Spurs uses depth to fend off Kings

This article is cross posted at Spurs World.

Playing their fifth game in six nights, the San Antonio Spurs was supposed to be a tired team.

However, with the team’s depth, and coach Gregg Popovich able to rest some of his key players during the five-game stretch, the Spurs hold off a hard fighting Sacramento Kings squad.

Manu Ginobili scored 20 points and added five assists off the bench, and rookie Kawhi Leonard continues to impress, finishing with 19 points and nine boards on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, and the Spurs beat the Kings 117-112 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Tim Duncan added 18 points and eight rebounds, Gary Neal had 13 points, Tony Parker finished with 10 points and 10 assists and Stephen Jackson had eight points, three rebounds and one steal for San Antonio.

Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 28 points and had 10 assists for Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins added 25 points and 11 rebounds, Marcus Thornton scored 18 points, and Jason Thompson had 15 points in a losing cause.

Duncan led Spurs in easy win over Wolves, Parker injured

This article is cross-posted at Spurs World.

Tim Duncan had a double double performance as he the San Antonio Spurs in an easy 116-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With Tony Parker hurt, Gary Neal rose to the challenge and gave the Spurs a lift off the bench.

Duncan finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block shot in just 24 minutes of action playing inspired basketball with Stephen Jackson back in the fold.

However, all is not good news in San Antonio.

Tony Parker left with a left hamstring strain with 8:03 remaining in the second quarter. He spoke briefly with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich before heading to the locker room with two points and six assists.

“I think they said mild hamstring, so we won’t know much until tomorrow,” Popovich said. “Not good timing.”

Jackson, Kawhi Leonard and Gary Neal stepped up with Parker going out early. The trio scored 16 points each for the Spurs who improved their record to 30-14.

“Things are going to be difficult for a minute until we figure it out without Tony,” Jackson said. “He’s the head to our monster, but at the same time, we’re in a good position when we have Ginobili being able to play point, be able to move the ball. We just have to figure it out. Gary and Ginobili did a great job of picking up the slack.”

Spurs pounded the Knicks, Ford hurt again

This article is cross-posted at Spurs World.

Tony Parker scored 32 points and the San Antonio Spurs dealt Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks a third consecutive loss, 118-105 on Wednesday night.

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili looked like his old self against the New York Knicks.

San Antonio pounded it on the inside, outscoring the Knicks 60-38 on inside points, on their way to a 54.1 percent shooting night.

Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili added 17 points apiece in Ginobili’s second game back after missing two weeks with a strained stomach muscle.

Carmelo Anthony led New York with 27 points.

The Knicks have lost six of nine, they bear little resemblance to their Lin-inspired resurgence before the All-Star break.

Lin came out of nowhere last month and delivered the Knicks the play-making point guard they craved for, but New York’s transition has been anything but seamless since Anthony returned February 20 after missing seven games, mostly because of a groin injury.

The Knicks are 2-5 with Anthony back in the lineup.

“You have to work through. But there’s no reason why it can’t co-exist,” D’Antoni said. “There’s no reason why everybody shouldn’t do well. We just got to find the right balance of everybody getting into their spots.”

Lin scored 20 points and had four assists, while Amare Stoudemire had 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Gary Neal scored 12 points and found his way back into the starting lineup as the Spurs ease Ginobili back into playing shape.

Manu played 25 minutes, shooting 7-of-10 from the floor and added a team-high six assists.

DeJuan Blair, Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter added 10 points apiece for the Spurs.

It was a convincing win for San Antonio, which had lost two of its last three at home after returning from the winningest nine-game road trip in NBA history, when the Spurs went 8-1 and quietly climbed to the second-best record in the West.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn’t stick around to see the end, getting ejected at the end of the third quarter following a heated exchange with officials over foul calls.

A scary moment came in the second quarter when Spurs point guard T.J. Ford lay on the floor for more than three minutes.

The Spurs said the veteran point guard received a stinger after getting elbowed in his back.

Ford appeared wobbly while being helped off the court and back into the tunnel. He didn’t return to the game.

Spurs whipped Bobcats

This article is cross-posted at Spurs World.

Tony Parker scored 15 points, and the San Antonio Spurs cruised past the Charlotte Bobcats in the second half for a 102-72 victory on Friday night.

Richard Jefferson scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the Spurs victory over the Bobcats.

The Spurs (25-11) bounced back from a rare home loss earlier this week against the Chicago Bulls to win for the 13th time in their last 15 games.

The Bobcats (4-30), who were playing San Antonio for the only time this season, have lost four straight and 20 of their last 21.

Richard Jefferson scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds, while Tim Duncan had 14 points and eight boards for the Spurs.

