Gregg Popovich | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Duncan no All-Star? Don’t tell the Hornets

By Mike Monroe

When the Spurs played the Hornets in New Orleans on Jan. 23, a well-rested Tim Duncan turned back the clock and authored his best game of the season, a 28-point burst of energy punctuated by a game-winning hook shot.

Facing the Hornets again Thursday, this time after a hard win over Houston the night before, Duncan proved he can still dominate a game while weary. In 22 minutes and 28 seconds, he produced an extraordinarily efficient 19 points and nine rebounds, helping the Spurs secure a 93-81 victory.

When Duncan wasn’t torturing the shorthanded Hornets in the post, backup big man Tiago Splitter was doing the same, making 7 of 9 shots and scoring 16.

The Spurs, now 15-9, ran their home-court record to 12-1.

Before the game there was speculation aplenty that Duncan might not suit up for the Spurs’ fourth in five nights. Coach Gregg Popovich had vowed he wouldn’t let Duncan play all four games in such a compressed stretch.

Even when Popovich an? nounced Duncan would be in his starting lineup there was concern about how much the 13-time All-Star would have left in his legs.

Duncan wasted no time proving he felt good. He scored seven points in a first quarter when his teammates made only 6 of 16 shots and had 11 by halftime.

Teammate Matt Bonner knew Duncan was on his way to a standout game.

“He was wicked spry out there,” Bonner said, flattening his vowels as only a New Englander can.

Duncan could sense fatigue, not in himself but in the legs of his perimeter-shooting teammates.

“I just felt I had to be aggressive, try to attack them a little bit,” he said. “We didn’t have shots falling from the outside or shoot the 3-ball real well, so opportunities were there and I just took them when I could.”

As he had in Wednesday’s comeback win over Houston, Duncan did most of his scoring against the Hornets in the low post. Only two of his eight shots were launched outside 10 feet, and his aggression around the basket put him on the foul line for seven free throws, all of which he converted.

“He feels really good,” Popovich said. “He feels like he’s got a good balance and that’s always a good sign when he wants the ball down on the block.”

Even with Duncan dominating inside, the game was close going to the fourth quarter because the Spurs were horrid from beyond the 3-point arc. They missed 13 of their first 14 long-range attempts; Bonner clanked his first four.

A 71-68 lead at the start of the fourth grew quickly to nine points because the Spurs locked down their defense and allowed just one Hornets basket in the first 4:20 of the period.

By the time point guard Tony Parker whipped a wraparound pass from the top of the key to a wide-open Bonner, alone outside the 3-point line on the left side, the momentum of the game decreed Bonner’s first hit from long range.

Popovich understood the importance of his team’s defensive excellence in crunch time.

“The defense generated offense for us as the game went on into the fourth quarter,” he said. “I thought Tony was really good in the second half forcing the issue, and I thought Tiago had a great run there, defensively and offensively, and the two of them really got us going, and that was it.”

Thursday’s victory means the Spurs will take a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s game against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in their final home game before playing nine straight on the road.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

– Photos by Billy Calzada

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Spurs 93, Hornets 81: Feb. 2, 2012

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Richard Jefferson of the San Antonio Spurs dunks during first-half NBA action against the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs guard Tony Parker penetrates as the New Orleans Hornets defend during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair of the Spurs, right, shoots over Emeka Okafer of the New Orleans Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs (9) shoots a layup as Emeka Okafor, left, of the New Orleans Hornets, and Trevor Ariza, right, defend on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dunks after stealing an inbound pass from Carl Landry of the New Orleans Hornets in the second half at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs (22) battles Carldell Johnson of the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tiago Splitter of the Spurs shoots over Gustavo Ayon (15) and Al-Farouq Aminu of the Hornets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs greets teammate Tony Parker with a pat on the head during a timeout of their game against the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan signals to his Spurs teammates during their game against New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

The San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers perform during a timeout at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs fans are jubliant as the Spurs pull away to a 93-81 victory over the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Matt Bonner (15) of the Spurs defends Marco Belinelli of New Orleans looks to pass off during NBA action on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan (21) and Spurs teammates leave the court after their 93-81 victory over New Orleans on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair, right, and Tim Duncan of the Spurs go through a pre-game ritual before their game against New Orleans at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the Spurs hangs, as is his custom, from the rim when the lights are turned down for players introductions at the ATT Center on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsNew Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)

Duncan experiences huge flashback

By Jeff McDonald

Tim Duncan hit a right-handed hook on Samuel Dalembert. A few minutes later, he opted for the left.

