San Antonio Spurs | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Spurs’ prodigious depth denies Kings

By Jeff McDonald

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – An hour before tipoff at Power Balance Pavilion on Wednesday, Spurs center Tiago Splitter went through a series of exercises with team strength coach Matt Herring.

The object was to test Splitter’s balky back, which had kept him out of four consecutive games. After a workout that was heavy on sweat but not on tears, Splitter pronounced himself good to go.

“Everything’s in place,” Splitter said. “I feel good now.”

The same might be said of the team that signs his paychecks.

Playing with a full deck for the first time in 11 days, the Spurs used their prodigious depth to outlast Sacramento, 117-112, extending the NBA’s longest active winning streak to six.

Having endured their most grueling stretch of the lockout-sardined season, adding five wins to the ledger in six nights, the Spurs now have a chance to catch their breath.

Wednesday, the Spurs’ youngest set of legs helped get them over the top.

Kawhi Leonard, a 20-year-old rookie small forward apparently too young to tire, had 19 points and nine rebounds, and supplied enough energy to power the whole of northern California.

“I just try to do what I can to contribute and bring energy,” Leonard said.

It was also another big night for the Spurs’ venerable Big Three, with Manu Ginobili scoring 20 points, Tim Duncan adding 18 points and eight rebounds and Tony Parker providing a 10-point, 10-assist double-double.

Heading into the five-game gauntlet, the Spurs (35-14) couldn’t have envisioned a sweep. Overall, the Spurs have won nine of their last 10, and 13 of their last 15 on the road.

“This is as deep as I’ve ever had a team here,” said Duncan, in his 15^th season, “and we’re using everybody possible.

Wednesday, the Spurs got key first-half contributions from players who, either by age or inactivity, were less affected by the compressed schedule.

Leonard was a sparkplug, offering active minutes on both ends. Splitter had seven points and six rebounds in the first half. Even backup point guard Patrick Mills, playing his second game since joining the team, got to the act with seven points in six minutes.

In the first quarter, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich deployed 11 players. Nine of them scored.

“I don’t think we’d be hanging in like are now last year, with this kind of schedule,” Popovich said. “We didn’t have this kind of depth.”

Behind 28 points from Isaiah Thomas and 25 from DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings (17-33) hung around, though never led. Each time Sacramento would sneak within striking distance, however, the Spurs had an answer.

After a Thomas 3-pointer brought Sacramento within one again midway through the fourth, Gary Neal found Parker for a layup. That sparked a 15-6 run that put the Spurs ahead by 10 with 2:18 to go.

“Down the stretch in the fourth quarter, our experience probably showed,” Popovich said.

For Popovich, the quest over the season’s jam-packed final month is to somehow balance the need to whip his team into playoff shape with the need to keep older players fresh.

“There’s no formula for it,” Popovich said. “You just do the best you can.”

But first for the Spurs, some downtime. And perhaps a nap.

They play just once in the next four nights, Saturday at home against Indiana. Even so, Popovich anticipates several short-handed nights between now and the postseason.

“You just roll with whoever is available,” Popovich said. “There’s no other choice.”

Wednesday night in Sacramento, for the first time in a while, that meant everyone.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

1 of 8 | Share

Spurs 117, Kings 112: March 28, 2012

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, left, and Kawhi Leonard center, question official Mike Callahan about a foul call during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, center, tries to pull down a rebound against San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, left, and Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans scramble for the ball during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair, left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, left, leans in for the layup past Sacramento Kings’ Donte Greene, center, and Chuck Hayes during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

Sacramento Kings guard Marcus Thornton, left, is fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, right, leans around Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins to make a pass during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

Game rewind: Jackson follows well-traveled road for his S.A. return

Before the game, newest Spurs acquisition Stephen Jackson said he’s been enjoying catching up with his favorite San Antonio restaurants and landmarks.

Jackson said that the city hasn’t changed much since he left in 2003, only a few weeks after the Spurs claimed their second NBA championship with the mercurial forward helping to shoot them to the title.

“I know my around,” Jackson said. “I’ve been to Papadeaux’s a couple of times. I’ve been to the Quarry and went to the movies. There’s not too much that’s different. The highways have changed a little bit, but everything is still the same.”

Once he got into the lineup, his basketball production followed that pattern, too.

Jackson started hot by hitting his first two shots that helped stake San Antonio’s early run to an impressive 116-100 victory over Minnesota.

