Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Nuggets Dec. 4

[timvp]

The San Antonio Spurs came into Thursday night’s game with a two-game losing streak in which the team looked totally out of sync in both contests. The Denver Nuggets entered the game fresh off of a 39-point walloping of the Toronto Raptors. With the Nuggets at home, they’d be able to make quick work of the Spurs, right? Wrong.

The Spurs played inspired basketball throughout and easily dispatched the Nuggets by a final score of 109-91. In what was very likely the best win of the season thus far for the Spurs, the second quarter was the key. With San Antonio up by one point with less than two minutes gone by in the period, the Spurs went on a 15-2 run to break the game open and never look back. Manu Ginobili and George Hill combined to score 12 of the 15 points during the run.

Although the Nuggets weren't unable to match the energy of the Spurs, they still look like a team that could make noise in the playoffs. They didn’t play well but their pieces fit much better than they did in recent years. Denver looks like a team that is very capable of winning between 55 and 58 games this season.

As for the Spurs, they have to be very happy about this win. Their cohesion offensively was impressive and the defense was solid. They still have room for improvement but hopefully this is a glimpse of what this team is capable of doing when they start clicking on all cylinders.

Tim Duncan

39 minutes, 21 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks
7-for-12 from the field, 7-for-8 at the line

Tim Duncan had a fantastic all-around game. On defense, he closed off the paint single-handedly and boxed out with ferocity. His five blocks illustrate how well he contested shots at the rim. Offensively, Duncan was equally as impressive. His post moves were crisp and he made the right pass virtually every time he touched the ball. When Duncan plays at this level, there aren’t many players in the history of the game that you’d rather have on your side.
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Manu Ginobili

30 minutes, 21 points, four rebounds, two assists
7-for-11 from the field, 4-for-7 on three-pointers, 3-for-3 at the line

Manu Ginobili played a much better game than we saw out of him in his last two outings. He played smarter and let the action come to him. Even better, he was moving well on his surgically repaired ankle – especially defensively. On the season, he’s hitting 54% of his shots from the field and a jaw dropping 65.4% on two-pointers. And even though he’s not yet 100%, he’s scoring more points per minute than he did last season. All very good signs.
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Tony Parker

36 minutes, 22 points, eight assists, seven turnovers
10-for-21 from the field, 0-for-3 on three-pointers, 2-for-2 at the line

Although his stats don’t look pretty, Tony Parker was actually quite effective. He did a good job attacking continuously on offense and the Nuggets were forced to send help his direction. When they did, Parker found the open man. Defensively, he defended Chauncey Billups very well. Parker finished the game with seven turnovers and another handful of questionable shots, but at least most of those errors were out of aggressiveness. He still needs to clean up his execution on a possession by possession basis, but this game was a step in the right direction.
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Michael Finley

14 minutes, four points, three rebounds
2-for-2 from the field

Michael Finley battled foul trouble all game but actually played decently when out on the court. He started the game off with a few embarrasingly poor defensive plays, however he eventually got into a rhythm on that end. On offense, Finley had a much better shot selection and played with more patience. In this current starting lineup, Finley has to realize he’s the fifth option and only needs to shoot when open to keep the defenses honest. For one night, at least, he played that role well.
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Matt Bonner

29 minutes, 14 points, eight rebounds, two blocks
6-for-8 from the field, 2-for-2 on three-pointers

Starting his second straight game, Matt Bonner showed exactly how he can help the team. He aggressively looked for his own shot, which spread the court for Duncan inside and created lanes for Parker and Ginobili. Defensively, he was physical in the low blocks and moved his feet quickly out on the perimeter. Bonner also did a very good job on the boards and even blocked a pair of shots. All told, this is even better than the Bonner the Spurs expected when they gave him his current contract. If he can keep playing at this level, he will hold onto the starting gig for good.
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Bruce Bowen

32 minutes, two points, seven rebounds
1-for-4 from the field, 0-for-1 on three-pointers

Bruce Bowen may no longer be a starter but he can still have a huge impact on a game. Against the Nuggets, Bowen constantly harassed Carmelo Anthony and forced him into a number of offensive fouls. His team defense was off the charts and he crashed the defensive boards. He didn’t do much offensively but that can be forgiven when he was dominant on the other end of the court.
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Roger Mason, Jr.

