The Spurs play the Golden State Warriors tonight at 9:30 p.m. (Central).
This is the first of three West Coast road games in three nights.
Join Jeff McDonald and Tim Griffin for a live game chat (below) beginning at 9 p.m.
Tag: Jeff McDonald
Duncan sits as balanced effort stalls Kings
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Spurs 127, Kings 102: April 18, 2012
San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, center, of Argentina, drives to the basket between Sacramento Kings’ Tyreke Evans, left, and Chuck Hayes during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw, right, of France, hits the ball out of the hand of Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal, left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, front left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio spurs center Tiago Splitter, left, of Brazil, is fouled by Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, left, pulls a rebound away from San Antonio spurs center Tiago Splitter, of Brazil during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson, left, goes for the ball after San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, right, of Argentina, was fouled by Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (not shown) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw, right, of France, hits the ball out of the hand of Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, left, defends against Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Spurs won 127-102.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair, left, and Tim Duncan smile while watching the closing minutes of their 127-102 win over the Sacramento Kings in a NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. Duncan did not suit up for the game.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, right, does a reverse layup past San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw, of France, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Spurs won 127-102.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, of Argentina checks for blood after colliding with Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Spurs won 127-102.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)
By Jeff McDonald
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tim Duncan showed up at Power Balance Pavilion on Wednesday night wearing a sport coat, a predictable sartorial choice for the Spurs’ almost-36-year-old power forward with his team playing the final game of a back-to-back-to-back.
Manu Ginobili, the Spurs’ second-oldest player, was a different story.
For the third time in as many nights, Ginobili slipped on his black No. 20 jersey and contributed to a lopsided Spurs victory, this one a 127-102 affair at the expense of the Sacramento Kings.
“I need to play,” Ginobili said after his 17-minute stint. “I need to be on the court. I’m starting to feel good. I need to keep it going.”
The same could be said of the team that signs Ginobili’s paychecks.
Behind a 69-point second half, the Spurs — who in March became one of only six NBA teams to sweep a back-to-back-to-back in this lockout-? shortened season — became the only club to accomplish that twice.
Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter each contributed 17 points off the bench for the Spurs (45-16), who had seven players — including four reserves — in double figures.
All three of the Spurs’ victories on the trip came by at least 21 points.
“It’s difficult,” Splitter said. “It takes a great effort from everybody. But when you win, it’s always fun.”
The Spurs remained in the driver’s seat for first place in the Western Conference, a game in the loss column up on Oklahoma City.
“We’re going to play for it,” Tony Parker said. “But at the same time, the most important thing for Pop and for us is to be fresh when the playoffs start.”
That was the reason behind sitting Duncan for the fifth time this season. With him out, coach Gregg Popovich started a frontcourt of DeJuan Blair and Boris Diaw.
The 34-year-old Ginobili, having totaled 39 minutes in the first two games of the trip, needed minutes.
“In our first game of this trip, Manu played 14 minutes,” Popovich said. “He basically got on the treadmill. He didn’t really do anything. Last night, he played 25 minutes. That’s not very much when a guy has missed 30 games and he’s trying to get in shape.”
If Ginobili’s first game on the trip was akin to light calisthenics, Wednesday’s workout — good for 13 points and five assists — was an MMA bout. A collision with Tyreke Evans opened a small cut inside his right ear.
Ginobili didn’t return to the game after that, though the scrape did not require stitches.
“I’m trying to mix it up,” Ginobili said of his injury laundry list. “Hand, ab, ear. Keep it entertaining.”
For those who recall Ginobili’s fractured elbow last season, there was nothing funny about seeing the Argentine guard briefly prostrate.
“We have to have all three of those guys healthy to have a chance,” Popovich said.
That’s in the playoffs. Wednesday in Sacramento, the Spurs’ Big Three needn’t overexert itself.
The Spurs led 58-57 after a first half Popovich treated as a preseason game — Duncan out, Parker playing 12 minutes, Ginobili logging nine.
In the third quarter, Kawhi Leonard helped them pull away from the Kings, scoring nine of his 13 points in the frame. When Danny Green dropped in a corner 3-pointer with 7:33 left in the third, the Spurs had a 73-63 lead and later pushed it as high as 27.
