 3 games so far? you want mace in ur face? post that up NAO

[duncan228]

Spurs' exhales worth the wait
By Mike Monroe

MINNEAPOLIS — Election Day dawned sunny and warm in this city that usually is frost-bound by mid-October, and by mid-afternoon, temperatures reached the 80s.

Then the Spurs arrived, very early the next morning, and brought with them a cold front and rain showers.

It's been like that for the Spurs in a 2008-09 season in its infancy, which finally yielded its first victory after three losses, a dramatic, 129-125 double overtime decision over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in which Spurs guard Tony Parker made some history.

Parker poured in 55 points, tying him with George Gervin for third on the Spurs' all-time scoring list.

The Spurs All-Star point guard's point total was the most points ever scored at the Target Center.

[milkyway21]

wheres MASONS avgs for the 3 games so far? you want mace in ur face? post that up NAO

what makes Mason good is he not prone to turnovers. He only has 1 TO/game, so far. Correct me if I'm wrong

[Flux451]

This game isn't any different then last year when we had a healthy team.
Don't forget, Manu saved us from a close game last year against Minnesota.

Be happy with a W!!!

[bresilhac]

What a great first win for San Antonio. Tony was simply awesome. No, he was beyond awesome. And if Roger Mason can continue to shoot clutch like he did tonight then we'll have four major scoring threats when Gino returns. It's going to be a great season!

[galvatron3000]

Let's talk about the Spurs' defiencies and what needs to be addressed because it will be exposed in the playoffs.

Mason needs to start
Finley should be reduced to garbage time player
REBOUNDS REBOUNDS REBOUNDS (Ian could address this issue)
Bench scoring, energy and depth

I missed the game but this seems to be the recurring theme from what I've seen so far and I'm sure what was needed tonight

[peskypesky]

Let's talk about the Spurs' defiencies and what needs to be addressed because it will be exposed in the playoffs.

Mason needs to start
Finley should be reduced to garbage time player
REBOUNDS REBOUNDS REBOUNDS (Ian could address this issue)
Bench scoring, energy and depth

I missed the game but this seems to be the recurring theme from what I've seen so far and I'm sure what was needed tonight

I agree. Pop needs to dislodge his head from his ass and quick.

[YODA]

great game, but does anyone else think the interior D is horrible? man, Thomas, Bonner looked horrible. when Tim feels someone will switch, he has great confidence to help out, but he losing more and more confidence to help out on D. Almost reluctant to help out. Bonner and Thomas ...Yikes.

IS Thomas still hurt? so few minutes for him. Bonner even less. For the starting center and best big off bench, they barely played at all. 0 points in 19 min with 5 rebounds now much for 2 important players.

Mason has really been impressive. I had no idea he could drive like he does. I kinda thought he was a pop up shooter.

Bowen- 3 points in 31 min is it me or is he passing up alot of open shots????
has he lost his confidence?

TP- Guy rocks,,enough said.

TD- see TP above

ALL Im worried about now is interiror D Bonner Thomas really worry me for the future. Our best defender in Bowen is far from helpself too. blahhh I worry to m uch.

[duncan228]

A couple of quotes in this one.

Parker's career-night sends Spurs to first win in 2-OT thriller

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Tony Parker was unstoppable en route to dropping a career-high 55 points, including nine in the second overtime, as the San Antonio Spurs made their first win of the season a memorable one with a 129-125 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Parker connected on 22-of-36 shots from the floor and dished out 10 assists while bringing down seven rebounds for the Spurs, who had lost their opening three games for the first time since an 0-4 start to the 1973-74 campaign.

"It was just one of those games where everything you do works," Parker said. "Everyone knows if I make my jump shot then I can do whatever I want, and tonight was just one of those games where everything was working."

Tim Duncan woke up from a lackluster first half to post 30 points and 16 rebounds, while Roger Mason chipped in 26 points off the bench for the victors.

Al Jefferson was a force in the post with 30 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to stop the Timberwolves from dropping their third straight.

Mike Miller hit 5-of-7 from three-point range for 25 points, while Corey Brewer and Kevin Love added 15 and 14 points, respectively, in the setback.

