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Spurs rout Bobcats; Ginobili still sits

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Spurs 102, Bobcats 72: March 2, 2012

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) drives to the basket against Charlotte Bobcats’ Byron Mullens (22) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Richard Jefferson (24) shoots over Charlotte Bobcats’ Corey Maggette (50) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) attempts to block Charlotte Bobcats’ Gerald Henderson (15) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) attempts to score against Charlotte Bobcats’ Eduardo Najera (21) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Danny Green (04) defends against Charlotte Bobcats’ Corey Maggette (50) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) shoots over against Charlotte Bobcats’ DeSagana Diop (07) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (09) shoots over Charlotte Bobcats’ D.J. Augustin (14) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) takes aim for a three-pointer against the Charlotte Bobcats in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) attempts to block a shot against Charlotte Bobcats’ Corey Maggette (50) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) gets hits by teammate Gary Neal (14) while defending Charlotte Bobcats’ Byron Mullens (22) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (center) smiles while chatting with Tim Duncan (21) during their game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes up for a shot against Charlotte Bobcats’ Eduardo Najera (21) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Charlotte Bobcats’ Boris Diaw (32) gets an open dunk against the Spurs in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) lines up a three-pointer against Charlotte Bobcats’ Derrick Brown (04) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich points out a call to a game official during their game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs Silver Dancers perform during a timeout in the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) looks to pass against Charlotte Bobcats’ Eduardo Najera (21) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tony Parker (second from right) kids around with teammate Kawhi Leonard (second from left) during their game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) shoots against Charlotte Bobcats’ Boris Diaw (32) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) dunks against the Charlotte Bobcats in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) contends for a rebound against Charlotte Bobcats’ Derrick Brown (04) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

The decision went back and forth for about 48 hours. The Spurs’ coaching staff debated the issue, consulted with the team’s medical staff, flip-flopped on an answer and then flip-flopped again.

In the end, coach Gregg Popovich opted to hold Manu Ginobili out of Friday’s game against Charlotte, even though Ginobili was probably healthy enough to play, even though Ginobili wanted to play.

“We changed our decision every day, 10 times,” Popovich said before the Spurs’ 102-72 victory over the moribund Bobcats. “We don’t know what’s right. We’re just trying to do what’s right.”

Left unsaid, at least publicly: The Spurs were good enough, even without Ginobili, to handle the worst team in the NBA.

With Ginobili in street clothes one more night, recuperating from a strained oblique, Tony Parker scored 15 points and Tim Duncan and Richard Jefferson added 14 apiece to lift the Spurs to their most lopsided victory of the season.

It was the Spurs’ first win at the ATT Center since Feb. 4, a hiatus asterisked by a nine-game rodeo road trip that bled into the All-Star break.

The Spurs (25-11) enjoyed a much easier time Friday than in Wednesday’s return to the building, when they lost 96-89 to Chicago, in part because they played sharper and in part because Charlotte (4-30) isn’t Chicago.

“It was one of those where you just wanted to respect your opponent and get back to work the next day,” Jefferson said.

Heading into the game, more than one Spurs player dropped a pet Popovich phrase: “appropriate fear.”

“Just because their record isn’t the same as our record doesn’t mean they can’t go out and kick our butt if we don’t compete,” Popovich said.

So the Spurs competed, and they got their work done early.

After taking a 51-41 lead at half, the Spurs rarely led by fewer than that many the rest of the way. Ahead by 15 heading to the fourth quarter, Popovich turned the game over to the reserves, who outscored Charlotte 28-13 in the final frame.

Matt Bonner led the Spurs’ bench brigade with 14 points, including four 3-pointers, while rookie Kawhi Leonard had 10 in his return from a calf injury.

“We did a good job sharing the ball, and it led to open shots,” Bonner said.

If it is possible to have a turning point in a 30-point game, it came with 3:32 left in the third quarter.

