For Spurs, welcome road leads home

[TMTTRIO]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.d97153f.html

For Spurs, welcome road leads home

Web Posted: 12/27/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

As Tim Duncan started to leave the visitors' locker room Sunday at the Palace of Auburn Hills, he looked back at a slower-moving teammate.

"Let's go, French Boy," Duncan said. "I want to get home."

Tony Parker quickly wrapped up his interview, allowing the Spurs to jet home for Christmas dinner. Unlike their previous stopovers, they get to stay a while this time.

Over the next 19 days, the Spurs play only two road games. That's a welcome change from the back-and-forth travel they've done for most of December.

"Being a little banged up, like myself and Manu (Ginobili) and all the other guys with nagging stuff, it's great to have a little time off spread out at home," Duncan said. "We'll be able to be in our gym, be able to work on our game a little bit. It will be a good time for us."

The Spurs will be able to make even better use of that time if, as expected, Ginobili returns this week.

After missing the past eight games with a sprained right foot, Ginobili played two-on-two Monday. It was the first time he has had contact in two weeks, and team officials were encouraged with the results.

Ginobili will be re-evaluated this morning to see how his foot responded. He might have to lobby coach Gregg Popovich to play tonight against Indiana, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him back Thursday against New Orleans or Saturday in Denver, provided he doesn't have any setbacks.
The Spurs (21-7) have gone 5-3 without Ginobili, though fatigue may have been as much of a factor as the absence of their All-Star guard. Only once this month have the Spurs played consecutive games at home. Of their seven road trips in December, all but one are a single game.

With their time spent shuttling between the SBC Center and the airport, the Spurs haven't had a true practice since Dec. 12. And that one didn't go so well: Ginobili sprained his foot during a drill with Bruce Bowen.

Popovich instead has used the time in between games to rest his players, though the next three weeks should provide ample time to work out. After Saturday's game against the Nuggets, the Spurs have three days off.

Duncan also has been playing on a sore right foot, and his effectiveness has fluctuated depending on how much rest he gets.

Popovich thinks the injury has contributed to the problems the Spurs have had with their weakside defense because Duncan hasn't been able to get across the lane as quickly. In seven of the Spurs' past nine games, he's blocked no more than one shot.
"Still, we don't have that edge defensively that we had for the last few years," Popovich said. "I would be scared to death if the playoffs were next week. I think we're just basically a middle-of-the-road defensive club right now."

With three losses in five games, the Spurs' record has begun to reflect their play.

"I'm concerned," Popovich said. "But I'm not frantic."

The Spurs defended well enough to beat Detroit on Sunday, but they couldn't rebound compe ively with the Pistons, a possible sign of fatigue. Popovich also thought Parker looked tired for the first time this season during last week's loss in Oklahoma City, and he hopes to trim his minutes when possible.

For now, the Spurs are looking forward to being home.

"It will be great to unpack my bags," Nazr Mohammed said, "instead of packing a new bag every couple of days."

[TDMVPDPOY]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...s.d97153f.html


With their time spent shuttling between the SBC Center and the airport, the Spurs haven't had a true practice since Dec. 12. And that one didn't go so well: Ginobili sprained his foot during a drill with Bruce Bowen.

BRUCE N BOWEN out of all n ppl

[spurschick]

The Spurs defended well enough to beat Detroit on Sunday, but they couldn't rebound compe ively with the Pistons, a possible sign of fatigue.

We beat Detroit on Sunday??!! What game was Ludden watching?

[1Parker1]

^ Good catch! I didn't even notice.

[Budkin]

We beat Detroit on Sunday??!! What game was Ludden watching?

I think he means that our defense was pretty good, enough to put us in a position to win, but that rebounding is what did us in.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

I think he means that our defense was pretty good, enough to put us in a position to win, but that rebounding is what did us in.

Exactly. From a defensive standpoint, we did what we needed to do to win. Held them under 42% field goals, forced more turnovers and got more steals. But when the other team outrebounds you by 27, then you're not likely to win.