Gary Neal | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Ginobili’s return is a cruise

By Jeff McDonald

NEWARK, N.J. — Gregg Popovich worried about Manu Ginobili, because this is what Popovich does.

Specifically on Saturday, the Spurs coach was worried that Ginobili, back on the floor after a 22-game absence with a broken left hand, might spontaneously combust.

“It will be fun to see him, but there’s no telling what might go on,” Popovich said before what became an easy-does-it 103-89 victory over New Jersey. “He hasn’t played in so long. He might burst the first time he touches the ball.”

Ginobili didn’t explode. But late in the second quarter at the Prudential Center, he showed why Popovich might prefer to encase his star guard in bubble wrap until May.

Closing out hard on the Nets’ Anthony Morrow on a corner 3-pointer at the halftime horn, Ginobili went hurtling into the first row of seats.

Morrow missed, but Ginobili was so upset with himself for misreading the play, he whacked himself in the head with his surgically repaired hand.

Gary Neal scored 18 points to lead a list of six players in double figures for the Spurs, who built a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter and cruised to their seventh consecutive victory and third in a row to open the rodeo trip.

The best news the Spurs (19-9) received Saturday, however: The fifth metacarpal in Ginobili’s left hand is again strong enough to survive being attached to him.

“I felt good,” Ginobili reported after logging 17 minutes off the bench in his first action since Jan. 2. “I wasn’t going to do too many things, first because I can’t. I’m not ready. I need to slowly start getting back into basketball shape.”

Ginobili made his return at the 7:06 mark of the first quarter. Moments later, he logged his first points in 39 days when he scooped up a loose ball and scrambled the length of the floor for a layup.

The 34-year-old guard finished with eight points on 4-of-7 shooting and four assists, most of them working the pick-and-roll with DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter. He missed both his 3-point tries.

“The legs for the threes aren’t going to be there yet, but he got a good start,” Popovich said. “Scored a little bit, got a few assists, got a good rhythm. I thought he drove it pretty well, passed it pretty well. It was good to see.”

To Ginobili’s teammates, who went 15-7 without him, just getting the Argentine playmaker on the floor Saturday was cause enough for optimism.

“Just seeing him in uniform was great,” said point guard Tony Parker, who had 10 of his 12 points in the first half.

Even in the funky red, white and blue Dallas Chaparrals uniforms the Spurs donned Saturday as part of a salute to the ABA.

In truth, Ginobili was worried Saturday, too. Not for his own safety, but for what his return might do to his team’s winning streak.

New Jersey looked like a trap game to him, and he didn’t want to be the reason the Spurs fell for it. He needn’t have been concerned.

A balanced scoring attack combined with another sturdy defensive night helped the Spurs put New Jersey (8-21) away early, despite 27 points and eight assists from Deron Williams.

Spurs forward Tim Duncan had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double, while Blair (11), Danny Green (10) and Splitter (10) also scored in double-digits.

In the end, the night was about a reserve guard whose numbers were statistically inconsequential to Saturday’s win, but whose mere presence gave the Spurs reason for hope.

Ginobili returned to the Spurs a bit more bionic than before. He has six screws in his shooting hand now, an addition someone joked might cause him problems at airport metal detectors.

“So far, so good,” Ginobili said.

One game into Ginobili’s comeback, the Spurs will take it.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Associated Press photos

1 of 14 | Share

Spurs 103, Nets 89: Feb. 11, 2012

New Jersey Nets’ Kris Humphries (43) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair (45) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, reaches for a loose ball in front of New Jersey Nets’ Sundiata Gaines (1) during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

New Jersey Nets’ MarShon Brooks (9) shoots a layup against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) makes a layup against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

New Jersey Nets’ MarShon Brooks (9) shoots between San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair, left, and Kawhi Leonard (2) during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

New Jersey Nets’ Sundiata Gaines (1) loses control of the ball under pressure from San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and DeJuan Blair (45) during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks with official Marat Kobut in the first half against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

New Jersey Nets’ Kris Humphries (43) fights for a rebound with San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22), of Brazil, and Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

New Jersey Nets’ Sundiata Gaines (1) shoots as San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22), of Brazil, defends during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, shoots against New Jersey Nets’ Shawne Williams (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) pulls down a rebound against the New Jersey Nets during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22), of Brazil, loses the ball as New Jersey Nets’ Kris Humphries (43) defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

New Jersey Nets’ Shelden Williams (33) fights for the ball with San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20), of Argentina, in the second half during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, collides with New Jersey Nets’ Jordan Farmar (2) as he drives to the basket in the second half during an NBA basketball game in Newark, N.J., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The Spurs won 103-89. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz) (AP)

Game rewind: Why TP finally heard the cheers

Tony Parker has never really been embraced by Spurs Nation like he probably should have been.