The Spurs failed to score in the opening 2:40 of the first overtime, but Duncan's turnaround jumper with 51.5 seconds left capped a 6-0 run for a 112-110 lead.

A flurry of fouls and solid free throw shooting resulted in a tie game with 7.4 ticks left. Minnesota went to Jefferson down on the left block and his unorthodox hook shot over Duncan put the T-Wolves ahead 116-114 with 2.5 seconds showing.

"[Minnesota] played a great game and made some big shots," Duncan said. "Al [Jefferson] was great out there. He made some great shots out there to keep them in the game."

The Spurs called a timeout and drew up a play for Parker, who beat his defender off the dribble and hit a jumper from just inside the three-point line as time expired to send the game into another five-minute session.

Mason and Parker hit back-to-back field goals to put San Antonio ahead by four with less than 1 1/2 minutes remaining.

Randy Foye hit a three-pointer to make it a one-point game several possessions later, but it was the last field goal Minnesota hit, as Parker made 3-of-4 from the foul line down the stretch to cap his career game.

"We fought and played a great game," a dejected Miller said. "Tony Parker really played great and Tim Duncan of course played great. At the end of the day it's a loss, and we have to come back tomorrow and get ready for this [three-game] road trip."

Miller and Parker carried their respective teams in an otherwise offense- starved first quarter. Miller logged 12 points and Parker dropped 11 as the clubs went into the second locked at 18 apiece.

The supporting casts came to life in the next stanza with the Timberwolves bench getting the better of their counterparts to lead 49-45 at intermission.

The combination of Jefferson and Love on the blocks helped the T-Wolves take a 57-48 lead early in the third, but a subsequent 9-2 run by the suddenly hot Spurs made it a two-point game.

San Antonio made 10 consecutive shots -- three from Parker -- to take a 74-71 advantage heading to the final session.

The Spurs picked up right where they left off, and Duncan's jumper from the top of the key three minutes into the frame pushed the visitors ahead, 82-75.

Miller's three-pointer with 6 1/2 minutes left energized the crowd and spear- headed a 9-2 spurt for Minnesota that tied the game at 90.

A back-and-forth affair ensued, and Parker put the Spurs ahead, 104-103, with 33.5 seconds remaining on an 18-footer. At the other end, Sebastian Telfair penetrated and gave Love a bounce pass on the right block, and the rookie finished strong over Duncan for yet another lead change with 17.7 ticks left.

Parker missed a go-ahead runner, but Jefferson made just 1-of-2 from the line before "The Big Fundamental" knotted things at 106 with his patented six-foot bank shot with 2.7 seconds showing on the clock.

Bruce Bowen stole the ensuing inbounds pass, only to have Parker miss a three as time expired to send the game into the game's first overtime.

Game Notes

Telfair made his season debut for Minnesota after serving a three-game suspension for pleading guilty to a weapons possession charge in the offseason. The guard finished with eight points and 10 assists off the bench...The Spurs have won six straight games against the Timberwolves and 11 of the last 12 encounters in the series...Foye logged 11 points, nine assists and five rebounds in the loss.

[tonski17]

its a good win but i guess they should involve other players..
and with a put some more D on their game.. but i dont care how they do it for as long as they win games without manu thats good enough..

[Slippy]

Massive game by Tony who along with Mase and Tim carried the team on offense. Can't say that was a great game as a whole by the Spurs though. It should of been won in the 4th. The defense was sloppy. Way too many open shots on the perimeter and the lack of cover from rotations got exposed by the wolves. The worrying part, it didn't get much better towards the end and OT. When you would of expected a experienced side like the Spurs to step it up.

Hopefully it just a case of the team still coming together and tired legs. Atleast they finally on the Win tally.

[Ice009]

Meh, Only Fin shot more than 5x, and he was 1-9/ Ime goes for 4-5, but the mancrush prevails.

Fab with 2 rebounds in 30 minutes is horrible, he needs to get back in it, just like KT. For Bonner, there's no hope.

Hill rebounded better than our centers tonight.

I AM SAYING IT. IME MUST start over Finley next game. At least Ime plays defense and REBOUNDS.

[Allanon]

Damn, I missed last night's game, sounds like a thriller with the Double-OT and Tony going for 55 and Money going nuts.