Game Blog: Spurs vs. Rockets - 11.29.2008

[crc21209]

Good thing was that the Spurs showed fight tonight, they didnt lay down, they came back and cut it down to 2, even if it did go to again. Oh well, one of those nights.

[Ice009]

how dare someone stating a fact about what manu is capablily of doing

Tony started the Rockets run Ducks. Those two missed free throws were a HUGE momentum KILLER. It went from what should have been a tied game to a 7 point Rockets lead.

Manu was crap tonight, Tony definitely played better, but he was the one I think that gave the Rockets the momentum.

I don't understand Tony's free throws. I think it was in 2006 he was over 80%. I think he's dropped since then which is why I'm so mad at him missing free throws these days. He's not Tim or Bowen. Tony has proved he can make them so he should be making them ones.

All big three weren't that great. Tony was the best of the three though. TD got some points off of great passes from TP.

[m33p0]

ack, well. there will be other games.

[SAtown]

it is as if you think he can do no wrong and he is not human

Did I say that? wtf I mostly read instead of posting, and if the past is any indication, the next couple of days will be anti-Manu threads starring you.

You started talking about how bad Manu played as a response to another poster saying that our big 3 played like . I just find it ironic that you always single out Manu in these situations. I'm also impressed in the fact that you actually consider him part of the "Big 3."

[crc21209]

Luther Head is one of the most inconsistent players in the league. So him>Hill> Rose I dont think so.

[timtonymanu]

i wonder how timvp's game thoughts will look. the only positive will be Matt Bonner.

[Spurologist]

Luther Head > George Hill > Derrick Rose?

Hill is definitely in the middle though

[FirebatMIV]

Luther Head > George Hill > Derrick Rose?

How are you enjoying the Allen Iverson era?

[Capt Bringdown]

ack, well. there will be other games.

Yup, Spurs need to forget about this one. Me too, this game gave me a headache.

[pawe]

Tony started the Rockets run Those two missed free throws were a HUGE momentum KILLER. It went from what should have been a tied game to a 7 point Rockets lead.

YES! Totally agree with this.

[Ice009]

Tolliver isn't good. I think he won't be in San Antonio after january 10

Tolliver is a chucker that can't hit a shot even if he takes 10. At least someone like Marbury who is a chucker can make 40-45% if he takes 10 plus shots.

[Kori Ellis]

we've played 2 bad defensive games in a row after dominating defensively for a long stretch..clearly that means it's chemistry(although coaching was an issue tonight as well)..we'll get the chemistry down....

I think that has a lot to do with the rotations (or lack thereof). When Manu and Tony were out, the subs utions were pretty much set and everyone knew that they had to be stellar defensively because so much offense was missing. When you go 12 deep, it's hard for anyone to get in rhythm offensively or defensively.

It's so helter skelter now, it seems Pop just throws whoever out there together. Before the game, Pop said it will be another 2-3 games before they settle into a rotation.

[ducks]

Tony started the Rockets run Ducks. Those two missed free throws were a HUGE momentum KILLER. It went from what should have been a tied game to a 7 point Rockets lead.

Manu was crap tonight, Tony definitely played better, but he was the one I think that gave the Rockets the momentum.

I don't understand Tony's free throws. I think it was in 2006 he was over 80%. I think he's dropped since then which is why I'm so mad at him missing free throws these days. He's not Tim or Bowen. Tony has proved he can make them so he should be making them ones.

All big three weren't that great. Tony was the best of the three though. TD got some points off of great passes from TP.

the + - numbers state tp was the only starter that had a plus number
the others not

blaming tp for this loss is stupid
but go ahead manu gets the credits for all the wins and tp gets the credits for all the losses

[mVp]

We were better without TP... he came back and our defense went down...

/Josepatches

[Ice009]

Alright Rockets fans. I want to give your team props for the win. You guys kicked our asses tonight. Rockets played a good game.

[duncan228]

Final: Rockets 103, Spurs 84

The Spurs were playing their second game of a back-to-back Saturday night in Houston. They looked like it. The Rockets made the first basket of the game and led the rest of the way in a 103-84 victory over the Spurs.

The Spurs turned the ball over 14 times and the Rockets turned those into 22 points.

Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner led the Spurs with 17 points each. Luther Head had 21 points for the Rockets, who were playing without Tracy McGrady.

Tony Parker, making his first start since Nov. 7, played 26 minutes and recorded 15 points and seven assists. Manu Ginobili, in his fourth game of the season, had 11 points in 21 minutes.

Updating our pregame subject: Roger Mason Jr. had eight points on 4 of 7 shooting (0-1 from 3-point range). Michael Finley had five points on 2 of 5 shooting (1 of 3 from 3-point range).

FOURTH QUARTER

Houston's Aaron Brooks scored a fast-break basket to make it 96-76 with 7:03 left in the game. That is the Rockets' first 20-point lead.

