Samuel Dalembert | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Duncan experiences huge flashback

By Jeff McDonald

Tim Duncan hit a right-handed hook on Samuel Dalembert. A few minutes later, he opted for the left.

Later, he spun Jordan Hill into oblivion on the low block, cleaned up a misconnected alley-oop attempt and dunked home a pass from Gary Neal.

By the time Duncan’s third-quarter trip through time was finished Wednesday, giving the kind of stretch his younger teammates might have read about in their history books, the Spurs had climbed out of a 19-point hole against Houston, on their way to a 99-91 victory.

For Duncan, the most memorable moment of a memorable night happened before the third quarter even began.

“I was just happy to be on the floor, honestly,” Duncan said.

Duncan tallied 16 of his 25 points in a third quarter that began with the Spurs 13 points down, scoring on an array of ? post moves unpacked from moth balls.

There was a chance, given coach Gregg Popovich’s history, Duncan might not have been on the court for the comeback.

In a 105-85 loss at Houston on Dec. 29, with the Spurs (14-9) down 18 at the half and headed nowhere, Popovich chose to sit Duncan the entire second half.

By halftime Wednesday at the ATT Center, point guard Tony Parker was having flashbacks.

“I was thinking Pop was going to pull the plug again,” said Parker, who ended with 24 points. “I’m glad he stuck with us.”

This time, Popovich had a different feel than he had in December at the Toyota Center.

Wednesday, the Rockets (12-10) shot 50 percent in the first half. Kevin Martin scored 21 points in the first two quarters — he finished with 29 — via a shooting pace (7 of 10) he could not possibly sustain. The Spurs, meanwhile, were shooting 35.9 percent, despite some good looks.

“That’s something you have to assess, whether you think guys are playing poorly,” Popovich said, “or if they’re playing well but things aren’t going their way.”

The seeds for Wednesday’s comeback might have been sown Sunday in Dallas, when the Spurs rallied from 20 points down to force overtime before losing 101-100.

“That gave us confidence we could do it,” said forward Matt Bonner, whose 3-pointer with 1:04 left gave the Spurs a 96-91 lead.

This comeback, which earned the Spurs a 2-2 split of the season series with Houston, was different than in Dallas.

Against the Mavericks, the Spurs’ bench played all of the fourth quarter and overtime. Wednesday’s rally was spearheaded by the longest-tenured tandem of teammates in the NBA.

Parker and Duncan had all but one of the Spurs’ field goals in a third quarter they won 28-19.

Mostly, it was Duncan, at age 35 reminding the Rockets that, yes, he once was the league’s MVP.

“It was like he found the Fountain of Youth,” Neal said.

A sign of Duncan’s aggressiveness: He was 7 of 10 from the foul line, the first time he’d tried that many free throws since 2009-10.

When Duncan finished a failed alley-oop from Danny Green to James Anderson — players who were in grade school when Duncan debuted in 1997 — it brought the Spurs within 66-58.

With 7:01 to go, Green hit a corner 3-pointer to give the Spurs an 81-79 lead, their first since 1-0.

“We tried to hang in there,” Parker said. “We just kept fighting.”

The fighting might continue tonight. Popovich has vowed to sit Duncan at least once in four-games-in-five-nights scenarios, which would portend a DNP against New Orleans.

Even after logging 31 minutes Wednesday, Duncan doesn’t think he needs it.

Asked if he would lobby Popovich to play against the Hornets, Duncan appeared nonplussed.

“I didn’t know I needed to lobby,” Duncan said. “I assume I’m playing. I’m assuming I’ll be out there.”

If he has indeed found the Fountain of Youth, Duncan will take a long gulp this morning, and hope for the best tonight.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Photos by Billy Calzada

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Spurs 99, Rockets 91: Feb. 1, 2012

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a layup against the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

University of North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams, wearing glasses, smiles after Kyle Lowry of the Houston Rockets almost ran into him while chasing a ball out of bounds during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Williams was in town to see San Antonio Spurs player Danny Green, who used to play for him. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich questions a call by official Matt Boland during first-half NBA action against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the San Antonio spurs shoots as Samuel Dalembert of the Houston Rockets defends during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Jordan Hill of the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets attempts to rebound as Tim Duncan of the Spurs defends during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the Spurs defends as Samuel Dalembert of the Rockets looks to shoot or pass off during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale screams during NBA action against the Spurs at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs hangs from the rim, as is his custom, before the Spurs are introduced for their game against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

DeJuan Blair of the San Antonio Spurs battles to keep control of the ball against the Houston Rockets during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs (2) battles Luis Scola (4) and Samuel Dalembert of the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan slam dunks during second-half action against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Gary Neal of the Spurs passes off an assist during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tim Duncan smiles from the bench as time winds down on the San Antonio Spurs 99-91 victory over the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Fans cheer as the Spurs’ Tim Duncan grabs a rebound in the final seconds of the Spurs’ 99-91 victory over the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Tony Parker of the Spurs lays up the ball as Samuel Dalembert (21) of the Houston Rockets chases during second-half NBA action on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Duncan-less Spurs falter at end

By Jeff McDonald

HOUSTON — It cannot be said Gregg Popovich did not know what he was doing.