A brief Spurs scoring drought had allowed the Bobcats’ to creep within nine, and Charlotte’s Corey Maggette was diving to the rim, trying to make it a seven-point game.

Jefferson met him there for a blocked shot, igniting a fast break that led to a Gary Neal 3-pointer and a 67-55 edge for the Spurs.

“It was nothing,” Jefferson said. “Just lucky timing.”

The block was part of an all-around solid night for Jefferson, who added four 3-pointers and seven rebounds.

“I thought he had a darn good defensive game,” Popovich said.

In the end, the Spurs exhausted all the drama in pre-game, with the “will he or won’t he?” surrounding Ginobili’s status.

The star guard has missed 27 of the Spurs’ 36 games this season, first with a broken hand then with the strained oblique.

Ginobili’s next return is imminent, if not official, subject to the rigors of one more practice this morning. Barring a setback, it appears likely he will play in Sunday’s nationally televised game against Denver.

Having survived the most injury-plagued stretch of their season, getting Leonard and Tiago Splitter and T.J. Ford back from injuries that pre-dated the All-Star break, the Spurs are looking forward to at last being at full strength.

“One more guy to go,” Parker said. “I can’t wait.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

New Big 3 propels Spurs to 11th in a row

By Mike Monroe

SALT LAKE CITY — About to send his team out against the Utah Jazz on Monday night at EnergySolutions Arena without a key starter and a valued reserve, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked how his team would cope.

“We just have to play with whoever is left,” he said.

Those players who remained, even without guard Manu Ginobili and center Tiago Splitter, were enough to score a 106-102 victory that extended the NBA’s longest winning streak of the lockout-shortened season to 11 games. It included All-Star point guard Tony Parker, forward Tim Duncan and reserve big man Matt Bonner, who combined for 63 points, each scoring at least 20.

“Yes,” Duncan said, chuckling, poking a bit of fun at Bonner. “We’re a new Big Three.”

Duncan found easy humor after Monday’s game because the Spurs continue to win regardless of circumstance, but he made certain to acknowledge what Bonner was able to do for a team that could ill-afford to play from the inside out without Splitter, who has been so good in the post this season.

“Matty was key for us tonight,” Duncan said. “He was great for us. They have some talented bigs down there, and to be able to spread the floor and continue to score points for us when we really needed it (was big).

“When he plays like that, our team is that much better.”

The biggest shot Monday came from Richard Jefferson. Scoreless through the first three quarters, Jefferson nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner to give the Spurs a 105-100 lead with 6.5 seconds remaining.

“You just have to have a lot of confidence in yourself,” Jefferson said. “I haven’t shot the ball well or played particularly well lately, but you have to be ready when you get the opportunity.”

When the Spurs departed on their rodeo road trip Feb. 6, they were 16-7 but just 3-8 on the road. Monday’s win was their seventh on the nine-game swing that will continue tonight in Portland, and they already are assured the second-most wins since the annual trek began in the 2002-03 season.

That they were able to overcome a 13-point third-quarter deficit resulted from a resolve that Duncan finds gratifying and slightly amazing.

“Presistence,” Duncan said after putting in nearly 38 minutes after logging more than 41 in an overtime victory Saturday against the Clippers. “We stuck with it. We came out in the second half and didn’t play well, and (the Jazz) got themselves a nice lead, but that shows the character of the team that has shown up in the last 10 or 15 games.

“We’re really starting to turn a corner. We kept on playing, kept on making plays, got in the penalty early in the fourth quarter and kept using it.”

Duncan was on the court for all but 1:07 of the fourth quarter, and Parker worked the final 9:05, directing most of the offensive thrust.

“Tony’s an All-Star and did what he’s been doing for us all year: Scoring, finding people, playing tough defense, being a leader,” Popovich said. “We had a lot of people participate tonight. I thought Tim was his same solid self. What he does for us defensively doesn’t show up, but he rebounded, he scored, and we ran the ball through him for a lot of the game.

