Tag: Los Angeles Clippers

Ginobili practices five-on-five

By Mike Monroe

Before he would allow injured two-time All-Star guard Manu Ginobili to suit up for another game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided he wanted to see him go through a full practice, including a five-on-five scrimmage.

Such a practice took place Saturday morning at the Spurs’ training facility, but Ginobili’s availability for tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets at the ATT Center officially remains a game-time decision.

If you ask his teammates, however, Ginobili appears ready.

“He played great today in practice,” forward Matt Bonner said. “He went live and went hard, and he’s doing what Manu does — playing with a lot of energy and making hustle plays, scoring and passing.”

Bonner knew better than to guess Popovich’s decision about Ginobili’s availability.

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” he said, “but he looked good today is all I can say.”

Ginobili missed 22 games with a fractured fifth metacarpal in his left hand, an injury incurred Jan. 2 in a loss to the Timberwolves in Minneapolis. He returned for four games before suffering a strained left oblique in the Spurs’ overtime victory over the Clippers at Staples Center on Feb. 18.

The Spurs have won 18 of 27 games without their high-energy starting shooting guard.

Talking practice: Practice time has been a rare commodity during the compressed, 66-game season. But the seven-game post-All-Star break homestand that covers 18 days already has given the Spurs time for three practice sessions.

“With the schedule as it is, we have two weeks at home, so we’ll probably have practices every other day,” said guard Gary Neal. “It’s good. You come in here and get up a good sweat and go over some defensive concepts and get those fresh in your mind and get ready to play the next game.”

The practice time has been especially important for players coming off injuries. In addition to Ginobili, Tiago Splitter and Kawhi Leonard were able to regain some rhythm and continuity.

“It’s a little bit of normalcy these two weeks while we’re at home to take advantage of that time and work on some things in practice,” Bonner said. “It’s also good for guys coming off injuries. It gives them a chance to try and get their rhythm back.”

Statistical minutiae: The 102-72 victory over the Bobcats on Friday night was the Spurs’ largest margin of victory this season. The scoring in Friday’s game was split evenly between starters and bench players, 51 apiece. The Spurs had a season-high 55 rebounds against the Bobcats.

mikemonroe@express-news.net
Twitter.com: @Monroe_SA

Fired-up Richardson erupts for nine 3s, leads Saturday’s S&Ds

Here’s a warning for  rival fans who might taunt Orlando guard Jason Richardson: he listens.

After being berated by a rival fan early in the game, Richardson erupted for 28 of his 31 points in the second half to lead the Magic’s 99-94 victory at Milwaukee.

A courtside spectator yelled ”you’re washed up” at Richardson during the first quarter.

Richardson told  reporters after the game that he was listening — particularly after missing his first three  shots  during that first quarter.

“I’m a competitor,” Richardson told the Associated Press. “I love when people talk trash to me.”

But this particular taunt rubbed Richardson the wrong way.

“When you go past the line where I thought the guy did,” he said, “I had to show the guy I wasn’t.”

Richardson hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to spark the Magic’s comeback.

“People think that once you turn a certain age, you don’t have it anymore. You don’t have the certain style of play you used to play,” Richardson said. “I’m still young, so I had to show the guy I still had energy.”

Enough, that is, to lead Saturday’s Studs and Duds.

STUDS

Orlando G Jason Richardson: Erupted for  31 points in 25 minutes, including nine 3-pointers, and was a team-best plus-19 in the Magic’s victory at Milwaukee. Richardson was the second player to top 30 points in 26 minutes or less this season.

Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Tallied  18 points, 14 assists, five rebounds, two steals and was plus-28 in the Clippers’ victory at Charlotte.

New York G Jeremy Lin: Another night, another big performance as he directed the Knicks’ fourth straight victory. Lin tallied 20 points, six rebounds, eight assists, was plus-5 and hit a couple of clutch foul  shots to lead the Knicks’ victory at Minnesota.