29 minutes, 11 points, four rebounds, two turnovers
4-for-14 from the field, 2-for-10 on three-pointers

Roger Mason, Jr. had a difficult time putting the ball in the basket, but overall I liked how he played. Mason didn’t hesitate to let it fly when he was open and forced the Nuggets to account for him at all times. Defensively, he was much better than he was in recent games – especially in transition defense. Mason is going to have to continue to figure out how to best contribute in his new sixth man role but he’s showing good signs.
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George Hill

19 minutes, 11 points, five rebounds, two assists
3-for-8 from the field, 1-for-3 on three-pointers, 4-for-4 at the line

After a game in which Pop benched him for the second half due to passive play, George Hill rebounded with a fine performance. Although he had moments of passiveness, he was a lot more aggressive on the whole. He hit back-to-back jumpers in the second quarter during that 15-2 run to help demoralize the Nuggets. Hill also boarded well and he continues to get to the free throw line. Playing as the team’s fourth guard at the moment, this type of play will keep firmly entrenched in Pop’s rotation.
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Fabricio Oberto

12 minutes, two points, four assists, three rebounds
1-for-2 from the field

Fabricio Oberto played with a higher activity level against Denver. He has struggled rebounding the ball this year but he was a factor in that category on Thursday night. He was credited with three rebounds but he also kept many other balls alive. Oberto’s passing was once again on display and although most of his stats are down on the season, his assists are way up. In fact, his assist rate is almost double his previous career best.
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Gregg Popovich


Pop’s rotation was much improved from the Pistons game. He didn’t bury Hill, he gave Bowen and Bonner more time and he didn’t overplay Finley. Although, part of the reason why Pop’s rotation was more normal than usual was the fact that Ime Udoka and Kurt Thomas stayed back in San Antonio. We’ll see if he resumes his wild rotations once he has his full roster available. The only problem with him in the Nuggets game is I believe he played the Big Three too many minutes – especially considering that the Spurs had a comfortable lead at many points in the game. Duncan and Parker playing 39 and 36 minutes is too much and playing Ginobili 30 minutes is way too much. Subtract about four minutes from each of those totals and that’d be much more reasonable. I'm not comfortable with Ginobili playing more than 25 or 26 minutes while he's working his way back.
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Offense

The offense was flowing much, much better than it flowed in the Pistons game. The biggest improvement was the chemistry amongst the Big Three. They each played well of off each other and created wide open shots for the role players. For the game, the Spurs shot 50% from the field – including 57.1% on two-pointers. They also had 27 assists and only 13 turnovers. The only two negative points were the so-so three-point shooting (9-for-26) and shooting only 18 free throw attempts.

Defense

The defense wasn’t championship level defense but it was good. The Nuggets have been scoring the ball very well lately but the Spurs gave a good effort and slowed them down. The Nuggets were shooting less than 40% at halftime, although they ended up shooting 44.3% for the game. The biggest bright spot was the rebounding, with the Spurs posting a 47-33 edge. That stat is doubly impressive once you consider that the Spurs played small ball for than a quarter of the contest.

Drive to Five

All things considered, the Spurs are in a good place with their 10-8 record. Hopefully this game was proof that the Big Three remembered how to play as one and the Spurs can start their move up the standings. On Saturday night, San Antonio hosts the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors will be a good test for the transition defense and we’ll see just how far the offensive cohesion has come.

Believe.

