Gary Neal | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Salad days gone, Duncan finds a way to stay young

ORLANDO — Tim Duncan ordered light Tuesday night. He had a Caesar salad.

And that made you sick?

“Bad eggs, bad dressing,” Duncan sighed. “Something bad.”

So Duncan was up most of the night in his Orlando hotel room. “In and out,” he said, when it was mostly out, and he missed the team meeting Wednesday morning.

Gregg Popovich didn’t want him to play against the Magic, and Duncan’s response was to the point.

“He told me to go fish,” Popovich said.

Duncan had worked too hard during the lockout to miss nights such as these. Popovich wasn’t going to keep Duncan from Dwight Howard, nor was a Caesar salad.

And this is how the Spurs won their first road game of the season.

They won it for other reasons, and the schedule was one. The Magic were not only on the third night of three games in a row, but Howard had also put in 39 minutes the night before.

Duncan, thanks to LeBron James, played less than 27 in Miami.

Then there was Tony Parker, coming alive for a burst; a Gary Neal 3-pointer that fell, in part, because one eventually had to; and the Magic’s J.J. Redick being about a second too late in overtime.

But none of it happens if Duncan isn’t cradling the game as lovingly as he does the basketball just before the tip. He spent the summer dropping both his body fat and a few thousand jump shots, and the result was clear Wednesday.

“He was fresh,” Popovich said, when he had expected something else from a sick man. “How he pivoted, and how he started and stopped, and how he moved across the lane, all of that was special. It’s a tribute to what he has done to get ready for this season.”

Duncan isn’t on his farewell tour. Most in the organization think he will try to play two to three more seasons after this one. Parker restated that again Wednesday.

But Duncan is also at a place where he takes nothing for granted. Add Howard to the equation, and a chance for Duncan to test himself yet again, and the night was mandatory.

Asked if he got amped up for Howard, Duncan nodded. “If you don’t,” Duncan said, “you will get destroyed.”

The numbers told of that. While Parker said Duncan “was unbelievable on Dwight,” imagine what Howard would have done without Duncan being unbelievable. Howard finished with 24 points and 25 rebounds.

Still, Howard didn’t score in the fourth quarter. And from the opening play to Redick’s too-late heave, Duncan pitted his knowledge and professionalism against Howard’s freakish physical ability.

They are opposites, both in age and emotions. While Duncan handled his own free agency years ago by privately assessing his options (coincidentally, Orlando was one of his options), Howard has turned his into a show.

Their differences were on the court Wednesday, too. Duncan remained typically stoic, and Howard went from playfully smiling to frustrated. Late in the third quarter, bothered by Duncan and the refs, Howard plowed into Duncan for an offensive foul.

They would trade hips and elbows the rest of the way. And shortly after Popovich ran a play in which Danny Green set up Duncan in the final seconds of regulation, Orlando had 0.3 seconds left on the clock.

Thinking about a lob?

“Yes,” Duncan with a tone that suggested he remembered everything.

In February of 2007 in Orlando, Howard went up over Duncan to take an inbounds pass at the buzzer to dunk and beat the Spurs.

“I told Dwight tonight,” Duncan said with a smile, “that’s not happening again.”

So they went to overtime, contrasts to the end. Duncan tossed in a jumper for the lead, with Popovich leaning with body language on the sideline. Howard followed with a roaring dunk after an offensive rebound.

Popovich called time to draw up Neal’s 3. As Duncan disgustingly went to the bench, a fan yelled what he’s been hearing for a while. “You’re OLD!”

But not too old, not after last summer. Not this night.

bharvey@express-news.net

– Associated Press photos

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Spurs 85, Magic 83 (OT): Jan. 18, 2012

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan loses his grip on the ball as he is fouled by Orlando Magic’s Von Wafer (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy directs his layers during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. San Antonio won in overtime, 85-83.(AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard (12) goes after a rebound in front of San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. San Antonio won in overtime, 85-83. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

Orlando Magic’s J.J. Redick walks off the court after the Magic’s 85-83 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. Redick made a 3-point shot after the final buzzer. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