It was almost like he had never left. Jackson hit 3 of 4 3-pointers en route to 16 points. It was the same kind of feathery touch he showed in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the Spurs’ title-clinching victory in 2003 in his last home game as a Spur.

“We won and that’s what I’m all about,” Jackson said about his Wednesday night effort. “I’m glad to be here on a team that wins. It feels good to finally get back on the court and get this first home game out of the way.”

In the nine years since he left, Jackson has turned into a more mature veteran who will turn 34 next month. And it appears he’s quickly adapted to the role that Gregg Popovich envisioned for him when he was acquired for Richard Jefferson, a conditional 2012 first-round draft pick and the rights to T.J. Ford last week.

“I did not have too many jitters because I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Jackson said. “To be able to get out there and win this game is great.”

After three days off, the Spurs showed little rustiness as they started with an impressive victory that kicks off their most arduous stretch of the season to date.

Here’s how they did it.

The game, simply stated: After being pounded inside by the Timberwolves in two previous games, the Spurs were more determined inside and dominated the game in the paint as they cruised to a comfortable victory that was marred by Tony Parker’s hamstring injury.

Where the game was won: Playing without widebody Nikola Pekovic inside, the Spurs exploited his absence quickly. They grabbed five rebounds before Minnesota got one and jumped to a quick 4-0 lead on a Tim Duncan dunk and a fastbreak alley-0op basket from Duncan to Danny Green to take control.

Putting it away: The Spurs erupted on a 14-3 surge to finish the first quarter that coincided with Jackson’s entry into the game. Jackson punctuated the run with a fastbreak dunk on a feed from Manu Ginobili and a 3-pointer on another pass from Ginobili that finished the quarter.

The finisher: After Love’s layup had pulled Minnesota within 78–65 with 3:11 left in the third quarter, the Spurs hit the Timberwolves with a 15-6 surge capped by Tiago Splitter’s dunk on a pass from Ginobili that boosted them to a 91-69 lead with 54.3 seconds left that was their biggest lead in the game to that point.

Player of the game I: Duncan had another vintage effort with game-high totals of 21 points, 15 rebounds and four assists. More remarkably, he posted his numbers in only 24:19 and didn’t play after he went out with 2:15 left in the third quarter.

Player of the game II: Jackson delivered strong shooting with three of the Spurs’ seven 3-pointers. He finished with 16 points, three rebounds and two steals in 21:58.

Player of the game III: Kawhi Leonard hooked up with Love on several occasions defensively and played well. He also provided 16 points and nine rebounds in the kind of performance that might earn him a permanent starting position — sooner rather than later.

Most unsung: With Tony Parker going down with a hamstring injury with 8:03 left in the second quarter, Gary Neal and Ginobili were thrust into the point guard role. Neal overcame a slow start to finish with 16 points, four steals and three assists. Ginobili provided nine points, eight assists and four rebounds.

Attendance: Bruce Bowen’s jersey retirement night was bound to be one of the most anticipated nights of the regular season. So it wasn’t a surprise that the Spurs attracted another sellout crowd of 18,581 at the ATT Center. It was the Spurs’ 16th capacity crowd in 22 home games this season, including 13 of their last 15 games and ninth in a row. Their last non-capacity game came Feb. 2 against New Orleans. They are averaging 18,305, a capacity rate of 98.5 percent for the season.

Did you notice I: Bruce Bowen and his sons were sitting in the courtside seats. But early in the first quarter, the Bowen boys got a little overexcited and spilled one of their drinks. It made their dad take care of some family business before his jersey was hoisted to the rafters of the ATT Center.

Did you notice II: Popovich appeared to have some well-placed verbal salvos for DeJuan Blair, who had two late turnovers including an almost comical pass that appeared intended for the fans in the fifth row sitting behind the Spurs’ basket. Whatever Popovich said appeared to get the point across, as well as prompt some snickers from Duncan and Splitter along the San Antonio bench.

Stat of the game I: After being outrebounded by an average of 10 in two previous losses to Minnesota, the Spurs tallied a 56-41 rebounding advantage Wednesday night . Their total Wednesday night was a season high.

Stat of the game II: The Spurs claimed their fourth victory in their last five games.

Stat of the game III: Minnesota’s Kevin Love notched 17 points and 12 rebounds to record his league-leading 40th double-double.

