tinysands
2007-03-09, 07:57 PM
Ginobili again seals deal: Reserve guard comes on strong in fourth, lifts Spurs
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030907.01D.BKNspurs.kings.gamer.3eb85a7.html
Web Posted: 03/09/2007 01:39 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) pulled up on the right baseline, released his shot then watched it clang hard off the rim. Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich, standing on the sideline, looked up at the rafters and let out a long sigh.
Popovich didn't have to fret for long. Once Thursday's third quarter gave way to the fourth, Ginobili resumed his normal role as the Spurs' designated closer. Or, some might say, savior.
Playing again as a reserve, Ginobili scored 16 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) finally pushed past the Sacramento Kings 100-93 to extend their winning streak to 11 games.
Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) had 16 points and 13 rebounds, Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) scored 15 points and Matt Bonner (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner) provided some steady second-half minutes as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) swept their four-game trip. After returning home today, the team will play 13 of its 20 final games at the AT&T Center.
"In a situation like tonight where Tony and I are struggling and their defense is tough on both of us and Manu takes over," Duncan said, "it's just such a great out to have."
Led by Kevin Martin's 26 points, Sacramento shot 48 percent, but the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) found their defense in the closing minutes.
After trailing since the midpoint of the opening quarter, the Kings went ahead 73-72 on Francisco Garcia's 3-pointer with 9:16 left. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) called timeout to regroup then Ginobili stepped back onto the floor and promptly drilled his own 3-pointer. He followed with a runner and another 3-pointer.
Sacramento, however, continued to carve up the Spurs' defense on the other end of the floor, making eight of their first 10 shots in the quarter. Mike Bibby's 26-foot 3-pointer put Sacramento ahead 86-85 with 3:35 left.
Parker followed with a layup. After Brad Miller missed an open jump shot, Parker drove into the lane, took a bump and foul from Corliss Williamson, threw up a wild moonball then watched from the seat of his shorts as the shot bounced off the front of the rim then the back before dropping through the net.
Parker missed the free throw, leaving the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) with an 89-86 lead. Ginobili and Duncan combined to make five free throws — even though the team went just 22 for 33 from the foul line — to extend the lead to 94-86 with 1:03 left.
"Ginobili was phenomena," Kings coach Eric Musselman said.
Ginobili helped close out the victory with a steal in the final seconds.
Ginobili, who had triggered the Spurs' comeback two nights earlier in Portland, looked intent on picking up where he left off. He drove for a layup early in the second quarter then buried a 3-pointer on the next possession to extend the Spurs' lead 34-27.
Ginobili's biggest problem was staying on the court. He played just 11 minutes in the first half — during which he scored 12 points — because of foul trouble.
Ginobili went to the bench with 8:48 left in the second quarter — about the same time he normally takes a rest — after picking up his second foul while trying to hedge on a Kings' pick-and-roll. But he also had to sit out the final 3:41 of the half after picking up his third foul on an offensive call.
The Kings were playing their second game since Ron Artest was put on leave from the team following his arrest Monday on suspicion of domestic violence. Sacramento officials have said they are investigating the circumstances of the arrest and haven't given a timetable for the starting forward's possible return.
In the meantime, the Kings have positioned themselves for another late-season run at the playoffs. Sacramento had won its four previous games and, despite missing its best defender and second-leading scorer, appeared to have finally settled into some sort of rhythm under new coach Eric Musselman.
The Kings entered Thursday averaging 114.3 points during their winning streak. Martin has had a lot to do with the increase in productivity, averaging 29 points during his previous six games.
Martin, however, wasn't the Spurs' biggest tormentor in the first half. That job belonged to Williamson.
With Duncan on the bench resting, Williamson abused Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) and Fabricio Oberto (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/fabricio_oberto) inside, scoring the Kings' first 10 points of the second quarter while making all five of his shots during the stretch. Williamson, who averages 8.7 points per game, nearly doubled that in 12 minutes, finishing with 15 points in the quarter.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) missed 12 of their first 15 shots in the third quarter, prompting Popovich to call on [url=http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner][url=http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner]Bonner (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner) and Michael Finley to help end the drought. He forced a steal that led to a layup by Duncan then hit a 19-foot jump shot before burying a 3-pointer near the end of the quarter.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA030907.01D.BKNspurs.kings.gamer.3eb85a7.html
Web Posted: 03/09/2007 01:39 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) pulled up on the right baseline, released his shot then watched it clang hard off the rim. Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich, standing on the sideline, looked up at the rafters and let out a long sigh.
