tinysands
2007-04-13, 12:53 PM
Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) seek continued momentum
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041307.01D.BKNspurs.wolves.3404e63.html
Web Posted: 04/12/2007 10:47 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
MINNEAPOLIS — The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have four games between now and the playoffs and, if you ask them, that's about four too many.
They know they'll open the postseason April 22 at the AT&T Center and they're expecting to play the Denver Nuggets. Stealing the Western Conference's No. 2 seed isn't impossible, but would require the Phoenix Suns to lose at least two of their remaining four games.
So in the meantime, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) will try to resist the urge to ease off the accelerator.
"It doesn't matter whether the slots get set next game or if it's the last game of the year," Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) said. "We're going to try and build rhythm and go into the playoffs with momentum because I thought last year we didn't do a good job of that. Who's to say whether that cost us in that first round against (Sacramento), going an extra game?
"Who knows? But I'd rather be riding a steaming train than one that's just pulling out of the station."
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have gained considerable momentum the past eight weeks by winning 24 of 27 games. They also have a fairly healthy roster and would like to keep it that way.
For now, however, coach Gregg Popovich said the team will continue to pursue the second seed — which would ensure home-court advantage in the second round — until the Suns secure it. The players seem to support that plan.
"I think you want to play right to the finish," Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) said. "It's not like back in the day when you can have six days before the playoffs start. The playoffs start in three days. You can get that rest two days before and then roll right through that."
To have any chance at moving up, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) know they'll likely have to win their remaining four games. They arrived here Thursday evening for the start of a three-game trip that has them playing Minnesota, Dallas and Memphis.
The Timberwolves, eliminated from playoff contention, announced Wednesday that Kevin Garnett will be sidelined "indefinitely" while he gets a second opinion on his injured right quadriceps. Minnesota needs to finish with one of the NBA's 10 worst records to avoid surrendering its first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers, but team officials, who also shelved Garnett at the end of last season when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) visited, said the injury is legit.
The Mavericks already have secured home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and could view Sunday's game against the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) as little more than a tune-up for the postseason. Dallas coach Avery Johnson didn't bring Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier or Jerry Stackhouse to Wednesday's game in Minnesota.
In past seasons, Popovich has significantly cut back the minutes of his starters as soon as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have solidified their place in the standings. He probably will do the same for at least next Wednesday's regular-season finale.
The Nuggets are fairly entrenched in the No. 6 slot, provided they don't lose three of their final four games and the Los Angeles Lakers win at least three of theirs. With the Suns needing to lose at least twice against the Lakers, Utah, the Clippers and Houston to drop out of the second position, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are headed for a likely first-round matchup with Denver — four days after the teams meet in the final game of the regular season.
"Both coaches might start the bench and say, 'We're not showing you nothing,'" Horry said. "If it does turn out that way, I hope I can get out there so I can shoot all the shots I want."
After missing four games because of back spasms, Barry also could use some extra minutes to regain his rhythm. His teammates also admit they have some work to do, evidenced by the 100 points they yielded to Sacramento on Wednesday.
So until the playoffs begin, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) will continue to count down the games one by one.
"It's great preparation time, but it gets long at some point," Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) said. "You fight through that. You hope you can stay away from injuries and you use these games to lengthen your roster, make sure people get time, make sure people are comfortable with the offense and what you're doing.
"Hopefully it will help us all in the playoffs."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA041307.01D.BKNspurs.wolves.3404e63.html
Web Posted: 04/12/2007 10:47 PM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
MINNEAPOLIS — The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have four games between now and the playoffs and, if you ask them, that's about four too many.
They know they'll open the postseason April 22 at the AT&T Center and they're expecting to play the Denver Nuggets. Stealing the Western Conference's No. 2 seed isn't impossible, but would require the Phoenix Suns to lose at least two of their remaining four games.
So in the meantime, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) will try to resist the urge to ease off the accelerator.
"It doesn't matter whether the slots get set next game or if it's the last game of the year," Brent Barry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/brent_barry) said. "We're going to try and build rhythm and go into the playoffs with momentum because I thought last year we didn't do a good job of that. Who's to say whether that cost us in that first round against (Sacramento), going an extra game?
"Who knows? But I'd rather be riding a steaming train than one that's just pulling out of the station."
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have gained considerable momentum the past eight weeks by winning 24 of 27 games. They also have a fairly healthy roster and would like to keep it that way.
For now, however, coach Gregg Popovich said the team will continue to pursue the second seed — which would ensure home-court advantage in the second round — until the Suns secure it. The players seem to support that plan.
"I think you want to play right to the finish," Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) said. "It's not like back in the day when you can have six days before the playoffs start. The playoffs start in three days. You can get that rest two days before and then roll right through that."
To have any chance at moving up, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) know they'll likely have to win their remaining four games. They arrived here Thursday evening for the start of a three-game trip that has them playing Minnesota, Dallas and Memphis.
The Timberwolves, eliminated from playoff contention, announced Wednesday that Kevin Garnett will be sidelined "indefinitely" while he gets a second opinion on his injured right quadriceps. Minnesota needs to finish with one of the NBA's 10 worst records to avoid surrendering its first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers, but team officials, who also shelved Garnett at the end of last season when the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) visited, said the injury is legit.
The Mavericks already have secured home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and could view Sunday's game against the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) as little more than a tune-up for the postseason. Dallas coach Avery Johnson didn't bring Dirk Nowitzki, Erick Dampier or Jerry Stackhouse to Wednesday's game in Minnesota.
In past seasons, Popovich has significantly cut back the minutes of his starters as soon as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have solidified their place in the standings. He probably will do the same for at least next Wednesday's regular-season finale.
The Nuggets are fairly entrenched in the No. 6 slot, provided they don't lose three of their final four games and the Los Angeles Lakers win at least three of theirs. With the Suns needing to lose at least twice against the Lakers, Utah, the Clippers and Houston to drop out of the second position, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are headed for a likely first-round matchup with Denver — four days after the teams meet in the final game of the regular season.
"Both coaches might start the bench and say, 'We're not showing you nothing,'" Horry said. "If it does turn out that way, I hope I can get out there so I can shoot all the shots I want."
After missing four games because of back spasms, Barry also could use some extra minutes to regain his rhythm. His teammates also admit they have some work to do, evidenced by the 100 points they yielded to Sacramento on Wednesday.
So until the playoffs begin, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) will continue to count down the games one by one.
"It's great preparation time, but it gets long at some point," Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) said. "You fight through that. You hope you can stay away from injuries and you use these games to lengthen your roster, make sure people get time, make sure people are comfortable with the offense and what you're doing.
"Hopefully it will help us all in the playoffs."