Gregg Popovich | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Monday: Spurs (3-1) at Timberwolves (1-3)

Time: 7 p.m.
TV: FSNSW
Radio: WOAI-AM 1200, KCOR-AM 1350

STARTING LINEUPS

Point guard
Spurs: 9 Tony Parker (6-2, 11th yr)
Timberwolves: 13 Luke Ridnour (6-2, 9th yr)
Parker coming off two bad shooting games: 9 for 25 vs. Rockets, Jazz.

Shooting guard
Spurs: 20 Manu Ginobili (6-6, 10th yr)
Timberwolves: 4 Wesley Johnson (6-7, 2nd yr)
Ginobili missed only one shot vs. Jazz, a 3-pointer tipped by defender.

Small forward
Spurs: 24 Richard Jefferson (6-7, 11th yr)
Timberwolves: 8 Michael Beasley (6-10, 4th yr)
Beasley took 27 shots in season opener, scored only 24 points.

Power forward
Spurs: 21 Tim Duncan (6-11, 15th yr)
Timberwolves: 42 Kevin Love (6-10, 4th yr)
Love turned in 5th 30 pt/20 reb game of career vs. Bucks on Dec. 27.

Center
Spurs: 45 DeJuan Blair (6-7, 3rd yr)
Timberwolves: 31 Darko Milicic (7-0, 9th yr)
At 16.3 ppg, Blair No. 2 in Spurs scoring, behind Ginobili (19.8)

SPURS RESERVES
25 James Anderson, G, 6-6, 2nd yr
15 Matt Bonner, C/F, 6-10, 8th yr
11 T.J. Ford, G, 6-0, 8th yr
4 Danny Green, G/F, 6-6, 3rd yr
5 Cory Joseph, G, 6-3, 1st yr
2 Kawhi Leonard, F, 6-7, 1st yr
14 Gary Neal, G, 6-4, 2nd yr
22 Tiago Splitter, F/C, 6-11, 2nd

TIMBERWOLVES RESERVES
11 J.J. Barea, G, 6-0, 6th yr
22 Wayne Ellington, G, 6-4, 4th yr
3 Malcolm Lee, G, 6-5, 1st yr
52 Brad Miller, C, 7-0, 14th yr
14 Nikola Pekovic, C, 6-11, 2nd yr
15 A. Randolph, F, 6-11, 4th yr
9 Ricky Rubio, G, 6-4, 1st yr
44 Anthony Tolliver, F, 6-8, 4th yr
5 M. Webster, G/F, 6-5, 7th yr
7 Derrick Williams, F, 6-8, 1st yr

COACHES
Spurs: Gregg Popovich
Timberwolves: Rick Adelman

INJURIES
Spurs: Gary Neal (appendectomy) is not with team.
Timberwolves: Barea (strained left hamstring) is questionable; Lee (left knee surgery) is out; Miller (microfracgure surgery, left knee) is out; Pekovic (strained left adductor) is doubtful; Webster (back surgery) is out.

PROJECTED INACTIVE PLAYERS
Spurs: Gary Neal
Timberwolves: Lee, Pekovic

NOTABLE
Timberwolves, who beat Mavericks on Sunday night at Target Center for their first victory, are second straight opponent Spurs catch on second game of back-to-back set. … Adelman one of two active coaches with more victories (945) than Popovich. … Love went into Sunday night averaging nearly 38 minutes per game. Though Minnesota carries maximum 15 players, it suited up only 10 against Heat because of injuries.

Game rewind: The Spurs dodged a sizzling Denver shooting effort

The Spurs began their biggest test of the season to date with a difficult back-to-back against the two best teams in the Western Conference Saturday night.

They were more efficient offensively than in any game this season in an impressive 121-117 victory over Denver.

Oklahoma City, the team with the best winning percentage in the Western Division, will be upcoming Sunday night.

But before worrying about the Thunder, Gregg Popovich should savor a lot from the Spurs’ victory over the Nuggets.

Here’s how they did it.

Game analysis: The Spurs sprinted past Denver in a game that was reminiscent of the days of the ABA. Both teams shot better than 55 percent and it certainly wasn’t the kind of defense that Popovich likes his team to play. But no matter as the Spurs had enough firepower off the bench to withstand a late charge from the Nuggets’ deep rotation.

