Tag: San Antonio Spurs

Rose’s big night pushes Bulls within one game of Eastern Finals

Derrick Rose is so close to the NBA Eastern Finals he can almost taste it.

The NBA’s MVP erupted for 33 points and nine assists Tuesday to lead the Bulls to a 95-83 Game 5 victory over Atlanta, pushing them within one game of their first trip to the conference finals since 1998.

The Bulls, who hold a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, can advance by beating the Hawks Thursday night in Atlanta.

“We can’t get tired or bored,” Rose told reporters after the game. “We know that going down there, they’re going to give us their all. I think we have to come out and play our way — defense first and make things tough on them. We’re a good team when we have pace to us.”

And they are an especially good team when the NBA’s MVP plays like he did Tuesday night.

STUDS

Chicago G Derrick Rose: Blistered Atlanta for 33 points, nine assists and a team-best plus-17 in the Bulls’ 95-83 Game 5 triumph over Atlanta.

Chicago F Luol Deng: Went for 23 points, four rebounds, three assists and was plus-15 in the Bulls’ triumph over the Hawks.

Chicago F Carlos Boozer: Notched 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Bulls’ triumph over the Hawks.

Chicago F Taj Gibson: Came off the bench to score all 11 points in the fourth quarter on a 5-for-5 shooting spree in the Bulls’ triumph over Atlanta.

Atlanta G Jeff Teague: Had another strong game with 21 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the Hawks’ loss to Chicago.

Atlanta F Josh Smith: Went for 16 points and seven rebounds in the Hawks’ loss to the Bulls.

DUDS

Atlanta G Jamal Crawford: Clanked through a 1-for-9 shooting night with two turnovers and was minus-11 in a two-point effort in the Hawks’ loss to Chicago.

Atlanta F Al Horford: Produced 12 points and 10 rebounds, but had four turnovers and was a team-worst minus-13 in the Hawks’ loss to the Bulls.

Did Manu play in the playoffs with a broken arm?

Manu Ginobili’s elbow injury appears to be more extensive than might have first been reported.

Ginobili told the Argentine website Noticiasmdq.com that he sustained a, the long bone in the arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. The injury occurred in the final game of the regular season on April 13 when he was trapped in a collision between Tim Duncan and Phoenix’s Grant Hill.

The Spurs originally announced that Ginobili sustained a sprained elbow. He missed the first game of the playoffs and then played the remaining five games with the injury in the six-game series loss to Memphis. He averaged a team-leading 20.6 points per game against the Grizzlies despite playing with a balky brace. 

Here’s ().

“Last Wednesday, the medical staff of San Antonio I had the last MRI,” Ginobili said. “The liquid has been absorbed and small fracture in the humerus is welded at 85 percent. I have to be doing nothing for 3 weeks and then begin slowly.”

If Ginobili in fact played with a broken arm, there’s no wonder that Gregg Popovich was so adamant in compared to Rajon Rondo’s comeback from a hyperextended elbow for Boston against Miami.

What about it Spurs Nation?

Is Popovich’s blast at Rondo a little more understandable now if in fact Ginobili did play against the Grizzlies with a broken arm?

Could Grizzlies be headed for shakeup after stunning playoff run?

The Memphis Grizzlies stunned the NBA by making an unexpected surge through the Western Division playoffs.

The Grizzlies had never won a playoff game before this season. And despite not having second-leading scorer Rudy Gay, Coach Lionel Hollins’ team knocked out West top seed San Antonio before falling to Oklahoma City in seven games.

The Grizzlies missed Gay’s perimeter shooting in both series, but there is speculation around the league that the Grizzlies might let him go after their success without him in the playoffs. Particularly with the emergence of Shane Battier and Tony Allen’s defensive skills, the Grizzlies might have a replacement for Gay on their roster already.  

Gay, 25, has about $68 million left on his max contract over the next four years. Memphis awarded Zach Randolph a monster new $71 million contract at the start of the series with the Spurs. Rapidly improving center Marc Gasol’s expiring contract is next and there is thought that Memphis owner Michael Heisley might not be willing to sign all three players.  

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Gay .

Since the new NBA season won’t officially begin until July 1, Gay’s 2010-11 salary would apply until then. His $13.6 million salary would fit under the Cavaliers’ trade exception, but he likely would command much more than just that trade exception.

While Gay’s future destination will command much attention with Memphis fans after their suprising run, Battier had an interesting tweet after the end of the Oklahoma City game that thanked fans for their support.