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Spurs 87, Jazz 81: Game 4
FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Manu Ginobili reacts after making a three pointer during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Tony Parker talk with former Spur Sean Elliott during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 87-81, and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (from left), Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Cory Joseph, and Matt Bonner joke while on the bench Jazz’s during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker talks with the Jazz’s Devin Harris during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard surround the Jazz’s Paul Millsap during the first half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner share a laugh during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 87-81, and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Matt Bonner shoots over the Jazz’s Derrick Favors during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tiago Splitter shoots around Jazz’s Enes Kanter during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker drives to the basket around the Jazz’s Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili gets through the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward during the first half of game four in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Gary Neal drives around Jazz’s Jamaal Tinsley during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker drives to the basket around Jazz’s Derrick Favors during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobli, Kawahi Leonard and Gary Neal stop the Jazz’s Devin Harris during the first half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. Neal was called for a foul on Harris on the play. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker (from left), Cory Joseph, and Tim Duncan joke while on the bench during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan hugs teammate DeJuan Blair during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (from left), Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Cory Joseph, and Matt Bonner joke while on the bench during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili shoots around the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward as Jazz’s Paul Millsap looks on during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tiago Splitter ties up Utah Jazz Paul Millsap for a jumpball during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. In back is DeMarre Carroll. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan hugs teammate Spurs’ Matt Bonner during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Tony Parker greet Stephen Jackson during a break in the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 87-81, and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Stephen Jackson and Tim Duncan clamp down on the Jazz’s Derrick Favors during the second half of game four in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan hugs Jazz’s Gordon Hayward after Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker drives to the basket as the Jazz’s Al Jefferson looks on during the second half of game four in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard grabs a rebound from the Jazz’s Derrick Favors during the second half of game four in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich reacts after a play during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan talks with the team during a break in the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 87-81, and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili talk to each other during a break in the first half of game four in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Tony Parker celebrate after a score during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker land in the crowd after her was fouled by the Jazz’s Devin Harris during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan pass the ball as the Jazz’s Derrick Favors tries to defend during the first half of game four in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with Tiago Splitter during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 87-81, and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (from left) and Manu Ginobili are met by teammate Tim Duncan as they walk off the court during a second half timeout of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are all smiles while on the bench during second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan reacts after a play during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tim Duncan goes for a rebound against the Jazz’s Paul Millsap during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili looks for room around the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Tiago Splitter grabs a rebound from Utah Jazz Jamaal Tinsley during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili drives as Tiago Splitter screens the Jazz’s Alec Burks during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili looks for room around the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Gary Neal drives around the Jazz’s Jamaal Tinsley during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Members of the Spurs talk during a a timeout in the second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili and Matt Bonner cover the Jazz’s Paul Millsap during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili talk near mid court during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 87-81, and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)
The Spurs’ Gary Neal drives around the Jazz’s Jamaal Tinsley during first half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Members of the Spurs talk during a a timeout in the second half action of Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz Monday May 7, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 87-81. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
By Jeff McDonald
SALT LAKE CITY — EnergySolutions Arena was howling. The Utah Jazz, down on the canvas just moments before, were surging. In one brilliant last gasp, they sensed a chance to extend the game, the series, their season.
Then, Manu Ginobili was gift-wrapped a chance to put an end to all of that.
As Ginobili glided alone toward the basket late in the Spurs’ 87-81 Game 4 victory Monday, no defender within 50 feet of him, Stephen Jackson hoped his teammate recalled the lesson of Game 1.
“The older you get, the more you understand,” Jackson said. “Two points is two points.”
Meaning: No dunks, Manu. Just lay it up. Nice and easy-like.
Ginobili went the safe route for the clinching basket, even as the Spurs occasionally lived dangerously on the way to the second round.
With the victory, the Spurs salted away their first postseason sweep since the 2007 NBA Finals and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for just the second time since 2008.
Now, the Spurs head home to await — perhaps for a week or more — the winner of the Memphis-Los Angeles Clippers series.
“We didn’t accomplish anything,” point guard Tony Parker said. “We just got past the first round. We can be happy, but tomorrow’s a new day.”
Ginobili had 17 points to spearhead a 57-10 edge for the Spurs’ bench and help overcome the first mediocre nights of the playoffs from Parker (11 points, 4 of 14) and Tim Duncan (11 points, three blocks).
Ginobili hit his first three 3-pointers of the series during a 15-0 second-half run that helped the Spurs build a 21-point lead with 6:17 to go.
At that point, Utah center Al Jefferson seemed a prophet. Maybe somebody could beat the Spurs, but it wouldn’t be the Jazz.
Then, with the Spurs’ key players on the bench — presumably to be mothballed until the second round — Utah sprang to life.
Jefferson finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Paul Millsap had 10 and 19. Derrick Favors, shifted into the starting lineup as Utah coach Ty Corbin opted to go jumbo, had 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
“They junked it up,” Duncan said. “They got real physical and real active, and found a way to make plays and get back into the game.”
With 27.9 seconds to go, the Jazz were within four points and had possession.
Then, Jackson slapped the ball free from Millsap and Parker lofted a football pass to Ginobili at the other end of the floor.
Ginobili was all alone, much as he had been in Game 1 when he botched a wide-open dunk attempt that opened him to team-wide ridicule for more than a week.
This time, he went for the soft, safe layup.
“I didn’t want to risk anything, really,” Ginobili said.
That gave the Spurs an 85-79 lead with 18.9 seconds to go. The series, for all intents and purposes, was over.
In a sense, Ginobili’s easy-does-it lay-in was a metaphor for the Spurs’ close-out victory, which wound up being by far the narrowest of a lopsided series.
“We just try to get the job done,” said Jackson, whose team won the first three games by a combined 58 points. “Not trying to be pretty.”
The Spurs put the clamps on Game 4 by holding the Jazz scoreless for a span of 8:18 in the second half, building a cushion big enough to withstand their last big hurrah.
They won despite shooting 37.8 percent — their worst showing of the series — in part by holding Utah to 36.4 percent, including an 0-for-13 effort from 3-point range.
The Spurs also got solid bench contributions from center Tiago Splitter (10 points, three steals) and guard Gary Neal (11 points, 4-of-6 shooting).
Late in the game, when it finally came time to put an end to the madness, Ginobili and the Spurs demonstrated a new take on old math.
Two points is two points. And four wins is a sweep.
jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN
SPURS WIN BEST-OF-7 SERIES 4-0
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3
Game 4:
SWEEPING SPURS
The Spurs have swept seven series in their NBA postseason history:
1990: Defeated Denver 3-0 in first round (lost to Portland 4-3 in Western semifinals)
1995: Defeated Denver 3-0 in first round (lost to Houston 4-2 in Western finals)
1999: Defeated L.A. Lakers 4-0 in Western semifinals, defeated Portland 4-0 in Western finals (beat New York 4-1 in NBA Finals)
2004: Defeated Memphis 4-0 in first round (lost to L.A. Lakers 4-2 in Western semifinals)
2007: Defeated Cleveland 4-0 in NBA Finals
2012: Defeated Utah 4-0 in first round