Matt Bonner added 14 points, Kawhi Leonard had 10 and Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter chipped in nine points each off the bench.

Corey Maggette and Boris Diaw each scored 14 points for the Bobcats, who were held below 100 points for the 21st straight game.

San Antonio outrebounded Charlotte 55-37, with DeJuan Blair leading all players with 11 rebounds.

San Antonio, which was playing the second game of a seven-game homestand, never trailed after the first quarter.

The Spurs’ defense frustrated the Bobcats throughout the game, with Charlotte hitting only 31-of-83 shots. Starting guards D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson combined to shoot 5 of 21.

The Spurs led 51-41 at halftime behind Parker’s 13 points and Duncan’s 10 points and eight rebounds. San Antonio held Charlotte to 17-of-49 shooting in the half to help overcome 10 turnovers.

Charlotte started the game well and had a 16-12 lead in the opening period, but the Spurs went on a 11-0 run and led 29-20 after the first quarter.

Jefferson’s 3-pointer with 4:23 left gave the Spurs a 17-16 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish throughout the game.

The Spurs will be back in action on Sunday night when they host the Denver Nuggets.

Popovich named Coach of the Month, Manu could return on Friday

This article is cross-posted at Spurs World.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was chosen by the NBA as the Western Conference Coach of the Month after leading the Spurs to an 11-2 record in February.

Gregg Popovich was named Wests' Coach of the Month for February.

During the month, Popovich led the Spurs to an 8-1 record on their Rodeo Road Trip, tying the league record for winning percentage on a nine-game road trip.

The Spurs had an 11-game winning streak that extended into the month, despite playing without Manu Ginobili and T.J. Ford for extended periods during the month.

It marks a record 13th month when Popovich has been selected as the NBA’s Coach of the Month, and broke the previous mark he shared with Pat Riley, who won the award on 12 occasions during his career.

Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra was honored as the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February.

Meanwhile, Ginobili could be back in the Spurs lineup sooner than expected.

Popovich said that Ginobili will be a game time decision (via Spurs Nation) for Friday’s game against Charlotte as he recovers from a strained left oblique muscle.

The injury, which occurred February 18 against the Los Angeles Clippers, has caused Ginobili to miss the Spurs’ last four games after missing 22 games earlier in the season with a fractured fifth metacarpal in his left hand.

Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard missed Thursday’s short practice as he recovers from a minor strain in his right calf. He is not likely to play Friday against Charlotte, Popovich said.

Manu could be back in the lineup on Friday against the Bobcats.

“(Kawhi) got on a treadmill a little bit today,” Popovich said. “We scripted a little bit of offense, but there was no contact or anything.”

Danny Green also missed practice after banging through what he termed several formidable Chicago screens during the course of the game against the Bulls.

“His shoulder got a pretty good stinger,” Popovich said. “Nothing is dislocated, but he got a sprain and he didn’t practice today. He’s been working through the pain and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

Gary Neal had no problems playing on a sore hamstring. He scored 13 consecutive points and 15 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to lead a late San Antonio rally that came up just short in the Spurs’ 96-89 loss to the Bulls.

Popovich said that Neal reported no lingering effects of the injury on the day after the game.

“No, he felt pretty good,” Popovich said. “He didn’t feel his hamstring at all. He did a great job last night, as a matter of fact.”

Popovich reported that Tony Parker “got a little dinged” at one point in Wednesday’s game but had no ill effects and should be ready for the Bobcats.

The Spurs are not expected to re-sign forward Eric Dawson, whose 10-day contract has expired. Dawson is expected to head back to Austin to join the Toros.

Bulls hand Spurs second home loss

This article is cross-posted at Spurs World

Derrick Rose scored 29 points as the Chicago Bulls stayed on a roll by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 96-89 on Wednesday night in San Antonio.

Blair finished with 9 points and 9 rebounds, but the Spurs fall to the Bulls 96-89. (Photo via ESPN)

Rose shook off a scary-looking collision with Tony Parker early that kept him on the floor clutching his right knee for several minutes. However, the reigning MVP never left the game and the Bulls became just the second team to win in San Antonio this season.

Gary Neal led the Spurs with 21 points, DeJuan Blair started out strong and Tim Duncan carried his team in the third quarter, but San Antonio floundered late and had their homecoming spoiled after going 8-1 during a nine-game road trip.

Joakim Noah added 10 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago.

The Bulls have won 11 of 13 and surged ahead for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Duncan finished 18 points and 10 rebounds. He brought the Spurs back from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter after starting out rusty.

The 35 year-old future Hall of Famer scored 12 points in the third quarter and led San Antonio to a 66-65 advantage entering the fourth, while Parker struggled to keep pace with Rose.

