By Jeff McDonald
LOS ANGELES — For 38 days, the Spurs had run roughshod across the NBA, picking up wins as if they were on special at Costco, making everything look so easy and so predictable.
So imagine the Spurs’ surprise — and perhaps that of the Los Angeles Clippers, too — when they looked up at the Staples Center scoreboard in the second quarter Saturday to see the following unexpected sight:
Clippers 40, Spurs 16.
By the end of Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series, the Spurs had discovered a different route to the same old destination, riding the crest of a history-making comeback to grab a 96-86 victory and a commanding 3-0 series lead.
“We just stayed in there,” said point guard Tony Parker, who had 23 points and 10 assists for his first double-double of the playoffs. “We knew it was a long game. We didn’t panic.”
The triumph was the Spurs’ 17th in a row, matching the longest streak in club history, and moved them within a win in Game 4 tonight of sweeping two series in the same postseason for the first time since 1999.
This victory was not like the others.
Down 33-11 after a dreadful first quarter — during which L.A. forward Blake Griffin outscored them by three on his way to a 28-point, 16-rebound game — the Spurs were plus-32 points over the final three quarters.
It marked the largest deficit at the end of one quarter overcome to win a playoff game in NBA history.
“We didn’t plan on being down by that much,” Tim Duncan said, batting away the theory that maybe the Spurs needed a 24-point first-half hole to keep from toppling over with boredom.
When L.A.’s Nick Young hit a corner 3-pointer with 9:17 left in the second quarter, the Spurs were down 40-16.
Faced with their largest deficit since before the All-Star break, the Spurs did not lose their nerve and did not surrender. The team that prides itself on “pounding the rock” simply took out its chisel and began chipping away at Gibraltar.
“We knew if we could get it to 10,” Manu Ginobili said, “we had a chance.”
The comeback began modestly, with a corner 3-pointer from Matt Bonner, his only field goal of the game.
By half, the Spurs had drawn within 10, the magic number, and felt in control. A 24-0 run in the third quarter, sparked by Parker, Duncan and hyperactive rookie Kawhi Leonard, turned the game for good.
The Clippers went 8:15 without a basket, missing 12 straight shots, and finished the third quarter with just eight points — a playoff record-low for a Spurs’ opponent.
Chris Paul, the Clippers’ All-Star point guard who limped through a third straight poor shooting night, had a word for the collapse: “Devastating,” he said.
“They’re too good of a team to just kind of lay back and take a loss like that,” said Griffin, who made 10 of his first 13 shots before missing 8 of his final 11. “They lock you down. In the second half — especially the third quarter — we did a poor job of responding.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich credits his veteran core of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili — who have combined for 455 playoff games — for keeping his team’s ship from capsizing.
“We didn’t get rattled, but one would expect that this group wouldn’t,” Popovich said. “They’ve seen a little bit of everything, and they know that anything can happen in an NBA game.”
With Saturday’s record comeback, the Spurs’ Big Three accomplished something it never had before.
Duncan packed the box score with 19 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, the last of which came on a stuff of a would-be Griffin dunk.
Leonard, playing 55 miles from his hometown of Riverside, Calif., had 14 points and nine rebounds. His 3-point play put the polish on the Spurs’ rally, tying the score at 57 with 7:28 left in the third.
By then, momentum had clearly sided with the Spurs. The game was all but decided. The series, too.
“We have a lot of confidence in this team,” Parker said. “We knew we would come back.”
And at last, by the end of a winning day not quite like the others, the Spurs could flip the imaginary sign in their heads: It has now been 39 days without a defeat.
jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN
SPURS VS. CLIPPERS
(Spurs lead best-of-seven series 2-0)
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3:
Game 4: Sunday, @Clippers, 9:30 p.m., TNT
* Game 5: Tuesday, @Spurs, TBA, TNT
* Game 6: Friday, @Clippers, TBA, ESPN
* Game 7: May 27, @Spurs, TBA, TNT
* If necessary
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Spurs 96, Clippers 86: Game 3
Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) takes a hard shot against the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan (06) and Blake Griffin (32) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) reaches to attempt a block against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) reacts during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) reacts after making a shot against Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) grimaces after getting fouled by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) gets bloodied during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (Kin Man Hui / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs Manu Ginobili (20) pass the ball as Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin (32) reaches out to bock him during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard (02) grabs the loose ball after a scramble with Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul (03) during the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Eric Bledsoe (12) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan tries to defend during the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Manu Ginobili (20) runs into Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul (03), left, and Kenyon Martin (02) during the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls out plays during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
Los Angeles Clippers Mo Williams (25) celebrates a three pointer during the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) draws in a rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kenyon Martin (02) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The hand of Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) looms over teammate Tony Parker (09) after Parker scored against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) dodges the hand of Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) while driving to the basket in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Los Angeles Clippers Mo Williams (25) runs into San Antonio Spurs Danny Green (04) and Kawhi Leonard (02), during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) keeps the ball away from the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kenyon Martin (02) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) gets congratulated by teammates Kawhi Leonard (02) and Boris Diaw (33) after a score against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) smiles after a play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) gestures after scoring against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) takes a shot over the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kenyon Martin (02) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) blocks a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) puts up a shot over several Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard (02) and Tim Duncan (21) cover Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul (03) during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker (09) shares a laugh with team members during a break against the Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Manu Ginobili (20) drives through Los Angeles Clippers Kenyon Martin (02) and Blake Griffin (32) during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Surrounded by San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard (02), Boris Diaw (33) and Tim Duncan (21), Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul (03), looks for a way out of the paint during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (21) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin (32) during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (21) celebrates a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Danny Green (04) attempts to pass under pressure from the Los Angeles Clippers’ Mo Williams (25) and Blake Griffin (32) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker (09) reaches to try and block Los Angeles Clippers Mo Williams (25) during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker (09) passes to the perimeter during the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (21) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin (32) during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro (center) appears dejected as his team went down to the Spurs after leading by as much as 22 points in game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) goes for a shot under the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs Manu Ginobili (20) keeps the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers Reggie Evans (30), during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (21) reaches out to try and block a shot by Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul (03), during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Boris Diaw (33) passes the ball to Danny Green (04) during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (21), Kawhi Leonard (02) and Boris Diaw (33) cover Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin (32) during a rebound in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Celebrity Billy Crystal roots for the Los Angeles Clippers as the Spurs played against the Clippers in game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) drives the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul (03) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) attempts to maneuver around Manu Ginobili (20) and Boris Diaw (33) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Danny Green (04) gestures as the Los Angeles Clippers’ Caron Butler (05) reacts to Green’s shot in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) attempts to defend against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) drives around the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan (06) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) drives the hole against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Caron Butler (05) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (left) gestures toward an irate Clippers fan, “three-zero,” as the Spurs rallied from 22 points to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) ponders a call as the Spurs huddle on the court in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich calls for for a foul agaisnt Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan (06), late in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin (32) tries to slap the ball away from San Antonio Spurs Danny Green (04), during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker (09), shoots as Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin (32) tries to block during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