Sure, you see No. 9 jerseys around town, but Parker has never received the adulation of teammates Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan over the years. Ginobili’s fan-friendly style of play and Duncan’s laser-like game focus (and four championship rings) have led them to be the faces of the Spurs’ dynasty among many fans.

Some of it might have started with Parker’s introduction. Parker came to the Spurs as a raw 19-year-old who earned a starting job by the fifth game of his rookie season. He was only replacing Avery Johnson, one of the franchise’s most historically popular players.

Parker was a part of three championship teams and earned the MVP of the 2007 Finals. He married and then divorced a television star. He brought a flash of international sizzle to a franchise that never really received much national publicity.

But some fans never really gravitated to that. And when he made some comments about the team’s future last summer — that he later backed away from — it caught the umbrage of Spurs Nation.

Ginobili’s recent injury and the gradual erosion of Duncan’s game have provided Parker with a chance to blossom in the starring role over the last several weeks. He’s played more minutes and been the team’s offensive focal point in a role that became more difficult with backup T.J. Ford’s injury.

In a compressed season caused by the lockout, Parker has never played better on a consistent basis. He’s averaging 18 points and a career-high 7.6 assists. His minutes played are more than three per game more than any of his teammates.

His game Saturday night was his most impressive as the season. Taking advantage of Gregg Popovich’s confidence to shoot more, Parker torched Oklahoma City for 42 points on 29 shots. And for good measure, he contributed nine assists with no turnovers.

His pass to Duncan with 4:56 left in the third quarter broke the franchise’s assist record. It prompted a quick 20-second time out from the Spurs that gave Parker a chance to bask in the adulation of San Antonio fans as the ATT Center’s spotlights shone on him before he returned back to the court.

At the end of his career, Parker deserves to have his jersey lifted to the rafters of the facility. And before then, more cheers like Saturday night and maybe even a berth in the All-Star game later this month in Orlando are richly earned.

Here’s a look at how Parker’s big game helped spark the Spurs to one of their more impressive victories of the season.

Game analysis: Parker’s vintage game as a scorer and penetrator and the Spurs’ blistering perimeter game gave them the chance to convincingly beat the NBA team with the league’s best won-loss record and the best road record.

Where the game was won: After Oklahoma City jumped to a quick 11-4 lead, the Spurs hit them with a 17-4 run that boosted them back in the lead for good. Parker started it with a floater and a jumper and Kawhi Leonard contributed eight straight San Antonio points, including a pair of 3-pointers that enabled them to take control.

Closing it out: Daequan Cook’s 3-pointer capped a 14-3 Oklahoma City run that pulled them within 93-84 with 8:27 left in the game. Parker responded with a pair of baskets and Duncan added a layup on a 6-0 response and the Spurs’ margin never dipped below double digits during the rest of the game.

Player of the game I: Parker was at his best with 42 points and nine assists. After struggling against Oklahoma City in his first meeting with the Thunder on Jan. 8, Parker was anxious to have a big game and even more determined to tell the Thunder what they were about to experience.

Player of the game II: After some early struggles on Kevin Durant, Leonard did a much better job against the NBA’s scoring leader as the game progressed. Durant got 22 points, but only 11 came after the first quarter. And Leonard put some offensive pressure on the Thunder by going for 15 points, six rebounds and five assists during one of his best all-around games of the season.

Player of the game III: Duncan overcame a struggling shooting game where he hit only 5 of 16 from the field for 13 points. But he was tough inside, outplaying Kendrick Perkins, who was shut out in 21 minutes. Duncan also produced 15 rebounds — the most by a Spurs player this season.

Most unsung: Matt Bonner came off the bench to continue to Spurs’ perimeter blitz. He came up with nine points on three 3-pointers as one of the Spurs’ most effective shooters.