The Rockets have the advantage and momentum after a 12-2 run. The Spurs call a timeout with 10:06 left and the Rockets leading 89-72.

THIRD QUARTER

The Rockets outscored the Spurs 9-2 to finish the third quarter and stretch their lead to 84-70. Matt Bonner is the Spurs' leading scorer with 17 points.

Tim Duncan scored 12 points in the first eight minutes of the second half. The Spurs are staying close but the Rockets haven't given up the lead and are up 77-68.

The Spurs opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer from Matt Bonner. Tim Duncan, who scored only two points in the first half, added two baskets as the Spurs cut the lead to two points. The Rockets responded with a fast-break basket and a 3-pointer to go up 65-58.

SECOND QUARTER

The Spurs trailed by as many as 19 points in the second quarter and the Rockets led 56-49 at halftime. The Spurs narroed the gap with a 20-8 surge late in the half.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 14 points and Matt Bonner had 12.

The Spurs are on a 7-0 run and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have combined for the Spurs' last nine points. The Rockets lead 50-38.

Parker is up to eight points, but the Rockets are still rolling and lead 48-31 in the second quarter.

The Rockets outscored the Spurs 9-3 at the beginning of the second quarter to build their lead to 19 points. The Spurs' only points during the stretch came on a 3-pointer by Matt Bonner.

Houston's Shane Battier hit two shots to start the second quarter. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who watched his players struggle on defense the first quarter, called a quick timeout.

FIRST QUARTER

The Rockets shot 62.4 percent the first quarter and Rafer Alston and Ron Artest had seven points each as they rolled to a 33-20 lead at the end of the period. The Spurs aim to hold the other team to under 20 points a quarter and under 40 percent shooting - they weren't close in either area.

The Rockets are shooting well early, hitting over 60 percent as they jump out to a 24-16 lead.

Houston's Luis Scola scored back-to-back baskets to give the Rockets an 11-6 lead. The Spurs take a timeout.

PREGAME: PARKER STARTS

Spurs starters: Tony Parker, Roger Mason Jr., Michael Finley, Tim Duncan and Fabricio Oberto.

The Spurs have all their perimeter scoring threats back heading into tonight's road game against the Houston Rockets. The return of Manu Ginobili on Monday and Tony Parker on Friday means the Spurs have the weapons they were counting on for this season.

Roger Mason Jr. and Michael Finley have been helping carry the Spurs at the offensive end, especially while Ginobili and Parker were out. Mason is averaging 15.3 points and Finley 10.7 points on the season.

Mason and Finley had a rough shooting night in Wednesday's victory over the Chicago Bulls. It was the second-straight off night for Finley. Both bounced back in Friday's victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Here's a look at how Mason and Finley shot during the Spurs' current four-game win streak:

Friday: at Spurs 109, Grizzlies 98
Mason 8-13 FG, 4-6 3PT, 20 PTS
Finley 5-9 FG, 2-4 3PT, 12 PTS

Wednesday: at Spurs 98, Bulls 88
Mason 2-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 9 PTS
Finley 2-9 FG, 0-5 3PT, 6 PTS

Monday: Spurs 94, at Grizzlies 81
Mason 6-12 FG, 5-7 3PT, 18 PTS
Finley 3-8 FG, 0-3 3PT, 7 PTS

Nov. 21: at Spurs 119, Jazz 94
Mason 10-17 FG, 7-10 3PT, 29 PTS
Finley 6-10 FG, 1-2 3PT, 14 PTS

- Joe Alexander, mySanAntonio.com

[Many PackYao]

I was so glad every time Pop took out Boner and put Obirdo back in cuz the "Red Rocket" was hittin' everything he through up.Thanks Pop!

[Roxsfan]

Come on Spurs, smash those Rockets!!

Hey i noticed that the Nuggs and Spurs play again soon, i assume i'll get to start the game thread

Your team is next tomorrow

[Kori Ellis]

I don't understand Tony's free throws. I think it was in 2006 he was over 80%. I think he's dropped since then which is why I'm so mad at him missing free throws these days.

Isn't he above 80 percent this year?

[Roxsfan]

is tmac playing?
if not, easy win for the spurs.

u were saying?

[SAtown]

u were saying?

Are you bored?

[Roxsfan]

Tonight should be an easy W. Houston is usually a team we can go out and expect to beat. With our Big Three intact and our strong supporting cast, tonight's win should be easy.

Houston just beat a team they were expected to beat, even without tmac/barry.

dumb .

[Indazone]

Luther Head..sheesh, where did he find his game. We were all calling for his head a week ago.

[pawe]

funny how these rocket fans come out of their hole and talk trash after their team gets one.

[Indazone]

yeah yeah, you had your fun last time we got beatdown in your house.