Blazers at San Antonio Game Blog

[howard2]

The Oregonian
Mike Tokito
Jan 4, 2005
Link: Oregonian

Trail Blazers (10-20) at San Antonio (24-7)
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
--
Daunting task: Playing the defending NBA champion Spurs, who have the league's second-best record, is a challenge in itself, but other factors make tonight's game even tougher for the Blazers. Portland will be playing the second of back-to-back games, while San Antonio has had three days off. The Spurs have won three in a row after what for them was a slump -- a 5-3 stretch during which they did not have All-Star guard Manu Ginobili, who was out with a sprained ankle. Ginobili is back, having slowly increased his minutes until he had 20 points and eight assists in 24 minutes against Denver on Sunday.

Going back: If Blazers guard Charles Smith gets into the game, it will be his first playing time in SBC Center since he played 60 games for the Spurs during the 2001-02 season, when he started 22 games and averaged 7.4 points. "I know the organization really well; they treated me well," said Smith, whose teammates included Duncan, Bowen and then-rookie Parker. "You always look forward to going back to where you played and have fond memories."

Injury update: Spurs point guard Nick Van Exel -- who played for the Blazers last season -- sat out Saturday's game against Denver with an inflamed left elbow but is expected to play.

Series history: The Spurs have won eight of the last nine games between the teams, including four in a row at home. The Blazers lead all-time 62-58.

[howard2]

ESPN.com
Jan 4, 2005
Link: ESPN

Portland (10-21) at San Antonio (24-7) 8:30 pm EST
SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- On the way to a possible second consecutive championship, the San Antonio Spurs remain nearly impossible to beat at home.

The Spurs can win their 10th consecutive home contest Wednesday when they face the Portland Trail Blazers.

San Antonio has won 14-of-15 on its home floor this season - the lone loss came against Chicago on November 25. The Spurs are 52-4 in the regular season here dating to the start of last season.

The Spurs should be well rested after Saturday's 98-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Tim Duncan scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Manu Ginobili came off the bench to add 20.

While San Antonio has the best record in the Western Conference, Portland has the worst with 10 wins in 31 games. Only New York and Atlanta have fewer victories.

Zach Randolph scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who dropped their 14th game in 19 outings with Tuesday's 95-81 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the first contest of a three-game road trip.

Ruben Patterson added 19 points for Portland, which shot 37 percent (31-of-84) from the floor and missed all seven attempts from the arc.

The Spurs have won eight of the last nine meetings against the Trail Blazers.
================================================== ===
Today's Line
FAVORITE OPEN CUR UNDERDOG O/U
SAN ANTONIO -14 15 PORTLAND 184

[howard2]

CBS Sports Line
Jan 4, 2005
Link: SportsLine

GAME: Portland Trail Blazers (10-21) at San Antonio Spurs (24-7).
Manu Ginobili is adjusting well to coming off the bench for San Antonio.

Ginobili looks to help the defending NBA champion Spurs extend their impressive home winning streak when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.

Ginobili returned Dec. 27 after missing eight games with a sprained right foot, and has come off the bench in each of his three games back. On Saturday, he had his best game since returning, scoring 20 points and picking up a season-best eight assists in 24 minutes in San Antonio's 98-88 win at Denver.

"I try play the same all the time," said Ginobili, who is still working his way back from the injury. "I'll play hard if I play five minutes or five seconds. If I start or come off the bench. I will play hard. I will play tough and I will play aggressively. I try to get my rhythm going immediately."

Ginobili averaged 16 points per game last season. This season, the Argentinian guard is averaging 15.1 points in 21 games.

Teammate Robert Horry, who scored 10 points off the bench Saturday, said that it takes time to adjust to playing as a reserve.

"You have to get into the right mindset. It took me forever when I first started coming off the bench," Horry said. "You have to learn how to stay loose and stay warm. It was tough for me at first. You become used to it. Just like old hat after a while."

Tim Duncan added 25 points for the Spurs, who have won nine straight at home. San Antonio's only home loss this season came on Nov. 25, when it fell 106-99 to Chicago.

Tony Parker, who ranks second on the team with 19.5 points per game, managed just six against the Nuggets - the first time this season he has failed to score in double digits.

The Blazers lost their third straight Tuesday, falling 95-81 to the Dallas Mavericks. Zach Randolph had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Ruben Patterson added 19 points for Portland, which has lost 14 of 19.

Starting forward Viktor Khryapa left the game in the second quarter after he dislocated a finger on his right hand, but returned in the third quarter. He finished with just three points and two rebounds in 19 minutes.

Guard Sebastian Telfair was inactive for the 10th time this season, sitting out with a sprained right thumb. Darius Miles, the Blazers' second-leading scorer at 18.2 points per game, remained inactive with a right knee injury.

The Spurs have won eight of their last nine matchups with the Blazers.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Going back: If Blazers guard Charles Smith gets into the game, it will be his first playing time in SBC Center since he played 60 games for the Spurs during the 2001-02 season, when he started 22 games and averaged 7.4 points. "I know the organization really well; they treated me well," said Smith, whose teammates included Duncan, Bowen and then-rookie Parker. "You always look forward to going back to where you played and have fond memories."

Won't it be his first time playing at SBC? Wasn't Smith's last year with the Spurs the last year they were in the Alamodome?

[ZStomp]

Won't it be his first time playing at SBC? Wasn't Smith's last year with the Spurs the last year they were in the Alamodome?

Yea. The SBC Center Open in November 2002.

[tlongII]

The Blazers lead all-time 62-58.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know if anyone is actually watching basketball tonight, but here's the blog.

Game time 7:30pm.

[Texas Headliner]

I have a feeling Manu will go off tonight.

My boy Manu can't be stopped!

[ShoogarBear]

The Blazers lead all-time 62-58.

Does that include games after they cut the bottom out of the peach basket?

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Go Ut!!!!

[spurschick]

Is there a football game on tonight?
GO SPURS!

[ALVAREZ6]

Manu and TD better dominate, my fantasy team needs it.






GO SPURS

[spurschick]

"Manu never fills in, he justs fills it up."
Thank you FOXSW.

[bendmz]

should be a cake walk.....

[Leetonidas]

We're the only ones not watching the Rose Bowl.

[bendmz]

flipping back and forth

[bendmz]

Rasho for 2.....

[Leetonidas]

OMFG Tim Monster Dunk!

[spurschick]

Daaaaayyyyyummmm! Timmy!

[rashofan1]

go rasho go

[bendmz]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[bendmz]

Tim is getting slick.....

[bendmz]

Tim playing mighty tough.....

[bendmz]

guess most folks are watching football.....

[bendmz]

The Fin Strikes !!!!!!!!!!!!