Did you notice I: It’s hard to remember a Spur having a more disastrous back-to-back defensive possesions as Danny Green endured early in the fourth quarter. His goaltending on a James Harden shot that wasn’t close to the basket led to an easy basket. And on the ensuing Oklahoma City possession, Green committed a bad foul when he nicked Harden in 3-point territory on a shot that wasn’t close to the rim. Those plays enabled Oklahoma City to climb back in the game. I’m sure Green will be hearing about them during the Spurs’ next film session.

Did you notice II: After hitting his first two free throws of the game, Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka clanked his final five of the game. Those struggles underscored Oklahoma City’s uncharacteristic difficulties from the line. The Thunder hit 60.7 percent from the line — their lowest game percentage since hitting 50 percent against Utah on Dec. 31, 2009.

Stat of the game: Parker torched Oklahoma City for 42 points. It was tied for the second-highest scoring total in the history of the ATT Center.

Stat of the game II: The Spurs went 12 for 23 from 3-point territory — the fifth time they have hit at least 50 percent this season. Their record in those games is 4-1.

Stat of the game III: Oklahoma City was limited to 96 points, marking the fourth straight game the Spurs have limited opponents to less than 100 points. The Spurs have limited six of their seven last opponents to less than 100 points with Dallas’ 101-100 overtime victory on Jan. 29 being the only game that broke that streak.

Stat of the game IV: Oklahoma City came into the game as the third most productive offense in the NBA, averaging 100.1 points per game. They were limited to 96 points, marking the sixth time this season they have been limited to 96 points or less.

Stat of the game V: Tiago Splitter endured a 1-for-5 shooting effort, marking one of his two worst shooting games of the season. The only one lower was a 1-for-6 game against Golden State on Jan. 4.

Weird stat of the game: The Spurs were pounded in the paint as Oklahoma City had a 46-30 scoring edge. The minus-16 differential was the third highest by a Spurs’ opponent this season. But in those three games, the Spurs are 2-1. They won against Dallas on Jan. 5 (minus-20) and lost Jan. 27 against Minnesota (minus-24).

Not a good sign: Gary Neal has been struggling in a recent slump after scoring 15 points Wednesday night against Houston. Since then, Neal has hit 4 of 17 (23.5 percent) from the field and 2 of 9 (22.2 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc. For the season, Neal is hitting 39.5 of his field goal attempts and 35.3 of his 3-pointers. In his rookie season last year, Neal hit 45.1 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from 3-point range.

Best plus/minus scores: Duncan was plus-24, Parker was plus-20 and Richard Jefferson and Leonard were plus-15

Worst plus/minus scores: Neal was minus-13, Splitter was minus-9 and Cory Joseph and James Anderson were minus-4.

Quote of the game: ”It was a big game for us and I got a little excited. After 11 years, you find stuff to get excited about as tonight was a good game to be in attack mode,” Parker on his on-court animation against Russell Westbrook and the Thunder during the game.

How the schedule stacks up: The Spurs will start their nine-game Rodeo Road Trip with games Monday at Memphis, Wednesday at Philadelphia and Saturday at New Jersey. Oklahoma City has four games left on a five-game road trip with games Wednesday at Portland, Thursday at Golden State, Saturday at Sacramento and Feb. 10 at Utah.

Injuries: Ginobili missed his 20th game (Spurs record 13-7) after undergoing surgery for a fractured fifth left metacarpal. Ford missed his 15th game (Spurs record 10-5) with a torn left hamstring. Oklahoma City played without starting guard Thabo Sefolosha (right foot soreness). Backup point guard Eric Maynor is expected to miss most of the season with a torn right ACL.

Game rewind: These aren’t the same ol’ T-Wolves are they?

Remember the days when the Minnesota Timberwolves were a frolic in the park for the Spurs?

The Spurs came into the season with a 16-game winning streak over the once-moribund Timberwolves. David Robinson and Tony Parker took turns in setting the Target Center’s scoring record. Minnesota seemed to quake at the very mention of Silver and Black in previous seasons.

The arrival of veteran coach Rick Adelman and mercurial rookie point guard Ricky Rubio seems to have changed all that. Minnesota notched another impressive victory Friday with an 87-79 triumph over the Spurs — the second in the first 32 days of the season after they had not beaten San Antonio for a period of 1,725 days.

It’s Minnesota’s ninth victory of the season. The Timberwolves have beaten Dallas twice, San Antonio twice and notched a road victory at the Los Angeles Clippers in their highlights so far this season.