Stat of the game IV: The Spurs grabbed six offensive rebounds before Minnesota grabbed its first offensive carom and had a 17-9 edge on offensive rebounds in the game.

Stat of the game V: After struggling recently from the foul line, the Spurs hit 76 percent from the line. Coming into Wednesday’s game, the Spurs had shot 62.5 percent from the line or less in four of five games and 66.7 percent or less in six of their last nine games.

Stat of the game VI: Jackson hit five of his first six shots before hitting on only one of his last three over the final 20 minutes of the game.

Stat of the game VII: Minnesota has not won in San Antonio in 15 games, a streak dating back to Jan. 14, 2004.

Weird stat of the night: Duncan produced 21 points and 15 rebounds in 24:19. It marked only the second time in his career he has produced at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in less than 25 minutes. The only other time in his career came on Feb. 26, 2004, when he notched 22 points and 17 rebounds in 25 minutes against Dallas.

Weird stat of the night II: Before leaving with his hamstring injury, Parker played only 10:29. It marked only the sixth time in his career he played in 11 minutes in a game. It was his lowest playing time since notching 11 minutes against Portland on Nov. 6, 2009.

Weird stat of the night III: James Anderson scored seven points in 16:49. It was his biggest scoring effort since he scored 11 points in 34:45 in the blowout loss at Portland on Feb. 21.

Weird stat of the night IV: The Spurs well on their way to breaking their season mark for points (122) and assists (31) midway through the fourth quarter. But they were shut out over the final 3:26 and didn’t have an assist over the final 4:53, finishing with 116 points and 29 assists.

Not a good sign: Other than the obvious injury to Parker, Neal struggled shooting in the first half before rebounding after the break. After missing five of his first six shots, Neal rebounded to hit six of his last nine attempts.

Best plus/minus scores: Splitter was plus-14, Duncan was plus-13 and Leonard was plus-12.

Worst plus/minus scores: Eric Dawson was minus-4 and Anderson was minus-2. They were the only Spurs with negative scores.

Quote of the game: “Gary did a great job (at the point ) for a 2-guard. He’s not a 1, but he kind of likes it for some strange reason. So we’re happy he can do what he does at that position,” Popovich on Neal’s extended playing time at point guard with Parker injured.

How the schedule stacks up: After taking Thursday off, the Spurs will have their first back-to-back-to-back games of the season with games Friday against Dallas, Saturday at New Orleans and Sunday against Philadelphia. Minnesota travels to Oklahoma City for a Friday night game, returns home Sunday for Denver before back-to-back road games Tuesday at Memphis and March 28 at Charlotte.

Injuries: Matt Bonner missed his first game of the season with back spasms. Parker left the lineup with 8:05 left in the second quarter with what Popovich described as a mild hamstring strain. Minnesota played without Pekovic, who was back in Minneapolis receiving treatment on his sore ankles. Michael Beasley was limited to 11 minutes and none in the second half when a sprained big toe flared up. Starting point guard Ricky Rubio is out for the season with a torn ACL. And Minnesota coach Rick Adelman sat Darko Milicic for the sixth time in seven days because he thinks he’s out of shape.

Rested Duncan, clutch Parker help Spurs cool off Suns

By Jeff McDonald

PHOENIX – Spurs coach Gregg Popovich opted to hold Stephen Jackson out of Tuesday’s 107-100 victory over the Suns, erring as he often does on the side of rest for his older players.

The ultra-competitive 33-year-old swingman promised he wouldn’t fight Popovich on the decision.

On one condition.

“Just as long as they don’t list me as ‘DND-Old,’ ” Jackson said with a laugh.

That was the official designation given Tim Duncan two nights earlier, when Popovich chose to hold the 35-year-old power forward out of a win over Philadelphia. The DND stands for “did not dress.”

The Spurs’ box-score punchline, which earned the team attention on several national sports talk shows, was a collaboration between Duncan and athletic trainer Will Sevening.

“Sometimes it’s more fun just to be totally honest,” Popovich said.

Duncan dressed Tuesday, and took the floor at U.S. Airways Center. Contrary to popular myth, he did not look ancient.

Freshened by two days rest, Duncan produced 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Spurs to their fifth consecutive victory.

It marked the first time the Spurs’ Big Three had played together since a March 21 win over Minnesota, which Tony Parker left early with a tight hamstring.