“Those two guys were magnificent, and the bench was good again.”

Popovich got a surprise spark off the bench from James Anderson, the second-year guard whose playing time has been limited this season. Though he played just 7??1/2 minutes, he made a 3-pointer in the third period during the rally from 13 down and hit a twisting, left-handed hook shot in the fourth period.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

– Associated Press photos

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Spurs 106, Jazz 102: Feb. 20, 2012

Spurs forward DeJuan Blair (45) takes a shot while defended by Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) and guard Gordon Hayward (20) during the first half on an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Spurs forward DeJuan Blair (45) goes for a rebound while defended by Jazz forwards C.J. Miles (34) and Paul Millsap (24) during the first half on an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Spurs center Tim Duncan, right, is defended by Jazz forward Paul Millsap during the first half on a NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) attempts a shot while defended by Jazz center Al Jefferson, left, forwards Paul Millsap, second from right and C.J. Miles (34) during the first half on a NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Jazz center Al Jefferson, left, is defended by Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) during the first half on a NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) attempts a shot while defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner, right, during the second half on a NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Spurs won 106-102. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich argues a call during the second half on a NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Spurs won 106-102. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin argues a call during the first half on a NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Spurs won 106-102. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) and San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) jockey for position during the second half on a NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Spurs won 106-102. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal, left, and San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner (15) reacts after a play during the second half on a NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Spurs won 106-102. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) works to get around Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) during the second half on an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Spurs won 106-102. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Matt Bonner, left, shoots over Utah Jazz’s Paul Millsap during the second half on a NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Spurs won 106-102. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart) (AP)

Game rewind: Duncan turns back clock for another vintage effort

Tim Duncan used to be able to carry the Spurs in a manner befitting one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.

Those glimpses don’t come along as often as they used to. And when they do, they assuredly are something special for Spurs Nation to savor.

Duncan had one of those games Monday night in the Spurs’ 89-84 victory over Memphis, dominating the game inside in the fourth quarter to help nail down the Spurs’ season-best fifth consecutive victory.

“Tim has been playing well lately. He’s feeling good,” Spurs point guard Tony Parker told reporters after the game. “His knee is doing well. Hopefully, he will stay like that.”

The Spurs captain produced 19 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Spurs’ victory.

” That’s a great game from Timmy — 19 and 17,” Parker said, chuckling. “Those are big numbers at 45 years old.”

Duncan, who will turn 36 on April 26, isn’t quite there yet.

And thankfully for his team, he can still occasionally provide the kind of lift that used to be expected.

Here are a few other highlights from the first game of the Spurs’ Rodeo Road Trip.

The game, simply stated: The Spurs employed a tenacious defensive effort and big games from Parker and Duncan to win at Memphis for the second Monday night in a row against the tired Grizzlies.

Where the game was won: After Memphis jumped on the Spurs for a 25-6 run to end the third quarter and claim a six-point lead, the Spurs defense picked up. San Antonio limited Memphis to a season-low 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Grizzlies shot only 20 percent from the field.

Closing it out: The Spurs took the lead for good on Parker’s layup with 5:10 left. After Memphis had closed within one when Danny Green was whistled for goaltending on O.J. Mayo’s short jumper, Mayo missed the enusing foul shot. Duncan then put the game away with a critical three-point play and a dunk that iced the victory.

Player of the game I: It was just like old times for Duncan, who provided 19 points, and season-best totals for the Spurs of 17 rebounds and five blocks. He was especially big in the fourth quarter with nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks to lead the comeback.

Player of the game II: Parker struggled a little in the second half with only six points, but he still finished with team-high totals of 21 points and seven assists.

Player of the game III: Memphis center Marc Gasol bounced back after a struggling performance Sunday in Boston to lead the Grizzlies with 22 points and nine rebounds. He had as many turnovers as points — seven — in the Grizzlies’ loss to the Celtics.