“To come in without our best player and win by 20 says a lot about this team,” forward Stephen Jackson said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can get the job done, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN
Duncan & Co. bear down in 2nd half, beat Grizzlies
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Spurs 107, Grizzlies 97: April 12, 2012
The Spurs’ Tony Parker drives to the basket under Memphis Grizzlies’ Gilbert Arenas as Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol looks on during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol grab for a rebound during first half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker shoots over Memphis Grizzlies’ Marreese Speights during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili shoots around Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ DeJuan Blair looks for room around Memphis Grizzlies’ Marreese Speights during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili is fouled by Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol as Memphis Grizzlies’ Quincy Pondexter looks on during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan shoots around Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker shoots between Memphis Grizzlies’ O.J. Mayo and Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol grab for a loose ball during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili defends Memphis Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay grabs for a rebound over the Spurs’ Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair, and Kawhi Leonard during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker looks for room under Memphis Grizzlies’ O.J. Mayo during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich yells instructions to the team against the Memphis Grizzlies during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker lies on the floor after getting fouled by Memphis Grizzlies’ Gilbert Arenas during first half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker (from left), Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan stand during the national anthem before the game with the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili grabs a rebound over Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tiago Splitter defends Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph during first half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan shoots around Memphis Grizzlies’ Marreese Speights during second half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay during first half action Thursday April, 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
By Jeff McDonald
Time after time, the Spurs came down the floor in the second half Thursday and pulled out a playbook page from their past.
On five consecutive occasions during a rugged 107-97 victory over Memphis at the ATT Center, the Spurs cleared out for Tim Duncan on the low block and let him go to work.
The play is called “four down.” And Duncan could scarcely recall the last time he’d seen such a steady diet of it.
“It’s been forever,” he said. “Since the old days.”
Fueled in part by four down, Duncan matched a season high with 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and added a pair of blocks for good measure, at times simply willing the Spurs to win over the Grizzlies and steering them clear of a three-game losing streak.
It was a stirring bounce-back win for the Spurs, who a night earlier on their home floor were beaten up by the Lakers’ twin tower tandem of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
After the loss to Los Angeles, Duncan guaranteed his team would put forth a better effort against a Grizzlies club that had won nine of its last 11 and had clobbered the Spurs into submission in last season’s playoffs.
A night after being outrebounded by 27 against L.A., the Spurs (41-16) battled the Grizzlies to a draw on the glass, holding Memphis to just 15 rebounds in the second half, including three in the third quarter.
“We got pushed around and beat up against the Lakers,” forward Stephen Jackson said. “They were the most physical team, and it showed. Today, we hit back.”
Before the game, and again at halftime with the Spurs trailing 49-45, coach Gregg Popovich challenged his team with a test of its toughness.
After the Spurs finished off a 4-0 regular-season sweep of Memphis (34-24), Popovich said he was proud of the way his team rebounded — in more ways than one. He praised the Spurs — who remained tied in the loss column with Oklahoma City for first in the Western Conference — for playing with “physicality” and “a bit of an edge.”
“I was proud of them to come back after an embarrassing loss like that and play the way they did,” he said.
One moment in particular provided the snapshot. When Zach Randolph rose for a shot in the fourth quarter, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili jumped him from behind, coming away with both the ball and Memphis forward’s signature headband as spoils.
Ginobili finished with 20 points, including 10 in the fourth. He was 11 of 11 from the foul line, hitting six free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
For the Grizzlies, it snapped a string of 11 straight games without surrendering 100 points.
Duncan, the Spurs’ venerable captain, expected such a bounce-back after the way the Lakers had handled them so easily.
“I didn’t have to say anything,” Duncan said. “We were disappointed in ourselves. We refocus. We come back. We play better. We always do.”
On a night that could have gone the other way, with the Spurs trailing well into the third quarter, it was Duncan —13 days shy of his 36th birthday —who carried them.
Duncan scored the Spurs’ first eight points of the second half, beginning with a vintage turnaround jumper on Marc Gasol, and totaled 14 points in the third.
Duncan finished 10 of 15 from the field and went to the foul line 11 times, converting eight. Eventually, Memphis coach Lionel Hollins was left with little choice but to double him.
Behind Duncan’s eruption, much of it coming out of “four down” calls, the Spurs took an 82-74 lead into the fourth quarter and never trailed again.
This is the Duncan the Grizzlies did not see in last season’s playoffs. Playing on a chronically sore knee and recently sprained ankle, he averaged a meager 12.7 points and was often exposed defensively in the six-game series.
He’s turned back the clock this season, and Thursday he flipped back the pages of the Spurs’ playbook.
“He was a monster,” Popovich said.
Just like the old days indeed.
jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN