Spurs fall to Pistons

The Defending NBA Champions have been through this before.  They know that, as the reigning NBA Champs, every team will come after them every night they play.  The Detroit Pistons were no different and managed to escape the confines of the AT&T Center with a 105-104 victory.  The way they did it is what is so surprising.

With the clock down to seven seconds and the Spurs’ Tim Duncan in-bounding the ball, what could go wrong.  Evidently everything.  An errant in bounds pass from Duncan landed into the hands of Brandon Jennings who then weaved his way through the backpedaling Spurs and drained an 11-ft jumper which sank the Spurs.

“We are getting better,” Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said. “If you stay in there, sometimes you get a break. We had a very good break at the end. We got lucky at the end. Our resolve to stay in the game right down to the last few seconds was huge.”

Spurs fans also saw the return of Point Guard Tony Parker, who missed the past five games due to a strained left hamstring, although Coach Popovich only allowed him to play 17 minutes.

“He wanted to play, but I’m being conservative,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He had 13 minutes. That’s good after sitting out as long as he did; make sure he doesn’t re-injure the thing.”

The Spurs will have a little time to regroup as they take on the Phoenix Suns tomorrow night.  Plenty of great seats and affordable tickets are still available so get yours now and help cheer on your San Antonio Spurs!

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No Parker, No Ginobili, No Problem

The San Antonio Spurs execution with two top players out was a sight to see and the stand-ins did an excellent job making use of rare minutes on the court.   Corey Joseph, in for Parker, scored 18 points, dished five assists and collected four boards while Ginobili’s stand in, Marco Belinelli was 7-12 from the field and 4-6 from the three point line to tally 20 points, six assists and two rebounds.

“I think he is getting his rhythm,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said of Belinelli. “He didn’t come back in great shape. At this point, he is starting to feel pretty good. The injury held him up after he was trying to get into shape. He is just beginning to start the season really.”

The Spurs face the Jazz, the Knicks, the Lakers and Nuggets this week.  Be sure to get your tickets and help cheer on the Defending NBA Champions!

Spurs face Nets tonight

The defending Champions Spurs (13-4) are on the road visiting the Brooklyn Nets (7-9) at the Barclays Center tonight.  The Nets are coming off a 98-93 victory over the New York Knicks Tuesday evening.  The Spurs are coming off a 109-103 victory over the winless Philadelphia 76er’s in which both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker did not play.  The go to guy (and according to Coach Pop, he needs to play a bigger role) was Kawhi Leonard who notched his fourth 20 point game this season with 26 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

“We’re trying to loosen up a bit and give him more of a green light,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said.

Former Spurs Assistant turned Philly head coach Brett Brown had his hands full trying to keep his former team down and were competitive for most of the game.

“The first half was not played with much energy,” Brown said. “I’ve seen it with our guys. We play the Spurs, we’re sort of star struck for a second. We had no juice, no energy.”

There are plenty of affordable tickets still available for tonight’s game so be sure to get out and support your San Antonio Spurs.