[tp2021]

Matt Bonner

29 minutes, 14 points, eight rebounds, two blocks
6-for-8 from the field, 2-for-2 on three-pointers

Starting his second straight game, Matt Bonner showed exactly how he can help the team. He aggressively looked for his own shot, which spread the court for Duncan inside and created lanes for Parker and Ginobili. Defensively, he was physical in the low blocks and moved his feet quickly out on the perimeter. Bonner also did a very good job on the boards and even blocked a pair of shots. All told, this is even better than the Bonner the Spurs expected when they gave him his current contract. If he can keep playing at this level, he will hold onto the starting gig for good.
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Boner for Bonner ©

[de Soto]

Excellent analysis. It is seriously starting to look like it is going to be the Spurs and the Lakers in the West once again.

[Darkwaters]

It's always nice to blow somebody out. Especially a team as hot as the Nuggets have been.

[Brazil]

So TP>CB or what ?

[Killakobe81]

Excellent analysis. It is seriously starting to look like it is going to be the Spurs and the Lakers in the West once again.

Even when it didn't seem like it early ...it always was Spurs 2nd best in West a WCF rematch is in the making ...

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Nice!

The only problem with him in the Nuggets game is I believe he played the Big Three too many minutes – especially considering that the Spurs had a comfortable lead at many points in the game. Duncan and Parker playing 39 and 36 minutes is too much and playing Ginobili 30 minutes is way too much. Subtract about four minutes from each of those totals and that’d be much more reasonable. I'm not comfortable with Ginobili playing more than 25 or 26 minutes while he's working his way back.

Normally I'd say this is absolutely true, except in this game in the second half the team really started to falter when the Big 3 were out...especially without TD on the floor. He is the Spurs only real inside presence on both ends of the court. It was open season for Denver at the rim when Pop sat Timmy toward the end of the third quarter. Using Oberto as the lone big during that run really didn't work. Hopefully KT can spell Timmy well enough to allow him a few more minutes of rest.

As for Tony and Manu, the Nuggets made their little pushes without those guys in the game. Hill started to show his rookie side a bit when Tony wasn't in the game in the second half, and Manu came in and really squashed Denver's second half runs with those timely threes of his.

I'm not sure the Spurs are going to be in a position to keep Manu in the starting lineup once crunch time gets here. His offensive tenacity keeps the second unit afloat. I saw a marked difference on the floor without the big 3 out there.

[temujin]

After the Pistons game, I wonder whether Popovich actually reads these thoughts and adjust.

I would.

We'll see if the minutes of Duncan Ginobili and Parker go down in the next game.......

[Darkwaters]

After the Pistons game, I wonder whether Popovich actually reads these thoughts and adjust.

I would.

We'll see if the minutes of Duncan Ginobili and Parker go down in the next game.......

You mean, does Pop read Timvp's comments and make adjustments using this as a sounding board? Seriously? Pop is a professional basketball coach (one of the very best). Do you think he lurks on forums for pointers?

[JamStone]

I felt Tony Parker played even better than his stats indicate as well. I felt there were at least three drives where Parker got fouled on and weren't called. And, I just can't believe he had that many turnovers looking at the box score. He was aggressive, which was great, but that many TOs is still surprising. I believe he may have been called for a charge, maybe two which inflate the TO. And, I wonder if he got a TO when Bonner threw the ball out of bounds I believe near the end of one of the quarters.

[Borosai]

Gud tings.

[xtremesteven33]

Boner 4 Bonner

[Obstructed_View]

This is the first time in a while where nobody for the Spurs had a bad game. It was nice to see.

[Obstructed_View]

blowing hot nuggets

FlyHigh07 is interested.

[Phenomanul]

They need to incorporate Mason's shots earlier in the shot clock... Also they need to mask his plays by running him through pick'n'roll's with Duncan while having Manu/Parker take backdoor cuts. Leave three available options on every such play.

If it's obvious to me when they are running plays for Mason, I'm sure it's obvious to the other team. The last three teams have locked on to Mason at the three point line and have forced him to be a spectator. When he finally does get the ball, it seems to be with very little time remaining; and hence he's not getting the open looks he once was.

[Lakers_55]

I watched the game. Spurs would have beaten any team in the league playing like they did.

[Brazil]

I watched the game. Spurs would have beaten any team in the league playing like they did.