The trio of Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili combined for 63 points Tuesday, as the Spurs beat a Suns team sizzling since the All-Star break.

Duncan, who has scored in double figures in every March game he’s played, admitted Sunday’s DND helped him. He just hopes that admission doesn’t make it back to his head coach.

“Honestly, I do feel better,” said Duncan, who was 11 of 16. “I don’t want to say so, because then Pop’s going to start resting me more.”

There was a time when the Spurs, once derided by their own coach as “older than dirt,” might not have been built to win four games in five nights.

Yet with equal parts depth and moxie they’ve been able to keep their winning streak going, even with key players out, even with the daily grind beginning to wear even on younger players.

“Lucky for us, we’re deep,” Parker said. “If somebody’s not playing, everybody else has to step up.”

Tuesday’s game was a throwback of sorts. With some exception, he guys doing the stepping up were the ones with All-Star credentials.

Parker had 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, while Ginobili scored 13. Kawhi Leonard, a 20-year-old rookie small forward rapidly becoming a candidate for a Big Fourth, supplied 14 points and seven rebounds.

Back in the lineup Tuesday, Duncan set the tone early, scoring nine of the Spurs’ first 11 points. By halftime, he had 17 points and eight rebounds, already a better-than-average night’s work for him.

When Duncan drained his first four shots, Parker knew it was going to be a good night.

“You saw it from the get-go,” said Parker, who scored eight points during a 17-6 run in the fourth quarter that put the game away. “He was very aggressive, didn’t hesitate on his shot.”

For the Spurs, the win looked even better in practice than it did on paper.

Even after losing Tuesday, Phoenix has won 11 of its past 16, going from seven games under .500 to the outskirts of the playoff race. The Spurs (34-14) won Tuesday despite a career-best 32 points from Shannon Brown, who drew the start in place of the injured Grant Hill.

The game was there for the taking for the Suns, who led by five in the third quarter but couldn’t stop Parker in the fourth.

“They’ve shown a lot of character,” Popovich said of the Suns. “There was a point in the season where they were having a tough time. They’re playing their best basketball at the right time.”

The Spurs, meanwhile, have been enjoying the best of both worlds, juggling youth and experience. They have been able to win games while keeping older veterans rested during the lockout-compressed season.

The Spurs finish a stretch of five games in six days tonight at Sacramento. They are 12-2 in their past 14 road games, after starting 2-8.

Lesser lights fueled the Suns, who fell to 25-25 after a brief visit above .500.

Brown, who had not topped 21 points in a game the season, had 14 in the first quarter. He finished 11 of 18, and 5 of 10 from the 3-point line, but made only one shot after the 4:51 mark of the third. Marcin Gortat added 21 points and 14 rebounds for Phoenix, which lost its first game at home since March 12.

“You’ve got to be able to win a 120-point game, but you also have to be able to win a 90-point game,” Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said.

Tuesday, it was the Spurs who won a shootout. They did behind their venerable captain, who on this night was not so old after all.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

1 of 14 | Share

Spurs 107, Suns 100: March 27, 2012

Phoenix Suns’ Shannon Brown dunks over San Antonio Spurs’ Daniel Green (4) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20), of Argentina, dives for the ball in front of Phoenix Suns’ Shannon Brown during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

Phoenix Suns’ Marcin Gortat (4), of Poland, gets past San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan for a score during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

Phoenix Suns’ Marcin Gortat (4), of Poland, loses control of the ball as he goes up for a shot against San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry, left, laughs as he talks with San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, before an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

Phoenix Suns’ Ronnie Price (2) gets off a shot over San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, right, as Suns’ Marcin Gortat (4), of Poland, watches during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash (13) shoots a reverse layup, and misses, in front of San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, right, gets ready to dunk as he gets past Phoenix Suns’ Channing Frye (8) and Marcin Gortat, behind Frye, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, scores over Phoenix Suns’ Sebastian Telfair (31) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili, left, of Argentina, strips the ball from Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili, front, of Argentina, beats Phoenix Suns’ Robin Lopez to the basket for a score during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) charges Phoenix Suns’ Ronnie Price, left, as Suns’ Sebastian Telfair (31) and Robin Lopez look on during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) beats Phoenix Suns’ Marcin Gortat, of Poland, to the basket for a score as Channing Frye (8) and Steve Nash (13) look on during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20), of Argentina, dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Phoenix. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (AP)