Later, he spun Jordan Hill into oblivion on the low block, cleaned up a misconnected alley-oop attempt and dunked home a pass from Gary Neal.

By the time Duncan’s third-quarter trip through time was finished Wednesday, giving the kind of stretch his younger teammates might have read about in their history books, the Spurs had climbed out of a 19-point hole against Houston, on their way to a 99-91 victory.

For Duncan, the most memorable moment of a memorable night happened before the third quarter even began.

“I was just happy to be on the floor, honestly,” Duncan said.

Duncan tallied 16 of his 25 points in a third quarter that began with the Spurs 13 points down, scoring on an array of ? post moves unpacked from moth balls.

There was a chance, given coach Gregg Popovich’s history, Duncan might not have been on the court for the comeback.

In a 105-85 loss at Houston on Dec. 29, with the Spurs (14-9) down 18 at the half and headed nowhere, Popovich chose to sit Duncan the entire second half.

By halftime Wednesday at the ATT Center, point guard Tony Parker was having flashbacks.

“I was thinking Pop was going to pull the plug again,” said Parker, who ended with 24 points. “I’m glad he stuck with us.”

This time, Popovich had a different feel than he had in December at the Toyota Center.

Wednesday, the Rockets (12-10) shot 50 percent in the first half. Kevin Martin scored 21 points in the first two quarters — he finished with 29 — via a shooting pace (7 of 10) he could not possibly sustain. The Spurs, meanwhile, were shooting 35.9 percent, despite some good looks.

“That’s something you have to assess, whether you think guys are playing poorly,” Popovich said, “or if they’re playing well but things aren’t going their way.”

The seeds for Wednesday’s comeback might have been sown Sunday in Dallas, when the Spurs rallied from 20 points down to force overtime before losing 101-100.

“That gave us confidence we could do it,” said forward Matt Bonner, whose 3-pointer with 1:04 left gave the Spurs a 96-91 lead.

This comeback, which earned the Spurs a 2-2 split of the season series with Houston, was different than in Dallas.

Against the Mavericks, the Spurs’ bench played all of the fourth quarter and overtime. Wednesday’s rally was spearheaded by the longest-tenured tandem of teammates in the NBA.

Parker and Duncan had all but one of the Spurs’ field goals in a third quarter they won 28-19.

Mostly, it was Duncan, at age 35 reminding the Rockets that, yes, he once was the league’s MVP.

“It was like he found the Fountain of Youth,” Neal said.

A sign of Duncan’s aggressiveness: He was 7 of 10 from the foul line, the first time he’d tried that many free throws since 2009-10.

When Duncan finished a failed alley-oop from Danny Green to James Anderson — players who were in grade school when Duncan debuted in 1997 — it brought the Spurs within 66-58.

With 7:01 to go, Green hit a corner 3-pointer to give the Spurs an 81-79 lead, their first since 1-0.

“We tried to hang in there,” Parker said. “We just kept fighting.”

The fighting might continue tonight. Popovich has vowed to sit Duncan at least once in four-games-in-five-nights scenarios, which would portend a DNP against New Orleans.

Even after logging 31 minutes Wednesday, Duncan doesn’t think he needs it.

Asked if he would lobby Popovich to play against the Hornets, Duncan appeared nonplussed.

“I didn’t know I needed to lobby,” Duncan said. “I assume I’m playing. I’m assuming I’ll be out there.”