Even the lakers ?

[Brazil]

So the big 3 playing well at 20 pts + tim reb + TP assits + manu clutch+ Hill and Mason at 20 + Ian with hopefully some reb / blocks / points and we have something that looks like NBA champion ?

[milkyway21]

Notable Stat:
Tim Duncan: five blocks

the MVP of the game. Almost all of the Spurs wins depends on TD's fierceness in contesting shots of the opponents. The last time Nene' went hot against them. Duncan didn't allow it yesterday.

22 pts from TP was good after a sub-par performance since his return(Houston/Detriot).

but obviously the one making QUALITY TIME with his minutes was Manu

30 minutes, 21 points, four rebounds, two assists
7-for-11 from the field, 4-for-7 on three-pointers, 3-for-3 at the line(other than Bonner).

if not of that last 2 min pathetic pass(), from TP he could have made 23 pts in JUST 30 min OF PLAYING TIME (1 TURNOVER; 63%FG)

I think he's 98% healthy now.

props to Pop for playing Hill.
So far, he's the best AND1 player for this team this yr.
Continue being aggressive.

[Lakers_55]

Even the lakers ?

yes. no comeback for us as before if we played you as you played last night. so, let's get the rivalry going again!

[Brazil]

yes. no comeback for us as before if we played you as you played last night. so, let's get the rivalry going again!

Now where is Allanon on the tanking stuff ?

[BlackBellamy]

yes. no comeback for us as before if we played you as you played last night. so, let's get the rivalry going again!

I don't think it ever stopped. Maybe put on hold for a few seasons to F-up the Suns until they were too terrified of us to compete, and for you guys to put some actual players around Kobe and let your young-uns mature. Don't worry Lakers fans, San Antonio will always hate your team the most. Which says something.

[Manufan909]

Manu Ginobili

30 minutes, 21 points, four rebounds, two assists
7-for-11 from the field, 4-for-7 on three-pointers, 3-for-3 at the line

Manu Ginobili played a much better game than we saw out of him in his last two outings. He played smarter and let the action come to him. Even better, he was moving well on his surgically repaired ankle – especially defensively. On the season, he’s hitting 54% of his shots from the field and a jaw dropping 65.4% on two-pointers. And even though he’s not yet 100%, he’s scoring more points per minute than he did last season. All very good signs.

I guess it was just me, but it looked like Manu still hasn't regained his ability to stop on a dime yet.

[Slippy]

Michael Finley

14 minutes, four points, three rebounds
2-for-2 from the field

Michael Finley battled foul trouble all game but actually played decently when out on the court. He started the game off with a few embarrasingly poor defensive plays, however he eventually got into a rhythm on that end. On offense, Finley had a much better shot selection and played with more patience. In this current starting lineup, Finley has to realize he’s the fifth option and only needs to shoot when open to keep the defenses honest. For one night, at least, he played that role well.
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As always thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Finley did well to not get down after Carmerlo's fast start and foul trouble. He may not of annoyed him as much as Bowen did but he was effective in getting the job done on D.


You analysis of Tony Parker was spot on. He gave the nuggets a ton of trouble attacking the rim and missed out on a few non-calls. I've come to expect better from his shot selection though. There were moments where clearly the best option was to hold back to allow your teammates to get back as options or slow it down to run the offense. Not too surprised at the TO count. Obviously, more game-time and familiarity with his teammates should help him get back to his optimum best.

[Obstructed_View]

The change in the Nuggets with Billups instead of Iverson was interesting for a number of reasons. First, they play much better defense, and despite Timmy dismantling him, I think Martin deserves some credit for that. It's sad that with the extra effort on defense by the team Carmelo seems to lose a bit of interest. Maybe that was Bowen; I certainly hope so. Also, I don't recall seeing Billups get frustrated and throw cheap shots when he was a Piston. That could go either way, as the biggest problem with Billups and the Pistons the last few years is that they never seemed to get emotional about anything unless it was complaining to the media about how they deserve more respect.