Where the game was won: Richard Jefferson provided two critical plays late when Denver had a chance to make things interesting. Trailing by five points with 2:01 remaining, Ty Lawson had a breakaway layup that Jefferson made a late recovery for a blocked shot. T.J. Ford picked up the loose ball and then hit Jefferson with a perfect pass that led to a 3-point dagger that helped ice the victory. After the game, Denver coach George Karl called it a five-point turnaround that effectively settled the game.

Player of the game I: Danny Green came off the bench to provide a career-best 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two steals in 33:27. His recent surge on offense and defense has made him the Spurs’ biggest surprise so far this season.

Player of the game II: Jefferson was particularly effective down the stretch, providing key offensive and defensive plays that helped the team salt away the victory. Jefferson nailed five 3-pointers in his 19-point effort, with 16 points in the second half.

Player of the game III: Angular Denver forward Danilo Gallinari is playing with a lot of confidence, torching the Spurs for 31 points to match his career high. Gallinari scored 12 of the team’s first 14 points in the second half to help them climb back into the game and was the most consistent offensive weapon the Nuggets had.

Most unsung: Let’s split this one between DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter, who melded to produce a pretty productive inside model for the Spurs. In slightly more than 48 minutes, Splitter and Blair combined for 20 points, 15 rebounds (including nine offensive) on 9 of 15 shooting. Those aren’t exactly vintage David Robinson numbers, but they will do for now.

Did you notice: Maybe the after effects of the lockout are stronger than we might think. The Spurs attracted an announced crowd of 17,537. It marked the second straight Saturday night — typically the best night for attendance — where the Spurs failed to attract a capacity crowd to the ATT Center.

Stat of the game: Green erupted for a career-high 24 points off the bench, keying a strong effort as the Spurs’ reserves combined for 53 bench points.

Stat of the game II: Jefferson went 5 for 8 from beyond the 3-point arc. He now has 26 3-pointers for the season to share the league lead with Boston’s Paul Pierce.

Stat of the game III: For the first time since 2007-08, the Spurs have won their first six home games of the season. San Antonio started that season with 13 straight home wins.

Weird stat of the game: Saturday’s game marked only the fourth game in Duncan’s career where he has played at least 19 minutes and grabbed two rebounds or less.

Weird stat of the game II: Denver shot 56.8 percent from the field. According to Basketball-Reference.com, the last time the Nuggets lost when they shot 56.8 percent came on March 14, 2000. In that game, they were defeated at the Los Angeles Clippers, 110-106. In the NBA last season, a team shot that percentage and lost only twice all season.

Quote of the game: ”The ref said he got all ball. I don’t know. He got away with murder,” Lawson, on Jefferson’s controversial late blocked shot that served as a turning point.

How the schedule stacks up: The Spurs were in the first night of a back-to-back before playing Sunday in Oklahoma City. It will be a part of a swing of four games in five nights. Denver was in the middle of a back-to-back-to-back. After that, they will play a more reasonable slate with a game followed by an off day for the next eight days.

Injuries: Manu Ginobili missed his third game after undergoing surgery for a fractured fifth left metacarpal. Denver forward Nene, the team’s leading rebounder, did not play because of a bruised left foot.

Young Spurs put away Portland

By Jeff McDonald
jmcdonald@express-news.net

There were times last season when Tiago Splitter might have wanted to leave. Just pack his bags, turn in his passport and return to Spain, where he was an MVP, as opposed to San Antonio, where he was a mess.

Injured for most of his rookie year, and flat out of sync for the rest of it, there were times last season when Splitter wondered what he was doing in the NBA at all.

And he probably wasn’t the only one.

“You start to think you’ve forgotten how to play basketball,” Splitter said.

Game by game in his second NBA season, and most recently in the Spurs’ slump-busting 99-83 victory over Portland on Friday, the game seems to be coming back to Splitter.

Splitter scored nine of his 14 points in the third quarter, his 6-foot-11 frame standing at the heart of a rally that took the Spurs from teetering on the brink of yet another loss to the Trail Blazers to a resounding victory.

With the win, just their second against Portland since Feb. 25 2009, the Spurs ran their home record to 8-0 this season, their best start at the ATT Center since opening 2007-08 with 13 in a row.

“I thought we earned it,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose team is 5-2 since Manu Ginobili went down with a broken hand.