Minnesota F Kevin Love: Went for 32 points and 21 rebounds — his second 30-20 of the season and sixth of his career — in the Trail Blazers’ loss to New York.

Portland F LaMarcus Aldridge: Notched 33 points and 12 rebounds and was plus-1 in the Trail Blazers’ overtime loss at Dallas.

DUDS

Charlotte F Reggie Williams: Clanked through a 1-for-12 shooting effort with two points and was minus-17 in the Bobcats’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Milwaukee G Brandon Jennings: Went 3 of 14 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-9 in the Bucks’ loss to Orlando.

New Jersey F Marshon Brooks: Struggled with a 2-for-10 shooting night, scored seven points, had six turnovers and was a team-worst minus-19 in the Nets’ loss to San Antonio.

Sacramento G Tyreke Evans: Hit 1 for 9 from the field with four turnovers and was minus-9 in the Kings’ loss to Phoenix.

New Jersey F Shawne Williams: Clanked through a 1-for-9 shooting night and was minus-14 in the Nets’ loss to the Spurs.

‘Linsanity’ reaching new heights after S&D effort over Lakers

He might be only a one-week wonder, but what a week it has been for  New York guard Jeremy Lin.

Lin capped a remarkable four-game stretch by scoring a career-high 38 points and dishing off seven assists to lead the Knicks’ 92-85 victory over  the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night. 

It was the fourth straight 20-point effort for Lin, who had been waived twice earlier in the season before surfacing with the Knicks after a brief stint in the NBA’s Developmental League. Earlier in the day, he was selected as ABC News’ “Person of the Week.”

The victory was the fourth straight for the Knicks since Lin has taken over point guard duties with leading scorers Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony out of the lineup. It also snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Lakers and Kobe Bryant, who scored 34 points in a losing cause.

“I didn’t try to see this game as any different,” Lin told the Associated Press. “I just try to make sure that when I get there on the floor, I play as hard as I can and try to do everything I can to help the team win.

“The only thing we established tonight is four in a row. Now we try to go for five tomorrow. I’m not too worried about proving anything to anybody. As a team we’re growing and trying to build on the momentum.”

Bryant, who dismissed Lin a night earlier in Boston, had another disdainful comment for Lin and the Knicks after the victory.

“Enjoy it,” Bryant told reporters after the game. “They’ll receive judgment next season.”

But for at least one night, Lin sat at the top of the NBA’s Studs and Duds. He’s the first Harvard product to ever receive the designation.

STUDS

New York G Jeremy Lin: Erupted for 38 points in 38 minutes, dished off seven assists, grabbed four rebounds and two steals and was plus-8 in the Knicks’ victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki: Went for 33 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and was plus-22 in the Mavericks’ triumph at Minnesota.

Portland G Jamal Crawford: Came off the bench to notch 31 points, eight assists and was plus-14 in the Trail Blazers’  victory at New Orleans.

Atlanta F Josh Smith: Filled the stat sheet for 23 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and was plus-8 in the Hawks’ victory at Orlando.

Minnesota F Kevin Love: Went for 32 points — including 14 of 14 from the foul line — 12 rebounds and three assists in the Timberwolves’ loss to Dallas.

DUDS

Minnesota G Ricky Rubio: Clanked through a 2-for-8 shooting night with four turnovers and was minus-18 in the Timberwolves’ loss to Dallas.

Orlando F Hedo Turkoglu: Went 4 for 9 from the field with six turnovers in the Magic’s loss to Atlanta.

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Clanked through a 2-of-10 shooting performance with five turnovers and was minus-16 in the Celtics’ loss at Toronto.

Philadelphia G Jrue Holiday: Went 2 of 8 from the field with five turnovers in the Sixers’ loss  to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Indiana F Paul George: Struggled through a 2-for-13 shooting night with three turnovers  and was a team-worst minus-9 in the Pacers’ loss  at Memphis.