Orlando Magic’s Ryan Anderson, right, makes a shot past San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter, of Brazil, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. San Antonio won in overtime, 85-83.(AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, makes a shot over Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. San Antonio won in overtime, 85-83. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

After sinking a 3-point shot in the closing seconds of overtime, San Antonio Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) gets a high-five from teammate Tony Parker (9), of France, in an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. San Antonio won 85-83. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Richard Jefferson (24) pump-fakes and is fouled by Orlando Magic’s Quentin Richardson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard, center, fights for a rebound with San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, left, and DeJuan Blair (45) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) grabs a pass while being guarded by San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich yells to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, passes the ball around Orlando Magic’s Ryan Anderson (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22), of Brazil, spins away from Orlando Magic’s Glen Davis (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (AP)

Game rewind: Pop seething about ‘soft’ second-half effort

It was a tale of two halves Tuesday night for the Spurs.

The first part of their game Tuesday against Miami might have been their best performance of the young season. They led by 17 points late in the second quarter and had a 14-point halftime lead after Danny Green’s 3-pointer at the buzzer.

After that, the bottom fell out as the Spurs struggled through one of their worst halves in team history. They were outscored by 27 in the third quarter as Miami cruised to an easy 120-98 victory.

The final margin actually looked a little more appealing after Miami led by up to 26 late in the game. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan rested during the fourth quarter and most of the other San Antonio starters were missing in garbage time.

It’s hard to believe a team could play so well in the first half and so awful in the same game. It was one of the most amazing collapses in recent NBA history.

Here’s a look at how it happened.

Game analysis: Even with Dwyane Wade out of the lineup, the Spurs had no answer for remaining Heatles LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Toss in a sizzling first-game perimeter shooting performance by Mike Miller and it was understandable why the game got out of hand in the fourth quarter.

Where the game was won: The Heat blew the game open with a 25-1 run in the middle of the third quarter punctuated by a 3-pointer by James, another by Mario Chalmers and another from James that put them ahead 78-68 with 3:28 left in the third quarter.

A little earlier … The Spurs hit 12 of their first 15 shots and led by 17 points with 3 minutes remaining in the first half. They even left with a surge of momentum when Green hit a buzzer beater from beyond midcourt that gave them a 63-49 halftime lead.

Player of the game I: It took awhile for James to get going, but he once he got started, the Spurs couldn’t stop him. James erupted for 33 points, including 17 in the third quarter. James also added 10 assists, five rebounds, hit four 3-pointers and was a team-best plus-19 to help Miami end a three-game losing streak.

Player of the game II: Bosh was a force all over the court, notching 30 points, a game-high eight rebounds, five assists and four steals in a strong all-around performance.

Player of the game III: Green was the Spurs’ major offensive force with a team-best 20 points, including 11 in the second half. He hit a career-best six 3-pointers, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

Most unsung: Miller was expected to play a few minutes in his first game back after missing the Heat’s first 12 games recovering from sports hernia surgery. When he was inserted into the game, he hit all six 3-pointers to account for 18 points in 15 minutes.

Did you notice: James personally outscored the Spurs in the third quarter, 17-12.

Did you notice II: The Spurs got into early foul trouble in the first quarter when they were whistled for nine fouls before Miami picked up its first one. By then, Tiago Splitter was benched with three fouls in 73 seconds and two more for Duncan and DeJuan Blair before the first quarter ended.

Stat of the game: Miami outscored San Antonio 39-12 in the third quarter. It matched the second-largest differential for any quarter in Heat history, and matched the second-worst differential for a period in Spurs history, according to STATS LLC.

Stat of the game II: The Spurs’ road losing streak was extended to five games to start the season.

Stat of the game III: Miami hit 6 of 8 from 3-point territory in the third quarter and finished with a season-best 16 3-pointers.

Weird stat of the game: The Spurs’ 17-point second-quarter advantage is the largest lead they’ve squandered this season in a game they eventually lost.

Quote of the game: “They just outphysicaled us and beat our — in the second half. We should be embarrassed by that, playing that soft,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on his team’s second-half collapse.