The Spurs (8-4) earned it despite a season-high 23 turnovers — including 10 in the first quarter — and 29 points from Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge. They won with a mixture of youth and solid bench play, prerequisites for success in this lockout-compacted season.

Reserve swingman Danny Green had eight of his 13 points in the second quarter to help the Spurs transform a turnover-plagued start into a 50-47 halftime lead. Rookie Kawhi Leonard had nine of his 11 in the fourth to help keep Portland (7-4) at bay.

In between, the Spurs turned to a once-overwhelmed Brazilian to help steady the ship in the third quarter, at precisely the moment it appeared to be sinking.

The Spurs managed just one basket in the first 7:19 of the second half, going 1 for 9 with four turnovers as Portland eked out a 57-52 edge. Splitter broke the scoring drought with a free throw at the 4:50 mark, then — after Tim Duncan rebounded a miss of the second foul shot — found himself posted on the smaller Nicolas Batum.

Recognizing the mismatch, Splitter called for the ball, spun quickly and finished a layup. A bucket-and-a-foul against Gerald Wallace followed, then another free throw.

“It’s just about confidence,” said Splitter,who made all five of his shot attempts Friday.

Somewhere in Splitter’s third quarter, which also included a block of Wallace and a nifty assist to Tony Parker, his teammates began to see a player they’d been longing to meet.

“He reminded me of when he was in Vitoria,” Parker said, referring to the Spanish League club for whom Splitter was MVP in 2009-10.

For Splitter, nights like Friday arrive from a blend of patience and opportunity. Besieged by injury, the former first-round draft pick appeared in just 60 games a rookie.

“He has the exact same skills he had last year,” Popovich said. “He’s just healthy, and he’s playing.”

Even through the struggles, Parker said he never doubted Splitter could be a contributor. He compared Splitter’s learning curve to that of Fabricio Oberto, an afterthought of a rookie in 2005-06 who went on to start for the Spurs’ 2007 title team.

“I knew Tiago was going to play a lot better this year, because he proved it in Europe,” said Parker, who scored 12 of his team-leading 20 points in the fourth. “If he played great in Euroleague, there’s no reason he doesn’t play great here.”

Deep down, Splitter always believed as much. That’s why he never packed his bags. It’s why he kept coming back. On nights like Friday, he’s glad he did.

“It’s all about playing, working hard,” Splitter said. “If you work hard, you know things are going to come. That’s the feeling I’m having now. I’m playing basketball again.”

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Spurs 99, Blazers 83 – Jan. 13, 2012

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) shoots over Portland Trailblazers’ Nicolas Batum (88) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes low for a shot against Portland Trailblazers’ LeMarcus Aldridge (12) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Portland Trailblazers’ Gerald Wallace (03) dunks over Spurs’ Tim Duncan in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) drives to the basket against Portland Trailblazers’ Marcus Camby (23) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Richard Jefferson (24) struggles for a rebound against Portland Trailblazers’ Nicolas Batum (88) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) heaves a shot against Portland Trailblazers’ Nicolas Batum (88) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) gets his shot tipped by Portland Trailblazers’ Marcus Camby (23) as LeMarcus Aldridge (12) closes ranks in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (right) dives for a loose ball with Portland Trailblazers’ Marcus Camby in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) goes up for a shot against Portland Trailblazers’ Chris Johnson (17) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Splitter added 14 points off the bench. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Richard Jefferson (left) dives for a loose ball against Portland Trailblazers’ LeMarcus Aldridge (12) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) drives past Portland Trailblazers’ Nicolas Batum (88) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Parker had a team-high 20 points. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (left) questions a foul during their game against the Portland Trailblazers in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (left) tries to regain control of the ball against Portland Trailblazers’ Kurt Thomas (40) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ James Anderson (25) dunks over Portland Trailblazers’ Chris Johnson (17) and Luke Babbitt (08) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) pushes the ball upcourt against Portland Trailblazers’ Elliot Williams (09) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Neal had a bandage on his head from an off-court injury. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) clears out Portland Trailblazers’ LeMarcus Aldridge after stealing the ball from Aldridge in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (center) greets teammates DeJuan Blair (left) and Danny Green (right) at a timeout in a game against Portland Trailblazers in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Spurs Silverdancers perform during a timeout in a game against the Portland Trailblazers in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)