In The News | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Duncan, Parker boost Spurs over Hornets

By Jeff McDonald

NEW ORLEANS — Tim Duncan paused before leaving the court at New Orleans Arena, waiting a beat to savor the incredible thing that had just transpired in the Spurs’ 104-102 victory over the Hornets.

For starters, he was actually on the floor in the fourth quarter.

“It was nice to be on the floor, it was nice to make some shots,” Duncan said. “It was nice to get a win on the road. All in all, a nice night.”

Duncan made sure of that, throwing in a running hook shot over Emeka Okafor with 1.4 seconds to go for the winning basket Monday, as the Spurs escaped New Orleans with their second road win of the season.

He finished with 28 points for his highest-scoring night in more than a year, while Tony Parker passed out a career-best 17 assists to go with 20 points.

Together, with Manu Ginobili still out, the Spurs’ two remaining upright All-Stars helped them avoid a three-game losing streak.

“It feels great,” said Parker, whose sore back surely did not. “Your whole body hurts more when you lose. It feels OK when you win.”

Jarrett Jack had 26 points to lead New Orleans, which dropped its eighth in a row to fall to 3-14, while Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza chipped in 18 apiece.

The Hornets had no answer for Duncan, the Spurs’ 35-year-old power forward, and Parker, the Spurs’ 29-year-old point guard with a bad back.

Fighting off inflammation in his lower back that began in Milwaukee nearly two weeks ago, Parker picked apart New Orleans.

By halftime, he already had 11 assists. It would have been a season high if not for the 13 he had dished out in Houston two nights earlier.

His takeaway?

“You can dominate a game another way,” said Parker, whose team improved to 11-7.

For Duncan, just getting on the floor in crunch time felt like an accomplishment.

After sitting all but 5.5 seconds of the fourth quarter in a loss to Sacramento, and all of the Spurs’ loss at Houston, Duncan joked he spent the stretch run worried that Gregg Popovich would pull him.

Hoping to keep Duncan as fresh as possible for as long as possible in this lockout-compacted season, Popovich has devised a plan to prohibit him from ever playing four games in five nights again.

It is a plan sure to be met with disgust from Duncan.

“That’s just the player in me,” Duncan said. “You’re a competitor. You want to be out there every night. You want to be with your team. You don’t want to leave your team hanging.”

Popovich, however, sees value in taking a strategic loss, as he did in Houston.

Asked if he thought resting Duncan in Houston had paved the way for his big performance in New Orleans, Popovich started with a joke.

“Yeah,” he said. “I’m just a friggin’ genius.”

Then, he answered — more seriously — with a question of his own.

“Do you think he’d have been that way if we’d played him in Houston?” Popovich asked.

On the floor against the Hornets, Duncan gave his answer. Playing on two days’ rest for the first time this season, he made 11 of 19 shots and scored his most points since a Dec. 16, 2010, win in Denver.

When the game hung in the balance late, tied at 102 after Landry had tipped in a rare Jack miss, Popovich drew up a play for Duncan.

Okafor defended it well, forcing Duncan to try a one-handed 13-footer.

“A mix of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,” Parker said.

“And part quarterback throw,” Duncan retorted. “I think I side-armed it a bit.”

Duncan admitted his game-winner came with a little luck.

“I couldn’t do it again if I tried,” he said.

Back on the floor in crunch time Monday, Duncan at last got a chance to try when it counted.

“It went in that one time,” he said. “That’s all that matters.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Associated Press photos

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Spurs 104, Hornets 102: Jan. 23, 2012

San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) shoots over New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor for the go-ahead shot with 1.4 seconds left in an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Richard Jefferson (24) hugs center Tim Duncan (21) after Duncan’s go-ahead shot with 1.4 seconds left in an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Richard Jefferson (24) shoots over New Orleans Hornets forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

New Orleans Hornets guard Marco Belinelli (8), of Italy, shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter and guard Gary Neal (14) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with center Tiago Splitter (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Hornets in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

New Orleans Hornets forward Trevor Ariza (1), center tries to drive to the basket between San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan, right, and forward Richard Jefferson (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) shoots over New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor (50) and guard Jarrett Jack in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) drives to the basket past New Orleans Hornets center Chris Kaman (35) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor, right, blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) dunks over New Orleans Hornets forward Trevor Ariza (1) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

New Orleans Hornets forward Carl Landry (24) shoots a desperation 3-point shot that did not go in as the clock expired, as San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams talks to forward Trevor Ariza (1) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to point guard Tony Parker (9) and guard Daniel Green (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

New Orleans Hornets forward Trevor Ariza (1) shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

New Orleans Hornets guard Jarrett Jack (2) shoots around San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. The Spurs won 104-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan, right, and New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor watch the ball after a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP)

Ford’s injury throws backcourt in turmoil

MILWAUKEE — When limped off the floor at the just before halftime Tuesday, it didn’t just change the look of the Spurs’ bench.

It likely changed their starting lineup as well.

In what he termed “a freak accident,” Ford strained his left hamstring after a driving layup with 30 seconds left in the first half of the Spurs’ 106-103 loss to Milwaukee. He had to be helped to the locker room by two members of the Spurs’ support staff.

“I just came down wrong,” Ford said.

Ford, who left the Bradley Center under his own power, did not undergo an MRI or any other tests at the arena. He expects to be re-examined today in San Antonio.