How the schedule stacks up: The Spurs travel to Orlando in the back end of a difficult back-to-back Wednesday night. They have lost their last three games there by an average margin of 20 points a game. After a day off, they will return home Friday to meet Sacramento before traveling to Houston on Saturday. The Heat will host the Lakers Thursday night before a home back-to-back against Philadelphia Saturday and Milwaukee on Sunday.

Injuries: Manu Ginobili missed his ninth game after undergoing surgery for a fractured fifth left metacarpal. T.J. Ford missed his fourth game with a torn left hamstring sustained last week in Milwaukee. Gary Neal returned to the lineup despite a contusion of the right quadriceps. Miami played without Wade (sprained ankle) and center Dexter Pittman (flu-like symptoms). Miller returned to the lineup for the first time this season after missing all of the previous Heat games after recovering from sports hernia surgery.

Spurs intend to hurdle roadblock

MIAMI — Maybe it’s just the jet lag. Maybe it’s a touch of homesickness.

Maybe the mattresses at their luxury hotels have suddenly become too lumpy. Maybe the seats on their charter plane have become too cramped.

Or maybe, as Tim Duncan suggests, there really is no good explanation for the Spurs’ newfound fear of travel.

The fact of the matter is this: The Spurs are 9-0 at the ATT Center this season, 0-4 when they leave Bexar County.

“There’s no rhyme or reason to why we’re winning one place and not the other,” Duncan said. “We just have to play better on the road.”

Having already perfected the art of winning at home, the Spurs figure tonight in Miami is as good a time as any to take their winning act on the road.

The Spurs have not won a road game of any sort — postseason, regular season or preseason — since posting a 97-90 victory at Atlanta last April 5.

This season, they’ve been routed in Houston, Minnesota and Oklahoma City and dropped a three-point game in Milwaukee.

“In a situation like this, home games become even more important, and road games are even tougher to get,” forward Richard Jefferson said. “You have to play better on the road than you do at home.”

On the surface, the back-to-back that begins tonight in Miami and continues Wednesday at Orlando is not the most desirable place to stage a road revival.

The All-Star laden Heat, defending Eastern Conference champions, beat the Spurs by 30 at AmericanAirlines Arena last season (a week after — go figure — losing by 30 in San Antonio).

Meanwhile, the Magic have become a perennial Spurs roadblock, winning the past three meetings in Orlando by a combined 52 points.

Considering NBA schedule-makers will not allow the Spurs to play only in San Antonio, they’d better figure out how to win an away game if they plan on finishing the season better than .500.

For starters, center DeJuan Blair said, “we’ve got to bring more intensity on the road.”

The Spurs could get a bit of a break tonight, with Miami All-Star guard Dwyane Wade expected to miss the game with an ankle injury. Still, LeBron James — Wade’s All-Star backcourt mate — picked up the slack to the tune of 32.5 points, 11 assists and 7.5 rebounds in a pair of games flying solo the week before last.

Wade’s status might not matter if the Spurs can’t find a way to suspend their road-home Jekyll-and-Hyde routine. The sample size is small, but so far the Spurs have been a different team outside San Antonio city limits.

They are averaging 103.4 points at home, 95 on the road. They are allowing 106.3 points on the road and 90.3 at home.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is succinct in diagnosing the difference.

“We suck on the road,” he said. “We’re really good at home.”

This is a relatively novel phenomenon for the Spurs, who have traditionally been one of the NBA’s saltiest away teams. Last season, the Spurs won their first eight road games en route to a 25-16 road record.

The best explanation anyone can offer for the Spurs’ recently discovered ability to impersonate a treadmarked armadillo: an increased reliance on younger players.

Popovich starts a 22-year-old at center (Blair) and a 20-year-old rookie at guard (Kawhi Leonard). His bench includes third-year swingman Danny Green, a pair of second-year players in center Tiago Splitter and guard Gary Neal and another 20-year-old rookie in point guard Cory Joseph.

Winning on the road, Popovich said, is a learned skill younger players take time to master.

“There are always a couple moments in a road game where it can be a five- or six-point game, and all of a sudden it’s eight or 10,” Popovich said. “You sort of lose your mojo.”

Duncan figures it is past time for the Spurs to find it in someone else’s gym.

“We’ve protected our home court,” Duncan said. “Now it’s time to get one on the road.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net