Considering that the franchise had averaged 16 victories in their last two seasons and had lost at least 50 games in each of their last five years, it’s a big step of progress.

If you don’t believe it, just ask Gregg Popovich and the Spurs how far the Timberwolves have come.

Game analysis: The Timberwolves mashed the ball inside and came up with a strong defensive effort down the stretch to continue the Spurs’ road woes, limiting the Spurs to one field goal over the final seven minutes.

Where the game was won: After Gary Neal drilled a 3-pointer that gave the Spurs a 79-77 with 3:33 left, the Spurs would not score again as Minnesota put the game away with a 10-0 run. The Spurs missed their final seven shots as Rubio tied the game with two foul shots, but Minnesota ahead with a pullup jumper and then hit Kevin Love for a layup that helped ice the victory.

Bring on the bench: The Spurs’ bench had a second straight strong game, outscoring Minnesota’s bench 38-27. Matt Bonner (13 points, three 3-pointers) and Tiago Splitter (12 points, seven rebounds, three assists) were instrumental in providing big efforts again Friday night.

Player of the game I: Rubio is showing some strong development as he orchestrates Minnesota’s defense. He matched his career high with 18 points and added 10 assists — his eighth double-double this season and third in his last four games. And after hitting only 6 of 26 shots in his last two games, he rebounded to produce 7 of 12 from the field against the Spurs, including nine points in the fourth quarter.

Player of the game II:Love started slowly as he scored only six points on 1-for-5 shooting in the first half. But he bounced back to become a force in the second half and finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds.

Player of the game III: Parker led the Spurs with 20 points, three rebounds and three assists. It marked his ninth 20-point game this season and eighth game with at least 20 points since Manu Ginobili was injured.

Most unsung: The Spurs had no answer for massive 290-pound Nikola Pekovic, who started in place of Darko Milicic. Pekovic clogged up the middle as he scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds.

Did you notice: After starting the game with 10 points in the first quarter, Richard Jefferson failed to score during the rest of the game.

Did you notice II: Of San Antonio’s final missed seven shots, five different players accounted for the misses.

Did you notice III: A game after piling up a season-high 29 assists against Atlanta, the Spurs produced only 17 against the Timberwolves. It was their lowest total since their loss at Houston on Dec. 29.

Stat of the game: The Spurs were limited to 79 points in the loss — lowest total since a 77-71 loss at Philadelphia last Feb. 11.

Stat of the game II : After entering the fourth quarter tied at 64, the Spurs proceded to shoot 27.8 percent from the field in the fourth quarter. It was their lowest in a fourth quarter this season.

Stat of the game III: Thanks to strong performances from Love and Pekovic, the Timberwolves had a 50-26 edge in points in the paint and an 8-4 edge in second-chance points. The minus-24 differential in the paint was the largest single-game deficit of the season for the Spurs.

Weird stat of the game: The Spurs grabbed only two offensive rebounds in the game. It ranks as one of their three lowest single-game offensive rebounding games since 1985-86. It was their fewest offensive rebounds in a game since grabbing no offensive rebounds in a victory over Utah on Jan. 23, 2002.

Weird stat of the game II: The Spurs blocked eight shots, compared to one by Minnesota. In the previous three games, the Spurs blocked six shots and had 24 shots rejected.

Best plus/minus scores: DeJuan Blair was plus-3, Bonner was plus-2 and Parker was plus-1.

Worst plus/minus scores: Splitter was minus-16, Jefferson was minus-10 and Cory Joseph was minus-9.

Quote of the game: “This city is ready to explode. You can feel it,” Love, to the Associated Press about the excitement about surrounding the Timberwolves.

How the schedule stacks up: The Spurs have the day off before traveling to Dallas on Sunday and Monday in Memphis. Minnesota hosts the Lakers on Sunday and will travel to Houston on Monday.

Injuries: Ginobili missed his 15th game (Spurs record 9-6) after undergoing surgery for a fractured fifth left metacarpal. T.J. Ford missed his 10th game (Spurs record 6-4) with a torn left hamstring. Minnesota starting center Milicic missed the game with flu-like symptoms. Guard J.J. Barea (sprained left ankle), guard Malcolm Lee (knee surgery) and Brad Miller (microfracture knee surgery) all missed Friday’s game.