He knew by sitting All-Star forward Tim Duncan on Saturday, a night after the Spurs suffered their first home defeat of the season, he was inviting a losing streak.

Popovich didn’t care. With an eye cast toward the future more than the present or past, the 35-year-old Duncan got his first night off this season in what became a 105-102 loss at Houston.

“This is his fourth game in five nights, and he probably shouldn’t be playing four games in five nights if I want him at the end of the year,” Popovich said. “So, we bite the bullet.”

In the end, the Spurs very nearly bit the Rockets.

Down to one-third of the Big Three, with Manu Ginobili also out with a broken left hand, Tony Parker and Tiago Splitter almost helped the Spurs pull a victory out of thin air at the Toyota Center.

Doing his best Duncan facsimile, Splitter twisted, spun and finished his way to a career-best 25 points off the ? bench. Parker shook off a scoreless first quarter to record his first double-double of the season (24 points, 13 assists).

The Spurs hung around behind that tandem, taking their first edge of the game on Gary Neal’s 3-pointer with 9:56 to play, and leading by as many as five in the fourth.

Kevin Martin scored 25 points to lead the Rockets, Samuel Dalembert had six of his team’s nine blocked shots, and Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic threw in big baskets down the stretch to help Houston (9-7) pull out its sixth straight win.

For the Spurs (10-7), it was a second straight loss.

“They made their shots,” said Spurs forward Richard Jefferson, who missed 9 of his 11. “Everybody wants to make it seem like there’s a vast difference from one game to the next. Whoever hits shots at the end of the game usually wins.”

Like Sacramento’s John Salmons and Tyreke Evans, heroes of the Kings’ 88-86 win in San Antonio a night earlier, Lowry and Dragic supplied Houston’s big buckets.

Lowry hit consecutive jumpers while blanketed by Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard, including a 25-foot rainbow to push Houston’s lead to 99-92 with 3:07 left.

Moments later, Dragic capped a mad-cap scramble with the game’s toughest score.

After Parker answered with a floater, Leonard poked the ball away from Lowry, who saved it long to Dragic near midcourt. Dragic danced along the midcourt line, flirting with a backcourt violation, before salvaging possession.

He scored a 2-foot shotput of a floater as the shot-clock blared.

“That’s the difference in a close ballgame right there,” said Spurs forward Matt Bonner, who drew the start for Duncan and was 5 of 12 from the field for 16 points.

At the end, the Spurs had a chance to force overtime, but Neal’s contested 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.

For the Spurs, it was the third consecutive game decided by three points or less.

Popovich, playing the odds in a compressed, lockout-shortened season, only hopes resting Duncan pays off in the long run. The games are coming “with such rapidity,” Popovich said, that simply managing minutes isn’t enough.

Popovich wants to manage Duncan’s games-played as well.

That’s why, even after Duncan sat all but 5.5 seconds of the fourth quarter against Sacramento, he was inactive in Houston. Since he didn’t bother to bring a sport coat, Duncan wasn’t even on the bench Saturday.

Duncan should be extra well-rested for the Spurs’ next game, in New Orleans on Monday,

“You can probably guess Tim’s not the happiest camper in the world,” Popovich said.

Still, Popovich stuck to his guns, and stuck to a decision made long before the Spurs’ charter touched down in Houston. He would be swayed neither by his captain, nor by the threat of a near-certain losing streak.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

– Associated Press photos

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Rockets 105, Spurs 102 – Jan. 21, 2012

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures to his players in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair (45) and Houston Rockets’ Samuel Dalembert, right, battle for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

Houston Rockets’ Chandler Parsons (25) passes the ball over San Antonio Spurs’ Richard Jefferson (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair (45) bowls over Houston Rockets’ Patrick Patterson (54) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. Blair was called for an offensive foul on the play. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

Houston Rockets’ Patrick Patterson, center, is double-teamed by San Antonio Spurs Gary Neal (14) and Richard Jefferson (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Richard Jefferson chews on his shirt in the final minutes of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) passes the ball under pressure from Houston Rockets’ Samuel Dalembert (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

Houston Rockets’ Patrick Patterson (54) and San Antonio Spurs’ Richard Jefferson (24) go after a loose ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

Houston Rockets Courtney Lee (5) and Jordan Hill (27) watch the final seconds of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale questions a call in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

Houston Rockets’ Patrick Patterson (54) and San Antonio Spurs’ Richard Jefferson (24) go after a loose ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) tries to maintain control of the ball as Houston Rockets’ Kevin Martin, left, pursues during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) shoots over Houston Rockets’ Courtney Lee (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)

Parker, Duncan provide finishing touch for Spurs

By Jeff McDonald
jmcdonald@express-news.net

Time went by, and the minutes kept coming, then came overtime. By the end of a much-needed 101-95 Spurs victory Wednesday, Tim Duncan was sweating into his 73rd minute in two nights, logging the kind of playing time that, at age 35, had become a faded memory of younger era.