Popovich didn't have to fret for long. Once Thursday's third quarter gave way to the fourth, Ginobili resumed his normal role as the Spurs' designated closer. Or, some might say, savior.
Playing again as a reserve, Ginobili scored 16 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) finally pushed past the Sacramento Kings 100-93 to extend their winning streak to 11 games.
Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) had 16 points and 13 rebounds, Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) scored 15 points and Matt Bonner (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner) provided some steady second-half minutes as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) swept their four-game trip. After returning home today, the team will play 13 of its 20 final games at the AT&T Center.
"In a situation like tonight where Tony and I are struggling and their defense is tough on both of us and Manu takes over," Duncan said, "it's just such a great out to have."
Led by Kevin Martin's 26 points, Sacramento shot 48 percent, but the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) found their defense in the closing minutes.
After trailing since the midpoint of the opening quarter, the Kings went ahead 73-72 on Francisco Garcia's 3-pointer with 9:16 left. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) called timeout to regroup then Ginobili stepped back onto the floor and promptly drilled his own 3-pointer. He followed with a runner and another 3-pointer.
Sacramento, however, continued to carve up the Spurs' defense on the other end of the floor, making eight of their first 10 shots in the quarter. Mike Bibby's 26-foot 3-pointer put Sacramento ahead 86-85 with 3:35 left.
Parker followed with a layup. After Brad Miller missed an open jump shot, Parker drove into the lane, took a bump and foul from Corliss Williamson, threw up a wild moonball then watched from the seat of his shorts as the shot bounced off the front of the rim then the back before dropping through the net.
Parker missed the free throw, leaving the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) with an 89-86 lead. Ginobili and Duncan combined to make five free throws — even though the team went just 22 for 33 from the foul line — to extend the lead to 94-86 with 1:03 left.
"Ginobili was phenomena," Kings coach Eric Musselman said.
Ginobili helped close out the victory with a steal in the final seconds.
Ginobili, who had triggered the Spurs' comeback two nights earlier in Portland, looked intent on picking up where he left off. He drove for a layup early in the second quarter then buried a 3-pointer on the next possession to extend the Spurs' lead 34-27.
Ginobili's biggest problem was staying on the court. He played just 11 minutes in the first half — during which he scored 12 points — because of foul trouble.
Ginobili went to the bench with 8:48 left in the second quarter — about the same time he normally takes a rest — after picking up his second foul while trying to hedge on a Kings' pick-and-roll. But he also had to sit out the final 3:41 of the half after picking up his third foul on an offensive call.
The Kings were playing their second game since Ron Artest was put on leave from the team following his arrest Monday on suspicion of domestic violence. Sacramento officials have said they are investigating the circumstances of the arrest and haven't given a timetable for the starting forward's possible return.
In the meantime, the Kings have positioned themselves for another late-season run at the playoffs. Sacramento had won its four previous games and, despite missing its best defender and second-leading scorer, appeared to have finally settled into some sort of rhythm under new coach Eric Musselman.
The Kings entered Thursday averaging 114.3 points during their winning streak. Martin has had a lot to do with the increase in productivity, averaging 29 points during his previous six games.
Martin, however, wasn't the Spurs' biggest tormentor in the first half. That job belonged to Williamson.
With Duncan on the bench resting, Williamson abused Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) and Fabricio Oberto (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/fabricio_oberto) inside, scoring the Kings' first 10 points of the second quarter while making all five of his shots during the stretch. Williamson, who averages 8.7 points per game, nearly doubled that in 12 minutes, finishing with 15 points in the quarter.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) missed 12 of their first 15 shots in the third quarter, prompting Popovich to call on [url=http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner][url=http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner]Bonner (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/matt_bonner) and Michael Finley to help end the drought. He forced a steal that led to a layup by Duncan then hit a 19-foot jump shot before burying a 3-pointer near the end of the quarter.