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Korver, Watson provide lift to lead Friday’s S&Ds

With reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose struggling through a miserable game, the Chicago Bulls needed a lift.

Kyle Korver and C.J. Watson were ready from the bench.

Korver provided 17 points including five 3-pointers and Watson added 16 points and nine assists in the Bulls’ 96-86 overtime victory over the Heat.

Watson’ who hit a game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation said the bench was ready to contribute when needed.

“Our team all supports each other, whether we play good or bad, nobody is mad about playing time,” Watson told ESPN Chicago. “It’s why we’re so successful.”

The victory boosted the Bulls’ lead for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference to four games over the second-place Heat.

“I’m not worried about my stats or anything,” Rose the Associated Press. “Can I make up excuses? Yeah. But you know me, I’m not going to use no excuse. My shots weren’t falling. Shots I normally hit, I wasn’t hitting. My teammates had my back. I’m happy I have them on my team.”

Their big efforts boosted the Bulls another step closer to the top seed in the playoffs, which earning both listing in Friday’s Studs and Duds.

STUDS

Chicago G Kyle Korver: Came off the bench to score 17 points on 6-for-8 field goal shooting, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range in the Bulls’ overtime victory over Miami. Korver was plus-24.

Chicago G C.J. Watson: Provided 16 points off the bench, added nine assists, three steals and was a game-high plus-38 in the Bulls’ comeback victory over Miami.

San Antonio F Tim Duncan: Matched his season-high with 28 points (including 20 in the second half), grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked two shots in the Spurs’ victory over Memphis.

Detroit C Greg Monroe: Went for 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and was a game-high plus-31 in the Pistons’ triumph at Charlotte.

Los Angeles Clippers F Blake Griffin: Went for 19 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and was a game-high plus-23 in the Clippers’ victory at Minnesota.

Golden State G Klay Thompson: Produced 24 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals and was plus-1 in the Warriors’ loss to Dallas.

DUDS

Chicago G Derrick Rose: Had a miserable return as he hit only 1 of 13 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-27 in the Bulls’ overtime victory over Miami.

Minnesota F Derrick Williams: Clanked through a 1-for-7 shooting effort with four turnovers and was a game-worst minus-17 in the Timberwolves’ loss to the Clippers.

Miami G Mike Miller: Went 1 for 9 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-9 in the Heat’s overtime loss to Chicago.

Los Angeles Clippers G Eric Bledsoe: Struggled through a 2-for-8 shooting night with three turnovers in the Clippers’ victory at Minnesota.

Minnesota G Jose Barea: Went 4 of 9 from the field with seven turnovers and was minus-15 in the Timberwolves’ loss to the Clippers.

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 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

Yahoo story broaches TD’s eventual retirement

It’s a day that Spurs Nation is dreading.

Tim Duncan’s retirement will be an eventuality — like it is with every professional athlete.

As he has experienced a renaissance this year in his 15th season, Duncan has showed no signs of slowing down.

An intensive and rigorous off-season conditioning program has helped him improve his scoring and rebounding averages from last year.

Duncan’s dunks are up as it appears he is more spry. The Spurs captain recently had an 18-game stretch of consecutive double-figure scoring games. It came during a time when the Spurs were the league’s hottest team over the last two months.

Yahoo Sports NBA writer Marc Spears recently talked to Duncan about his retirement, a subject that Duncan told him.”

Duncan told Spears that he hasn’t had any health concerns in the lockout season.

“I thought I prepared well and was in great shape coming in,” Duncan told Yahoo. “I’ve felt good throughout.”

The Spurs’ recent surge has helped keep Duncan’s competitive juices flowing with 26 victories in their last 31 games. He’s seen the team’s core rebuilt with nine players with a maximum of two seasons of NBA experience, including three rookies.

“It’s fun having a bunch of new guys, seeing them interact,” Duncan said. “You feel like the old guy sometimes. But I got some old heads with me, too, so it’s good.”

Those would include veteran teammates Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who has the longest coaching tenure in the league.

Parker and Popovich had some interesting comments for Spears about Duncan’s eventual retirement.

“He doesn’t know how many years he wants to play,” Parker told Yahoo. “But it’s going to be weird the day he retires. It’s going to be very different in San Antonio.”

It also promises to be an emotional day for Popovich, Duncan’s only professional head coach.

“We’ve been together for so long. Fifteen years now,” Popovich told Yahoo. “It has gone through my head, but I don’t allow myself to think about what that’s going to mean. I’ll just deal with it when it happens.”

Duncan is making $21.1 million per season in his contract which will expire after the season and it’s hard to believe that he won’t re-sign with the team.

If his performance approaches this season, he likely has several more years of productive play in front of him.