Green Posts new Franchise Record

The defending champion San Antonio Spurs, have been quietly taking care of business this year and, as the team always does, they have not cared to concern themselves with what every other team in the league was doing.  Pundits, as they always do, counted them out again as a step slower, a year older and not able to sustain the high play they showed in the 2014 NBA Playoffs.  Yet, the Spurs now find themselves in second place in the Western Conference with one final game against the New Orleans Pelicans left to play.

“We are just going to play the games,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Wherever we end up, that’s what we’ll do. We can only control our game.”

In taking out the Phoenix Suns 107-91 yesterday afternoon, SG Danny Green set a new franchise record for made three pointers in a season once held by “The Rifleman” Chuck Pearson with 190.  Green ended the game with 191 made three’s.

“Both unbelievably great shooters in their time,” Forward Tim Duncan said. “Danny is really coming into his own now. He is comfortable in his role and what he has to do and what he is allowed to do.”

The Spurs have one final game, on the road, against the New Orleans Pelicans.  Plenty of great seats and affordable tickets are astill available so be sure to get yours today!!

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Spurs take Hornets in Season Opener 99-95

Duncan leads team to victory

Time seems to have again stopped for the ageless PF from San Antonio.  Tim Duncan experienced another great season opener scoring 24 points on 10-15 shooting from the field.  He also raked in 11 rebounds and dished three assists while shooting 4-5 from the free throw line.

“Their (the Hornets) youth and athleticism made it difficult for us,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “It’s a great group of guys, and it’s going to be a fun team to watch. If Timmy doesn’t do what he does, that’s a loss for us.”

Tony Parker chipped in 23 points and Kawhi Leonard (who had a spectacular 3rd quarter) added 19 points and was a perfect 4-4 from the line.

The Spurs take on the Oklahoma City Hornets in their home opener tonight at the AT&T Center. Be sure to get your tickets and welcome the Spurs to the 2012/13 NBA Season.

Kings put blemish on Spurs’ home record

By Jeff McDonald

For the second game in a row, the Spurs found themselves needing a must-have basket late in the fourth quarter, and for the second game in a row, coach Gregg Popovich called timeout to set something up.

For the second game in a row, Popovich put the ball in Danny Green’s hands and, for the second game in a row, asked him to be Manu Ginobili and create a play with Tim Duncan.

Unlike in Orlando, where Green found Duncan for the tying layup, this time Green lofted a floater over the Sacramento defense.

When the ball fell short of everything Friday, sealing an 88-86 loss to the Kings that was the Spurs’ first at the ATT Center this season, it felt like the opposite of déjà vu.

“Pop trusted me again,” Green said. “I hope I get another chance another time.”

Right up until the final horn, it felt as if the Spurs had never left Orlando. Against the Magic on Wednesday, they didn’t shoot well and turned the ball over at inopportune times, but still emerged with their first road win, 85-83 in overtime.

Against the Kings, the Spurs didn’t shoot well, turned the ball over at inopportune times and lost.

Tyreke Evans scored 23 points — including the game-winning jumper with 47.2 seconds to go — to go with 11 rebounds and seven assists as the Kings snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Spurs.

Sacramento had lost nine in a row at the ATT Center, a streak dating to April 6, 2006.

“It’s probably the biggest win of the year for us,” said Kings guard John Salmons, who made two of his three field goals in the final 2:12.

Tony Parker scored 24 points and Duncan added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double despite playing only 5.5 seconds of the fourth quarter for the Spurs, who started 9-0 at home before Friday’s loss.

Just as the Spurs knew they weren’t going to go 0-33 on the road, even after an 0-5 start, they also knew they were unlikely to go 33-0 at home.

“It was just one of those ugly games we couldn’t pull out,” guard Gary Neal said. “Orlando was the same way. We just happened to pull that one out.”

The Spurs (10-6) opened the game as if still stuck in Orlando, missing 11 of 19 shots and giving away four turnovers and six offensive rebounds in the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, Sacramento pushed its lead to 15.

The Kings (6-10) still led 73-67 heading into the fourth. The Spurs did not take their first lead until Tiago Splitter spun past DeMarcus Cousins for the last of his 10 points to make it 74-73 with 9:52 left.

“We dug ourselves a hole, not rebounding well, not getting back on ‘D,’?” said Popovich, whose team looks for road win No. 2 tonight in Houston.

The Spurs followed a 2-for-17 3-point effort in Orlando by starting 2 for 19 Friday, finally breaking through with a 3-for-7 fourth quarter.

The misses weren’t limited to beyond the arc. Green and Neal combined to shoot 7 of 23. Parker was 8 of 18. Richard Jefferson went 2 for 8.

“We couldn’t hit a shot,” said Parker, whose team endured its worst shooting night at home this season (37.8 percent). “It’s tough to win shooting 38 percent.”

When Matt Bonner hit his lone 3-pointer of the game and Parker followed with his first three of the season, the Spurs had an 82-78 lead with 4:57 to go.

Then, momentum swung again. Salmons hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the game with 1:23 to go. Evans followed with the go-ahead basket.

The Kings managed more points in those crucial 85 seconds than they’d scored in the previous 8:48.

That set the stage for Green’s shot at some Orlando déjà vu. Except with just 5.5 seconds to complete the play, Green wasn’t sure he could shuttle the ball to Duncan.

“My last couple shots had been high and long, so I tried to shoot it high and soft,” Green said. “I just didn’t get a good grip.”

Two nights after an ugly first road win, the Spurs had returned for an ugly first home loss.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Tom Reel/Express-News

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Kings 88, Spurs 86: Jan. 20, 2012


Tony Parker emphasizes contact from Jimmer Fredette in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan leans back to get a shot off against J.J. Hickson in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


SPORTS Tiago Splitter reverses under the hoop to score against DeMarcus Cousins as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


DeJuan Blair goes to the board with a shot against Jason Thompson as the Spurs lose to Sacramento 88-86 at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Gary Neal turns the corner on J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Gary Neal turns the corner on J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tiago Splitter gets fouled by DeMarcus Cousins in the second half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Richard Jefferson pumps a three pointer as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Matt Bonner hooks in a shot against DeMarcus Cousins as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker is pressured under the basket by Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker cradles the ball in the lane against J.J. Hickson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


SPORTS Tim Duncan shoots around Jason Thompson in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


ony Parker dishes away after driving into the lane against Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


SPORTS Greg Popovich argues a call with the referee as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan pulls down a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Danny Green gets in the way of Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Kings guard John Salmons is pressured by Tiago splitter and Richard Jefferson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker instructs Danny Green as they walk back on the court as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Richard Jefferson clears a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tim Duncan pulls down a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Danny Green gets in the way of Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Kings guard John Salmons is pressured by Tiago splitter and Richard Jefferson as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Tony Parker instruct Danny Green as they walk back on the court as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Richard Jefferson clears a defensive rebound as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


The Silver Dancers perform as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


DeJuan Blair comes out to guard Tyreke Evans as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)


Kawhi Leonard shoots free throws in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (TOM REEL / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

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