tinysands
2007-03-31, 02:52 PM
Big 3 subdue Jazz: Ginobili scores 25, while Parker and Duncan add double-doubles for Spurs
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA033107.01C.BKNspurs.jazz.gamer.367ad03.html
Web Posted: 03/31/2007 12:18 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) walked into the Spurs' locker room, looked to his left and saw a handful of reporters talking to Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan). He turned right to see Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) occupying another camera-wielding group.
"That," Parker said, smiling, "means I can leave."
With that, Parker bolted through the door, escaping before the media could converge on him. The Utah Jazz can sympathize: Containing all three of the Spurs' stars, whether on the court or off, was simply too tough a chore Friday.
Ginobili scored 25 points, Parker had 23 points and 11 assists and Duncan totaled 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Utah 102-93 in front of a sellout crowd at the AT&T Center.
It was just the second game this season that the Spurs' three stars each scored at least 20 points. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) shot 52 percent while totaling 24 assists on their 39 baskets.
"They just played some beautiful basketball and we can learn a lot from a team like this," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said. "They share the ball, make the extra pass and don't care who gets the glory."
The victory was the Spurs' sixth in a row and allowed them to substantially strengthen their grip on the Western Conference's No. 3 playoff seed. Provided, of course, they don't exchange it for No. 2.
In addition to expanding their lead over Utah to five games, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) now trail the Phoenix Suns by just two with the teams scheduled to meet Thursday at the AT&T Center.
"We're going in the right direction," said Michael Finley, who made four 3-pointers off the bench. "We just have to continue to get better and whatever happens at the end of the season happens."
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) viewed their latest victory as a sign of progress. Utah had won two of the teams' three previous meetings, outrebounding the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) by a combined 100-66 in those two victories.
Well aware of the Jazz's physicality, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) held a 21-14 advantage on the boards in the first half, allowing them to take a 12-point lead into halftime. Utah, which shot 37.5 percent after the first quarter, never got closer than six the rest of the way.
"We even had some stretches where it looked like our confidence was shaken and it looked like we didn't believe we could win," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "That's the type of defense they can put on you."
Parker helped set the tone. Coming after a sluggish six-point, three-assist performance two nights earlier against New Orleans' Chris Paul, he fared noticeably better against Williams and Derek Fisher.
Williams, who had been averaging 11.8 assists in his previous 10 games, finished with five — matching the number of turnovers he had — while also scoring 23 points.
"I thought Tony played very physically," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said. "Williams and Fisher are both tough nuts. They really get after you, and you've got to come ready to play.
"I thought he stuck his nose right in, played good defense, got loose balls. I thought he played a brilliant game for us."
Popovich could have said the same about Ginobili, who made 10 of 16 shots while also contributing six rebounds, four assists and three steals. He scored 16 points in the first half and seemed to be everywhere, filling the Jazz's passing lanes, drilling a 3-pointer and bulling his way to the rim.
Ginobili also swiftly ended a final comeback attempt by the Jazz after they pulled within 83-77 with 8:06 left. With Francisco Elson saddled with five fouls and Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) having aggravated his abdominal injury, Popovich decided to go small and put Ginobili back on the floor.
On the next possession, Ginobili barreled in from the right wing and banked in a layup while drawing a blocking foul on Paul Millsap. He made the free throw to complete the three-point play.
"We knew when we penetrated we had to do it hard because they are a good defensive team and collapse the paint a lot," Ginobili said. "You just have to do it aggressively and that's what I tried to do."
Parker took over from there, making a pair of free throws, a 19-foot jump shot and finding Duncan and Elson for baskets. With the victory just about secure, Parker rifled one more pass to Ginobili, who rose up and made a twisting lay-in with his back almost to the basket.
Twenty minutes later, with Parker looking to make a quick exit to his waiting family, Ginobili and Duncan returned the assist.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA033107.01C.BKNspurs.jazz.gamer.367ad03.html
Web Posted: 03/31/2007 12:18 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) walked into the Spurs' locker room, looked to his left and saw a handful of reporters talking to Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan). He turned right to see Manu Ginobili (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/manu_ginobili) occupying another camera-wielding group.
"That," Parker said, smiling, "means I can leave."
With that, Parker bolted through the door, escaping before the media could converge on him. The Utah Jazz can sympathize: Containing all three of the Spurs' stars, whether on the court or off, was simply too tough a chore Friday.
Ginobili scored 25 points, Parker had 23 points and 11 assists and Duncan totaled 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks as the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) beat Utah 102-93 in front of a sellout crowd at the AT&T Center.
It was just the second game this season that the Spurs' three stars each scored at least 20 points. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) shot 52 percent while totaling 24 assists on their 39 baskets.
"They just played some beautiful basketball and we can learn a lot from a team like this," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said. "They share the ball, make the extra pass and don't care who gets the glory."
The victory was the Spurs' sixth in a row and allowed them to substantially strengthen their grip on the Western Conference's No. 3 playoff seed. Provided, of course, they don't exchange it for No. 2.
In addition to expanding their lead over Utah to five games, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) now trail the Phoenix Suns by just two with the teams scheduled to meet Thursday at the AT&T Center.
"We're going in the right direction," said Michael Finley, who made four 3-pointers off the bench. "We just have to continue to get better and whatever happens at the end of the season happens."
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) viewed their latest victory as a sign of progress. Utah had won two of the teams' three previous meetings, outrebounding the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) by a combined 100-66 in those two victories.
Well aware of the Jazz's physicality, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) held a 21-14 advantage on the boards in the first half, allowing them to take a 12-point lead into halftime. Utah, which shot 37.5 percent after the first quarter, never got closer than six the rest of the way.
"We even had some stretches where it looked like our confidence was shaken and it looked like we didn't believe we could win," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "That's the type of defense they can put on you."
Parker helped set the tone. Coming after a sluggish six-point, three-assist performance two nights earlier against New Orleans' Chris Paul, he fared noticeably better against Williams and Derek Fisher.
Williams, who had been averaging 11.8 assists in his previous 10 games, finished with five — matching the number of turnovers he had — while also scoring 23 points.
"I thought Tony played very physically," Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) coach Gregg Popovich said. "Williams and Fisher are both tough nuts. They really get after you, and you've got to come ready to play.
"I thought he stuck his nose right in, played good defense, got loose balls. I thought he played a brilliant game for us."
Popovich could have said the same about Ginobili, who made 10 of 16 shots while also contributing six rebounds, four assists and three steals. He scored 16 points in the first half and seemed to be everywhere, filling the Jazz's passing lanes, drilling a 3-pointer and bulling his way to the rim.
Ginobili also swiftly ended a final comeback attempt by the Jazz after they pulled within 83-77 with 8:06 left. With Francisco Elson saddled with five fouls and Robert Horry (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/robert_horry) having aggravated his abdominal injury, Popovich decided to go small and put Ginobili back on the floor.
On the next possession, Ginobili barreled in from the right wing and banked in a layup while drawing a blocking foul on Paul Millsap. He made the free throw to complete the three-point play.
"We knew when we penetrated we had to do it hard because they are a good defensive team and collapse the paint a lot," Ginobili said. "You just have to do it aggressively and that's what I tried to do."
Parker took over from there, making a pair of free throws, a 19-foot jump shot and finding Duncan and Elson for baskets. With the victory just about secure, Parker rifled one more pass to Ginobili, who rose up and made a twisting lay-in with his back almost to the basket.
Twenty minutes later, with Parker looking to make a quick exit to his waiting family, Ginobili and Duncan returned the assist.