Most unsung: Matt Bonner came off the bench to score eight points and provide three rebounds. And he even came up with some strong defense by running at Rudy Gay’s potential game-tying 3-pointer with 8.9 seconds left.

Attendance: Is some of the bloom off the Grizzlies after their recent struggles that has seen them lose seven of their last nine games? The game attracted a crowd of 13,527 to the FedEx Forum — Memphis’ second-smallest crowd of the season and nearly 1,600 below the crowd the Spurs attracted for a game against them seven nights ago on a similar Monday night.

Did you notice I: Mike Conley’s bank-shot 3-pointer was an answer to a Memphis prayer with 1:10 left to pull them within 87-84. The best show of emotion after that shot by a Spur came by Manu Ginobili, who fell back in his chair in amazement after the lucky shot.

Did you notice II: After failing to play in the first three quarters, Gregg Popovich turned to James Anderson for 7:35 in the fourth quarter. Anderson botched a layup, but later provided a critical 3-pointer that helped kick-start the Spurs offense.

Stat of the game: The Spurs limited Memphis to 11 points in the fourth quarter. It was the Grizzlies’ lowest scoring quarter of the season and the lowest scoring quarter for a Spurs’ opponent.

Stat of the game II: Duncan grabbed 17 rebounds to set the Spurs season high after grabbing 15 and setting the team’s previous high Saturday night against Oklahoma City. It marked his first back-to-back games with at least 15 rebounds since Dec. 16-Dec. 19, 2009 — a period of more than two years.

Stat of the game III: Parker scored 21 points to mark the 12th time in the 21 games since Ginobili was injured that Parker has topped 20 points. And with his 42 points against Oklahoma City Saturday night, his 63 points in the last two games are the most in consecutive games since he went for 69 points in the final two games of the Spurs’ first-round 2009 playoff loss to Dallas.

Stat of the game IV: The Spurs notched 15 assists — tied for their second-lowest total of the season.

Stat of the game V: Sparked by Duncan’s big game inside, the Spurs matched their season high with nine blocked shots. It was previously recorded in their overtime victory over Houston on Jan. 11.

Weird stat of the game: Duncan has blocked at least five shots in 133 playoff and regular season games in his 1,254-game career. His two most recent times before Monday both came against the Grizzlies in games last Feb. 27 and April 23.

Not a good sign: Struggling against Memphis’ ball pressure, the Spurs contributed 19 turnovers to come within one of their season high of 20 against Atlanta on Jan. 25.

Not a good sign II: After hitting their first five 3-pointers of the game Monday, the Spurs finished the game 2 for 11 from beyond the arc.

Best plus/minus scores: Anderson was plus-9, DeJuan Blair was plus-7 and Duncan was plus-6.

Worst plus/minus scores: Bonner was minus-5 and Kawhi Leonard was minus-4. They were the only Spurs players with negative scores.

Quote of the game: “It was tough. A couple of guys were fatigued from playing a lot of heavy minutes. It was one of those games that slipped away from us,” Gay on the Grizzlies’ late collapse after playing Sunday in Boston.

How the schedule stacks up: The Spurs will continue the Rodeo Road Trip Wednesday night in Philadelphia and Saturday night at New Jersey. The Grizzlies will have their next three games at home as they face Minnesota without Kevin Love on Wednesday, Indiana on Friday and Utah on Sunday.

Injuries: Ginobili missed his 21st game (Spurs record 14-7) after undergoing surgery for a fractured fifth left metacarpal. T.J. Ford missed his 16th game (Spurs record 11-5) with a torn left hamstring. Memphis played without starting guard Tony Allen, who missed his second game with a sore left hip and knee. Memphis All-Star forward Zach Randolph missed his 21st game (Grizzlies record 11-10) with a torn right MCL. Memphis forward Darrell Arthur (torn right Achilles) is out for the season.