Asked afterward if he could give another 35 minutes today, if the schedule required it, Duncan answered with a mix of wry wit and realism.

“I think I could,” he said. “But my body might think differently.”

Duncan was never one for gaudy numbers or flashy statistics, and Father Time has robbed him of what little athleticism Mother Nature gave him. Even his signature banker is no longer automatic.

Yet what Duncan still has, hidden behind those blank-stare eyes yet on display minute-by-minute at the ATT Center in a game the Spurs absolutely had to have, is a burning desire to win.

Against Houston, Duncan filled his box score with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three steals. In the process, he passed Larry Bird for 27th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, laughing that the go-ahead points came at the foul line, a place never all that kind to him.

It was the little things Duncan did that separated him against the Rockets and eventually shoved the Spurs to victory.

It was wrestling with Sam Dalembert for a key rebound. Hitting Tony Parker on a perfectly timed backdoor cut. That one perfect piece of footwork to keep Kyle Lowry from a sure layup in overtime.

“Tim’s a competitor,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of the two-time MVP. “Just because he’s a little older doesn’t mean he’s not going to compete.”

When Manu Ginobili went out with a broken hand, Popovich scoffed at the idea it would be up to his immediate replacement — either James Anderson or Gary Neal or Kawhi Leonard — to pick up the slack.

It was Duncan and Parker, the other two spokes of the Spurs’ Big Three, who would need to raise their games. Wednesday, they delivered, steadying the Spurs (7-4) through some unsure moments to their seventh home victory in as many dates.

For the second game in a row, Parker threw in a season high, this time going for 28 points with eight assists. The 29-year-old point guard played more than 45 minutes, a night after giving almost 36 in a 106-103 loss in Milwaukee.

“He’s unbelievable, man,” Duncan said, with a tinge of envy. “He’s going to be worn out tomorrow.”

Leonard, the rookie from San Diego State, earned his first career start at shooting guard. He replaced Neal, who was moved to the bench upon news that backup point guard T.J. Ford will miss the next four to six weeks with a torn left hamstring.

Leonard finished with 11 points, his third consecutive double-figure game, and eight rebounds and survived a trial by fire chasing Houston scoring machine Kevin Martin.

Martin finished 18 points, but had to work for them. Lowry had 22 points for Houston (3-7). Luis Scola scored 20, but only six after the first quarter.

With both teams having played the night before — Houston won in Charlotte — overtime seemed almost cruel. It seemed especially unkind to Duncan.

Clearly down to his last drop of fuel, Duncan missed his first four tries in OT and was 1 of 4 from the foul line.

Richard Jefferson hit the game’s biggest shot, a corner 3-pointer with 1:09 left in OT that gave the Spurs a 94-92 lead. Moments later, Duncan notched his only basket of the extra frame with 35.8 seconds left, when he spun Dalembert into a pretzel to eke out a shot on the block.

There are nights Duncan can feel the fingers of Father Time. He will probably feel them this morning.

He says he has not heard the whispers, from elsewhere in the NBA, that perhaps his game is not what it used to be.

“I don’t really care,” Duncan said. “I’m just trying to play the game, go out and see what I’ve got.”

Wednesday night, he had just enough.

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Spurs 101, Rockets 95 OT – 20120111

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs (21) goes up to score the the field game that won the game for the Spurs as Samuel Dalembert of the Houston Rockets defends during the overtime period of NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets attempts to pass off as Tony Parker, left, and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs reach for the ball during fourth-quarter NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

DeJuan Blair of the San Antonio Spurs is determined during second-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tony Parker of the Spurs passes off as Jordan Hill, left, and Chase Bodiner of the Rockets defend during first-half NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs hangs from the rim as is his custom before the team’s game against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots as Patrick Patterson of the Houston Rockets defends during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled by Goran Dragic, right, of the Houston Rockets as he successfully shoots during NBA first-half action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. Splitter was able to make the ensuing free throw. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs, in white, is fouled by Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets as he makes a shot during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. Splitter was able to convert on the ensuing free throw. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs makes a reverse layup during first-half NBA action against the Houston Rockets at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)