Parker finished with 11 points on 5-of-16 shooting and had nine assists.

After scoring 32 points and sinking a crucial jumper with 19.4 seconds left to beat lowly New Orleans on Tuesday night, Rose delivered late again. He scored 13 points in the second half and hit a 9-foot bank shot with 1:46 left that put Chicago up 87-82.

Duncan quickly answered, but on the next possession Rose all but finished off the Spurs. This time it was a tough 18-footer over Duncan’s outstretched hand that put the Bulls up 89-84, and Luol Deng’s 3-pointer with 39.6 seconds left stretched the lead to six and sealed a winning start to Chicago’s three-game road swing.

Danny Green had 11 points for the Spurs, Blair added nine points and nine boards, while C.J. Watson scored 12 points,  and Deng finished with 10 points for Chicago.

The Spurs will try to bounce back on Friday night, when they host the Charlotte Bobcats.

Splitter, Ford might return to action, Spurs still have a lot of work to do

This article is cross-posted at Spurs World

The San Antonio Spurs have outdid themselves during the first half of the season finishing with a 24-10 record, good for second-best in the West and TNT analyst Charles Barkley picked the Spurs over the weekend to win the Western Conference.

After missing 24 games this season, T.J. Ford might be able to play Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

But it doesn’t mean the team is letting their guards down.

“I saw that,” Tony Parker said. “ But we have a lot of work to do and we need Manu Ginobili at 100 percent.

It’s like I told everybody at the All-Star break. We’re not going anywhere without Manu at 100 percent.

“Oklahoma City is a very, very good team. The Clippers are a very, very good. Dallas is good, too. We need everybody ready to go and at full strength. If not, we aren’t going to go anywhere.”

There is some good news too, the Spurs’ injury situation appears to be getting a little better (via Spurs Nation).

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said reserve point guard T.J. Ford could return to the lineup for Wednesday’s game against Chicago.

Ford has missed the last 24 games with a torn left hamstring.

“I’m feeling good. It’s still a process,” Ford said after Tuesday’s practice. “It felt good to finally practice with these guys, get out there and get a little contact. Usually I’m out there working with the coaches, one on one, so it felt good today.”

“I think he’s going to dress. He may or may not get in,” Popovich said. “I’d like to get him a few minutes if I can.”

That step would be a big boost for Ford, who signed with the Spurs as a free agent in order to boost depth at point guard.

“It will feel good to be in a uniform,” Ford said. “If it’s just me shooting some layups in layup drill I’ll take that. Little baby steps.”

But Ford said he doesn’t expected he could play for an extended period.

“Short, short,” Ford said with a chuckle. ” Not too many long stretches.”

But any break would be a boost for Parker, who has played extended minutes and leads the team with an average of 34.3 minutes per game. It’s the most that Parker has logged since his third season in the NBA.

”Yeah, it looks like he’s ready to go,” Parker said. “He practiced well this morning. Hopefully we can get everybody and be full strength.”

Rookie forward Kawhi Leonard missed practice as he recovered from tightness in both calves that he sustained in the Spurs’ most recent game Thursday night. The injury kept him out of the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend on the following day.

Popovich said that Gary Neal (hamstring) and Tiago Splitter (strained calf) will be game time decisions against the Bulls. Ginobili (strained oblique muscle) is out and Popovich hinted that Leonard likely will not play Wednesday night.

Undermanned Spurs clobbered by Blazers

This article is cross-posted at Spurs World
 
Without their Big 3, the San Antonio Spurs (23-10) lacked the size and firepower to matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers (18-16).

LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and the Blazers routed San Antonio 137-97 Tuesday night while the Spurs rested Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

Kawhi Leonard

Jamal Crawford scored 20 points, shooting 5-of-7 on three-pointers, and had eight assists for the Blazers, who led by as many as 48 points and sat all of their starters for most of the fourth quarter.

Gerald Wallace and Nicolas Batum each had 19 points in the win.

Kawhi Leonard had 24 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and one block to lead San Antonio, which snapped an 11-game winning streak overall and an eight-game streak on the road.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game that he was resting Parker and Duncan because the Spurs were playing three games in four nights.

“They’ve been going and going and going and if you don’t do it now I think you’re asking for trouble,” Popovich said.

San Antonio were also without guard Manu Ginobili and center Tiago Splitter because of  injuries. Both are expected to miss two weeks.

The Spurs were playing their annual Rodeo Road trip which keeps them away from home for an extended period while the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo takes over the AT&T Center.

The Spurs reserves got plenty of playing time and valuable experience on the hard court.

Spurs rookie guard Corey Joseph got his first NBA start and finished with 13 points and three assist in 37 minutes, while James Anderson logged in 35 minutes and scored 11 points.