If he has indeed found the Fountain of Youth, Duncan will take a long gulp this morning, and hope for the best tonight.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Billy Calzada

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Spurs 99, Rockets 91: Feb. 1, 2012

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a layup against the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

University of North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams, wearing glasses, smiles after Kyle Lowry of the Houston Rockets almost ran into him while chasing a ball out of bounds during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Williams was in town to see San Antonio Spurs player Danny Green, who used to play for him. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich questions a call by official Matt Boland during first-half NBA action against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio spurs shoots as Samuel Dalembert of the Houston Rockets defends during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Jordan Hill of the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets attempts to rebound as Tim Duncan of the Spurs defends during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the Spurs defends as Samuel Dalembert of the Rockets looks to shoot or pass off during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale screams during NBA action against the Spurs at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs hangs from the rim, as is his custom, before the Spurs are introduced for their game against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair of the San Antonio Spurs battles to keep control of the ball against the Houston Rockets during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs (2) battles Luis Scola (4) and Samuel Dalembert of the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan slam dunks during second-half action against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Gary Neal of the Spurs passes off an assist during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan smiles from the bench as time winds down on the San Antonio Spurs 99-91 victory over the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Fans cheer as the Spurs’ Tim Duncan grabs a rebound in the final seconds of the Spurs’ 99-91 victory over the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the Spurs lays up the ball as Samuel Dalembert (21) of the Houston Rockets chases during second-half NBA action on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Bonner on a Red Rocket roll

There were moments in Matt Bonner’s past when his struggles might have crushed him.

As a 20-something, had Bonner started a season missing 30 of his first 47 3-pointers, he might have crawled into a hole and never come out.

“I definitely think I used to let it affect me,” said Bonner, the 31-year-old Spurs sharpshooter. “As I’ve gotten older, I realize you take every shot independent of what happened on the last one.”

Don’t look now, but Bonner is back on a hot streak. After shooting 36.2 percent in his first 15 games, Bonner — the NBA’s leading long-ball artist last season — is averaging 12 points and shooting 50 percent in his last five.

He has drilled multiple 3-pointers in each of those contests, hitting five in two of them. The recent sizzling stretch has pushed Bonner up to 41.8 percent from beyond the arc, still below last season’s NBA-best 45.7 percent but better than his career mark.

After Bonner went 5 of 9 for 15 points to help spearhead an 83-73 victory in Memphis on Monday, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised his resilience. It is a trait Bonner, an eighth-year pro, did not possess earlier in his career.

“He knows shooting is the best thing that he does, besides hustle,” Popovich said. “It’s not going to bother him if he misses a few shots.”

As part of his performance in Memphis, Bonner rattled in a bank shot from the top of the arc, a true sign of a player riding a hot hand.

That shooter’s mentality Bonner talks about was in full effect then.

“Whether it went in, whether it didn’t go in, whether you banked it in,” Bonner said, “if you’re open, step in and fire.”

DUNCAN’S DAY OFF: Popovich has vowed not to play 35-year-old power forward Tim Duncan four times in five nights for the rest of the season, which points to a day off coming either tonight against Houston or Thursday against New Orleans.

Popovich has not signaled which night Duncan might sit, only that he will.

“The constricted schedule forces him to miss a game here or there,” Popovich said. “Rather than reduce minutes one night, he’ll have to just sit.”

Though naturally uneasy with the idea of shirking work, Duncan said he understands the wisdom of Popovich’s rest plan.

The only Spurs player who recalls the lockout-shortened 1999 campaign, Duncan said he could already sense the difference between this season and that one.

“This does not feel like ’99,” Duncan said. “In ’99, I was a deer. I’d just run all day. This is a couple years after that.”

MIND OVER MUSCLES: Much ado has been made about the physical toll the lockout-condensed season has taken on players. Bonner says the strain of playing so many games in so little time isn’t just limited to sore muscles.

“More than physical, it’s also mental,” Bonner said. “You have to mentally prepare yourself for an extra game each week. It makes a difference. The teams with the mental toughness to be able to focus in and compete every night will be successful.”

jmcdonald@express- news.net