Gregg Popovich | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Spurs’ win streak sacrificed to rest Big Three

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Jazz 91, Spurs 84: April 9, 2012

Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) works against San Antonio Spurs guard Daniel Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors, left, passes around San Antonio Spurs guard Daniel Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Daniel Green, right, shoots over Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair (45) looks for a shot against Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephen Jackson (3) takes a shot over Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair, left, takes a shot while defended by Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin directs his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Fan participate in a Silly String fight during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) attempts a shot while defended by Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich watches his team during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward (20) takes a shot while defended by San Antonio Spurs guard Stephen Jackson during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Boris Diaw (33) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal walks off the court after the Utah Jazz defeated the Spurs 91-84 in an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz guard Devin Harris (5) drives past San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair (45) for a shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) dunks in front of San Antonio Spurs guard Daniel Green (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, April 9, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 91-84. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

By Mike Monroe

SALT LAKE CITY — Ninety minutes before tipoff of what became his team’s first loss in 23 days, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich answered the question everyone inside EnergySolutions Arena couldn’t wait to ask: Which great Spurs had not been on the passenger manifest for the team’s flight that followed a victory over the Jazz at the ATT Center on Sunday?

After all, hadn’t the Spurs coach shown his hand about perhaps holding some players out of Monday’s rematch with the Jazz when he held two regulars out of Sunday’s game?

With some drama, Popovich ticked off names: George Gervin hadn’t been on the plane, he said.

David Robinson hadn’t traveled to Utah, either, the coach informed, unable to suppress a grin.

Ultimately, Popovich admitted he had ordered his Big Three All-Stars — Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker — to remain in San Antonio, perhaps to watch the telecast of the game with The Admiral and The Iceman.

Without the Big Three, the Spurs fell to the Jazz 91-84 in a game long on physicality and bereft of artistry.

The loss ended the Spurs’ stay atop the Western Conference after three days. Combined with Oklahoma City’s victory in Milwaukee, the Spurs (40-15) again trail the Thunder by one game.

Trying just to get into the Western playoffs, the Jazz scrapped for rebounds, blocks and loose balls in crunch time, something Popovich expected.

“They’re the Jazz,” he said. “There has never been a night they don’t play hard.”

Even without their stars, the Spurs had a 12th straight win within their sights. When Utah’s Al Jefferson goaltended a Gary Neal floater with 3:38 remaining, the Spurs had a slim lead at 80-78.

But Neal’s shot was followed by five straight Spurs misses, so when Utah’s Devin Harris scored 10 points in four possessions, nailing two 3-pointers, the Jazz snatched the lead, the momentum and, ultimately, the win.

“Like a lot of NBA games, you have got to make shots,” Popovich said, “and Devin Harris came down and knocked down two in transition in a row, and on the other end, we couldn’t throw it in the ocean.”

Monday’s was the second game this season the Spurs tried to extend an 11-game win streak without their Big Three, but the first in which injuries played no factor. Ginobili was on the sidelines with a strained left oblique when Popovich opted to sit Duncan and Parker in Portland on Feb. 21, one night after his team beat the Jazz to record its first 11-game win streak of the season.

This time, all three players were healthy enough.

Popovich blamed their absence Monday on a schedule that crammed too many games into the final few weeks of the season.

“However you want to look at it, 13 games in 18 days or 16 games in 23 days or ending the season four in five nights, it’s just crazy,” Popovich said. “So I’ve got to do something about it. It just doesn’t make sense to have those guys playing four in five nights, anything like that.”

The decision to go without the Big Three was made in December, not long after Popovich got his first look at the 66-game schedule the NBA decided to cram into 124 days after the end of the lockout.

“It’s pretty much a no-brainer when you look at our schedule,” he said. “We tried to figure it out at the beginning of the season.”