With no other point guards on the Spurs’ traveling roster, shooting guard took over as ‘s primary backup, with rookie sliding into Neal’s starting spot.

It is a look Spurs coach hinted might open the game tonight when Houston visits the ATT Center. It would also not be surprising for rookie to be recalled from the for depth purposes.

There is no immediate timetable for Ford’s return. For now, Neal is prepared to log time at point guard, a position he practiced during the lockout before Ford was added to the roster.

“You never know what’s going to happen in the course of a season,” Neal said. “I have to be prepared.”

With already sidelined, Ford’s absence robs the Spurs of their two most prolific set-up men. Invoking a bit of NBA parlance, Spurs captain called Ford’s injury “a big loss for our littles.”

“It puts a lot more pressure on T.P. and Gary,” Duncan said. “Both their minutes are going to go up a little bit.”

THE IRON MAN: Duncan, the Spurs’ oldest player at age 35, pronounced himself no worse for wear after logging a season-high 35 minutes, 50 seconds in Tuesday’s loss.

With Popovich aiming to keep Duncan’s minutes down during this condensed season, it marked just the second time the Spurs’ power forward had crossed the 30-minute threshold.

“It felt good to be out there that long,” said Duncan, who had his first 20-point game of the season to go with eight rebounds and seven assists. “I know we have a game (Wednesday), so we’ll see how I feel then.”

ANOTHER AZTEC: Leonard should see a familiar face in the Spurs’ locker room tonight at the ATT Center.

Malcolm Thomas, Leonard’s teammate and roommate last season at San Diego State, is expected to be in uniform for the Spurs tonight against Houston after being called up from the Development League.

Thomas, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in eight games for the Los Angeles D-Fenders, was in San Antonio for a physical Tuesday.

“He’s athletic, he does a good job on defense,” said Leonard, offering the scouting report on the 23-year-old Thomas. He comes from help side, blocks shots. He’ll get tip-backs and rebounds. He’s a great team player.”

Spurs intend to hurdle roadblock

MIAMI — Maybe it’s just the jet lag. Maybe it’s a touch of homesickness.

Maybe the mattresses at their luxury hotels have suddenly become too lumpy. Maybe the seats on their charter plane have become too cramped.

Or maybe, as Tim Duncan suggests, there really is no good explanation for the Spurs’ newfound fear of travel.

The fact of the matter is this: The Spurs are 9-0 at the ATT Center this season, 0-4 when they leave Bexar County.

“There’s no rhyme or reason to why we’re winning one place and not the other,” Duncan said. “We just have to play better on the road.”

Having already perfected the art of winning at home, the Spurs figure tonight in Miami is as good a time as any to take their winning act on the road.

The Spurs have not won a road game of any sort — postseason, regular season or preseason — since posting a 97-90 victory at Atlanta last April 5.

This season, they’ve been routed in Houston, Minnesota and Oklahoma City and dropped a three-point game in Milwaukee.

“In a situation like this, home games become even more important, and road games are even tougher to get,” forward Richard Jefferson said. “You have to play better on the road than you do at home.”

On the surface, the back-to-back that begins tonight in Miami and continues Wednesday at Orlando is not the most desirable place to stage a road revival.

The All-Star laden Heat, defending Eastern Conference champions, beat the Spurs by 30 at AmericanAirlines Arena last season (a week after — go figure — losing by 30 in San Antonio).

Meanwhile, the Magic have become a perennial Spurs roadblock, winning the past three meetings in Orlando by a combined 52 points.

Considering NBA schedule-makers will not allow the Spurs to play only in San Antonio, they’d better figure out how to win an away game if they plan on finishing the season better than .500.

For starters, center DeJuan Blair said, “we’ve got to bring more intensity on the road.”

The Spurs could get a bit of a break tonight, with Miami All-Star guard Dwyane Wade expected to miss the game with an ankle injury. Still, LeBron James — Wade’s All-Star backcourt mate — picked up the slack to the tune of 32.5 points, 11 assists and 7.5 rebounds in a pair of games flying solo the week before last.

Wade’s status might not matter if the Spurs can’t find a way to suspend their road-home Jekyll-and-Hyde routine. The sample size is small, but so far the Spurs have been a different team outside San Antonio city limits.

They are averaging 103.4 points at home, 95 on the road. They are allowing 106.3 points on the road and 90.3 at home.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is succinct in diagnosing the difference.

“We suck on the road,” he said. “We’re really good at home.”

This is a relatively novel phenomenon for the Spurs, who have traditionally been one of the NBA’s saltiest away teams. Last season, the Spurs won their first eight road games en route to a 25-16 road record.

The best explanation anyone can offer for the Spurs’ recently discovered ability to impersonate a treadmarked armadillo: an increased reliance on younger players.

Popovich starts a 22-year-old at center (Blair) and a 20-year-old rookie at guard (Kawhi Leonard). His bench includes third-year swingman Danny Green, a pair of second-year players in center Tiago Splitter and guard Gary Neal and another 20-year-old rookie in point guard Cory Joseph.

Winning on the road, Popovich said, is a learned skill younger players take time to master.

“There are always a couple moments in a road game where it can be a five- or six-point game, and all of a sudden it’s eight or 10,” Popovich said. “You sort of lose your mojo.”

Duncan figures it is past time for the Spurs to find it in someone else’s gym.

“We’ve protected our home court,” Duncan said. “Now it’s time to get one on the road.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net