Ludden: Triple trouble for Spurs

[timvp]

Triple trouble for Spurs
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...27b0da537.html

SEATTLE — For two days, the Spurs saw little reason to worry. This wasn't last year, they said, or even the year before last. They were more experienced. More equipped to handle a loss.

Or so they thought. If the Spurs didn't have cause to be concerned before Sunday, they do now.

Bruised, but hardly beaten, the Seattle SuperSonics rolled to a 101-89 victory at KeyArena, delivering an electric performance that delighted the sellout crowd of 17,072 and, more importantly, evened the teams' Western Conference semifinal series at two games apiece.

Ray Allen shed Bruce Bowen and his other defenders long enough to pump in 32 points. Luke Ridnour treated the Spurs as if they were the Oregon State Beavers. Tim Duncan scored 35 points in three quarters, and it still didn't matter.

For the third consecutive season, the Spurs jetted home with their best-of-seven, second-round series tied, having failed, once again, to expand on their 2-0 lead. Game 5 is Tuesday night at the SBC Center.

"It's very disappointing to be in a position to go up 3-1 going home," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, "and see such un-aggressive, sloppy, uninspired play."

While the Spurs cleaned up their problem areas from Thursday's one-point loss — they made 24 of 30 free throws, out-rebounded Seattle 40-32 and kept Jerome James from getting a single dunk — they struggled with those most basic of skills: dribbling, passing and catching. They committed 23 turnovers, one shy of their season high and three fewer than the franchise's playoff record.

With more than four minutes left in the second quarter, the Spurs already had 14 turnovers, matching their average per game in the series.

"I think we were just too much in a hurry," said Tony Parker, who committed four turnovers and missed eight of his 13 shots. "We forced it a little bit. We were just going too fast."

As a result, Seattle was finally able to rev up its own running game. The Sonics made four 3-pointers in the first half — half their total for the first three games. For the game, they shot 50 percent, the highest the Spurs have allowed in their nine playoff games.

"The energy was good all night," Allen said.

Already missing forward Vladimir Radmanovic for the remainder of the series, the Sonics also played Sunday without their second-leading scorer, Rashard Lewis. Lewis, who sprained his left big toe near the end of Game 3, tried to run on the court a couple of hours prior to tipoff but was in too much discomfort.

Antonio Daniels started in Lewis' place, which wasn't exactly good news for his former team. Daniels, who has frustrated the Spurs as much as any of the Sonics, scored 19 points on 13 shots.

Seattle's small, three-guard lineup also had other benefits: Ridnour, who had averaged only 7.7 points through the series' first three games, scored 15 in the third quarter while making all seven of his shots, more than a few of which belonged in a H-O-R-S-E game.

"That's what Luke has in him," Allen said. "It was just an All-Star coming out."

Duncan lived up to his own reputation, making 10 of 19 shots and all but three of his 17 free throws. He scored 20 points in the first half before finishing with 35 in 31 minutes. With Seattle leading 87-73 with 8:27 left, Popovich removed him from the game for good.

After Thursday's loss, James said he had no respect for the Spurs. Duncan's teammates felt fortunate their leader didn't say the same Sunday.

"From my experience, in the playoffs, even if you have one player with a hot hand, you have to give him support from someplace else," Robert Horry said. "Tonight, his supporting cast laid an egg."

Popovich tried to add some punch to his lineup by beginning the second half with Manu Ginobili starting in place of Brent Barry. With Duncan pounding Seattle inside, the Spurs erased their six-point deficit.

"We were kind of optimistic," Ginobili said, "because we started really well."

The surge, however, ended as soon Popovich put Barry in for Ginobili with 6:54 remaining. Less than 21/2 minutes later, Seattle's two-point lead had grown to nine. By the end of the quarter, the Spurs were down 16.

With Damien Wilkens adding 15 points off the bench and the Sonics' guards continuing to pepper jumpers off pick-and-rolls, the Spurs trailed by as many as 20 points.

Seattle "played like it was a playoff game, and I thought that Tim Duncan played like it was a playoff game," Popovich said. "He looked around and couldn't find anybody to help him."

[Kori Ellis]

I'd imagine the Spurs will play more of Devin and less of Barry next game. This tidbit in the Express-News notebook is probably a subtle indicator. There was no need to mention Barry and they did.

Devin Brown plays: Devin Brown received his most extensive playing time in Game 4 since the playoffs began.

He contributed five points and one rebound in 13 minutes. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich also used him in a couple of defensive situations when the game's outcome was still in doubt.

Brent Barry had two points, two rebounds and two turnovers in 22 minutes.

[whottt]

"I think we were just too much in a hurry," said Tony Parker, who committed four turnovers and missed eight of his 13 shots. "We forced it a little bit.


How dare Barry make them force up ...and why wasn't he doing it too?[/you know who]

[SPARKY]

It's not Barry's fault that no one else showed up to help him when he entered the game. [/whottt]

[whottt]

We'd have won if Barry hadn't made those 20 turnovers off the bench[/schitzo boy]

[SPARKY]

Barry would be Jordan-esque if only his teammates didn't up. [/ ]

[boutons]

Sorry, Whott, Brent is completely indefensible at this point.

Sure, everybody but Tim ed up, but Brent just ed up last night in 3rd, rather than being his usual invisible self.

One has to wonder why Pop pulled Manu so damn fast when the game was tied rather than let Manu keep doing whatever good stuff he was doing?

If a guy is producing and the game's in the balance, why pull him to play somebody who hasn't done up to that point?

[whottt]

Manu was jacking up bad shots too...he was forcing it just as much as Duncan and Parker were...

IF you notice...everyone on our team has been invisible for most of this series except for the big 3...figure it out.


Oh and boutons? Stop acting like you need a reason to ...everyone knows you don't. Time for you to just admit it.

[dn0]

barry does no good for this team at this point , let devin utilize his minutes. Barry's a veteran player and he's been given a lot of oportunities already.Shoot the ing ball or ride the pine, this is the playoffs.

[T Park]

unbelieveable.


Defending the stiff to the end.

[BigVee]

Hey, Duncan had a good game, Manu fair and Tony fair...but Beno, Barry, Horry, Nazr, Bowen, Rasho...these guys were horrible, simply horrible. If they had done anything Spurs could still have won this game. In order...Beno: still does not belong on the court in a playoff game. Barry: I have defended him all year, but he was really, really bad. Horry: he'll bounce back. Nazr: only got 15 minutes. Bowen: why anyone would pass him the ball is beyond me. Rasho: If you are going to pick up a foul anyway, why not put those guys on the floor too? What waste of 7 feet. Stick your hands up and retreat. Who the taught him that? BTW, Duncan is starting to like that move also. Okay, I feel better. Spurs in 6.