Popovich gave a hint that Monday’s back-to-back rematch would be the second game this season without the Big Three when he gave DeJuan Blair and Stephen Jackson the night off against the Jazz on Sunday. That meant 31 minutes for Duncan and Parker, 28 for Ginobili and banishment from the team flight.

mikemonroe@express-news.net
Twitter: @Monroe_SA

Manu joins Spurs’ fun, helps take down Jazz

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Spurs 114, Jazz 104: April 8, 2012

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) shoots ahead of Utah Jazz’s Al Jefferson (25), Paul Millsap (24) and DeMarre Carroll (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

Utah Jazz’s Devin Harris, center, shoots between San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, Danny Green (4) and Matt Bonner during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, shoots over Utah Jazz’s Devin Harris and Paul Millsap (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, left, talks to Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili, left, of Argentina, drives around Utah Jazz’s Jamaal Tinsley during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22), of Brazil, snatches a rebound ahead of Utah Jazz’s Enes Kanter during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili, left, of Argentina, shoots over Utah Jazz’s C.J. Miles, right, and Enes Kanter during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

Utah Jazz’s Al Jefferson, center, is defended by San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, left, and Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) fights for a rebound with Utah Jazz’s Derrick Favors during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, right, of France, is shoved by Utah Jazz’s Jamaal Tinsley during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-104. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) shoots over Utah Jazz’s Gordon Hayward (20) and Al Jefferson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-104. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili, center, of Argentina, shoots over Utah Jazz’s Al Jefferson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-104. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) shoots over Utah Jazz’s DeMarre Carroll during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-104. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, left, of France, passes around Utah Jazz’s Al Jefferson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-104. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

Utah Jazz’s Derrick Favors, right, shoots over San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw, of France, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-104. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20), of Argentina, shoots over Utah Jazz’s Derrick Favors during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 8, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 114-104. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)

By Jeff McDonald

For the better part of his 10th NBA season, Manu Ginobili has stood in awe of Tony Parker as the point guard carried the Spurs to the top of the Western Conference standings.

Likewise, Ginobili has been heartened by the renaissance of Tim Duncan, who at age 35 has often looked, if not 25, at least 30 again.

All that has been most often missing from the Spurs’ season-long jaunt through yesteryear has been Ginobili himself.

“It’s about time for me to join in,” Ginobili said.

Sunday at the ATT Center, the Spurs extended the NBA’s longest winning streak to 11 games with a 114-104 victory over Utah that they hope is a harbinger of nights to come in the playoffs.

Parker did what he’s been doing, scoring 28 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. Duncan chipped in 13 points and anchored the Spurs’ defense with 16 rebounds and three blocks.

And then, at last, there was Ginobili.

The creakiest leg of the Spurs’ star triad, Ginobili enjoyed his best game since New Year’s Eve, adding 23 points that included a 14-of-15 performance from the free-throw line.

For a team that has all too often seen its Big Three reduced to a Big Two this season, it was a welcome sight.

“(Ginobili) feels like he’s got his legs to shoot the three,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “At the same time, he’s going to the rim and getting the contact. His game is coming together.”

With the win, the 40-14 Spurs — who a day earlier clinched their 15th consecutive playoff berth when Dallas lost to Memphis — stayed ahead of Oklahoma City atop the West standings.

It also helped the Spurs match the longest winning streak in the league this season, equaling their own 11-game handiwork from Jan. 30 to Feb. 20. Tellingly, the oft-injured Ginobili played in just four games of the first streak.

The last time Ginobili scored as many points as he did Sunday was Dec. 31, against these same Jazz. Two nights later, he broke his hand in Minnesota, setting off a star-crossed start to his season.

His odyssey back into fighting shape after missing 29 games with one malady or another has been a running storyline of the Spurs’ season. The team’s success, with or without him, has been nothing short of mind-boggling.

For it, Ginobili credits Parker and Duncan.

“They’ve been on the same page for a long time,” he said. “They’ve been the key for why we are No. 1 in the West. I’m the one who needs to join in.”

Sunday, he did.

Ginobili was a modest 4 of 10 from the field against Utah, but his 15 free-throw attempts were a season high for any Spurs player, as were the 14 he converted. They provided a signal that the stars are beginning to realign for him.

“I’m starting to feel better,” Ginobili said.

With an eye to today’s rematch in Salt Lake City, Popovich tweaked his playing rotation, starting Boris Diaw at center for DeJuan Blair.

Blair, who had been the only Spurs player to start all 53 games to that point, did not play at all. Popovich also kept Stephen Jackson and James Anderson tethered to the bench.

Though Popovich wouldn’t say, there is a good chance the Spurs’ Big Three might not even board the plane for tonight’s game in Utah.

“None of your business,” Popovich offered, helpfully.

If there was a bright spot Sunday for the Jazz, it’s that they made a lost cause competitive.

Trailing by 19 in the first half, Utah (29-28) rallied behind 19 points and 10 rebounds from Al Jefferson, three second-half 3-pointers from Devin Harris and a career-high 16 points from DeMarre Carroll. Late in a 36-point third quarter, the Jazz were within six.

Utah coach Tyrone Corbin, his team fighting for one of the West’s last playoff spots, was encouraged.

“We’ve got to continue to grow and build on that,” Corbin said, and he hopes it begins tonight.

The Spurs’ Big Three, whole and in unison, would not let them lose.

Summoning the familiarity of nine-plus seasons together, Parker, Duncan and Ginobili accounted for 25 of the Spurs’ final 27 points. It was the NBA’s longest tenured trio doing what it does best.

This time, Parker handled most of the load. Twice in the final minutes, Parker obliterated Harris off the dribble on the way to a layup.

“He kind of decided he wasn’t going to let them come back,” Popovich said.

Right there alongside him, grinding, driving, attacking the rim and living at the foul line, was Ginobili.

Joining in.

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Spurs notebook: French connection aiding Diaw

PHOENIX — Newly acquired forward Boris Diaw is five days into the process of learning the Spurs’ offensive and defensive schemes, an endeavor that famously takes most players a full season to master.

At least he had a head start.

With point guard Tony Parker running the show for the French national team in Olympic qualifying competition in September, Les Bleus ran a lot of the same sets the Spurs employ during the season.

“He doesn’t know a lot of what we’re doing, but he did some of it with the French team this summer,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s relying mostly on good basketball IQ.”

Parker calls teaming up with Diaw in silver and black “like a little dream.” The two first began playing together in France when Parker was 16 and Diaw was 15.

In San Antonio, Parker has become Diaw’s tutor on the Spurs’ system. Or, as it turns out, Diaw’s translator.

“(The difference) is more the terminology than the plays,” Parker said. “Once he sees the play, he knows what to do.”

Diaw has played in three games in three nights since signing with the Spurs on Friday, scoring two points in each. With the Spurs’ frontcourt shorthanded in Sunday’s victory against Philadelphia, Diaw supplied seven rebounds in 26:37.

“I didn’t even get a chance to practice, and I played three games in a row,” Diaw said. “That’s the NBA.”

Availability update: Tonight in Phoenix, Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will be available at the same time for the first time since Wednesday at Minnesota.

Tiago Splitter (back spasms) and Gary Neal (left foot sprain) made the trip and will each be re-evaluated after shootaround this morning. Neal is listed as probable; Splitter as doubtful.

Neal, a backup guard, suffered his injury stepping on the foot of DeJuan Blair in Friday’s win over Dallas. Splitter has missed three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, the Spurs are hopeful Australian point guard Patty Mills — signed to a contract but unable to play while ironing out visa issues — will be free to join the team this week.

Joseph earns D-League honor: Rookie point guard Cory Joseph, in the midst of his third assignment with the Austin Toros this season, was named the Development League’s Performer of the Week.

Joseph averaged 19 points, 9.3 assists and nine rebounds during a 3-0 week for the Toros. His performance included a D-League season-high 25 points Wednesday against Iowa and a triple-double (15 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists) Friday against Maine.

Cardinal’s reply: After Friday’s game, Spurs forward Stephen Jackson called out Dallas’ Brian Cardinal for a flagrant foul against Duncan.

“When you can’t play no more, I guess all you can do is go out and try to hurt people,” Jackson said.

Cardinal’s response came courtesy of the Dallas Morning News.

“The thing I take from that is he thinks I once could play,” Cardinal told the newspaper.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN