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 2007-01-22 15:45  #1
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Sixers make Spurs sweat — a little

Sixers make Spurs sweat — a little

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA012207.01D.BKNspurs.sixers.gamer.1b5be40.html

Web Posted: 01/21/2007 10:30 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News

PHILADELPHIA — The Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers were barely four minutes into Sunday's game, but one local fan had seen enough. After watching Tim Duncan drive unimpeded to the rim one too many times, he voiced his displeasure.

"Hey Tim," the man hollered with touch of sarcasm, "why don't you break a sweat?"

Duncan eventually perspired — or perhaps he was merely glowing after Chicago's NFC championship victory over New Orleans — as did the rest of the Spurs, who had to work a little harder than they preferred before finishing off the Sixers 99-85 at Wachovia Center.

Duncan totaled 17 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four blocks, and Brent Barry scored 23 points while making five of the team's 11 3-pointers. But the Spurs also allowed a 22-point lead to shrink to five before holding on for their second consecutive victory.

"We had a great first half where everybody touched the ball, we made 3s, penetrated and did everything pretty well," said Manu Ginobili, who scored 12 points. "Then we kind of slowed down, the other team made a run and the game finished not as it should have.

"But at least that's better than a week ago."

The Spurs looked poised for a relatively relaxing victory while cruising to a 61-41 halftime lead. After making only 19 of their 71 3-point attempts in the previous three games, they hit eight in the first half, two shy of the franchise record.

They compiled 16 assists in the first half, moving the ball freely until finding an open shooter. More often than not, it was Barry. He scored 18 points in the first half, making four 3-pointers and a pair of layups.

"He's been shooting the ball well all year long and he's driving the ball, which we love," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "People are going to run at him, but he's figured out over the last month about being aggressive going to the basket and creating for other people."

The Sixers erased a 17-point deficit in the second half of last month's meeting with the Spurs only to lose. They didn't go down easy on Sunday, either.

Philadelphia cut its deficit to 73-63 near the end of the third quarter only to watch Barry answer with a 3-pointer, then drive baseline for a reverse layup. But after he went to bench with 9:49 remaining in the game, the Spurs missed their next nine shots.

Duncan and Tony Parker, who probably wouldn't have minded a little extra rest before tonight's game in Boston, had to go back on the floor. After Andre Miller cut the Spurs' lead to five with a jump shot, Parker ended his team's drought by scooting through the Sixers' defense for a layup.

A turnaround bank shot by Duncan and 3-pointers from Michael Finley and Robert Horry gave the Spurs the separation they needed.

"They played better than us in the second half," Duncan said, "but we sustained and found a way to win it."

Apparently unable to coax Kevin Durant to stay in town after Texas lost to Villanova on Saturday, the Sixers at least appear determined to best position themselves to win the draft lottery and a shot at taking either the Longhorns freshman or Ohio State center Greg Oden. To jumpstart its rebuilding project, Philadelphia traded guard Allen Iverson last month and bought out the contract of forward Chris Webber last week.

The Spurs lost five of their previous six games here largely because of Iverson, so they found it somewhat heartening, if not also odd, that they didn't have to chase him around the floor.

"It was like going to L.A. a couple years ago when Shaq wasn't there," Popovich said of former Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal. "When you think of Allen Iverson, you think of the 76ers, so the idea of him not being here is a little bit strange. But life goes on."

Though coming off an overtime victory against Miami on Saturday, Philadelphia offered little resistance in Sunday's first half.

The Spurs ended the opening quarter like this: Barry 3-pointer; Duncan turnover; Bruce Bowen 3-pointer; Barry missed 3-pointer; Horry layup; Barry layup; Barry layup; shot-clock violation; Ginobili 3-pointer; Barry 3-pointer.

An assist led to all seven baskets during the 41/2-minute stretch. The Spurs totaled only eight assists while shooting 37.5 percent in the second half.

"It just seems to be a theme that when we move the ball, we really have an easy time finding guys in rhythm," Barry said. "When we stop doing that, we just make it tough on ourselves."


Spurs notebook: Popovich, Brown meet, don't talk hoops

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA012207.06D.BKNspurs.notebook.1b5bf18.html

Web Posted: 01/21/2007 10:36 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News

PHILADELPHIA — Coach Gregg Popovich and his staff dined with Larry Brown and his wife after arriving in town Saturday night.

Brown, a longtime friend and mentor of Popovich, recently rejoined the Philadelphia 76ers as executive vice president. He will assist Sixers president Billy King in running the basketball operations department.

"We spent a lot of time talking about anything we wanted to talk about, except basketball," Popovich said. "That was off-limits.

"As you can imagine, that was pretty hard. Luckily his wife was there. If she wasn't there, we would have all been in trouble."

Brown was fired by the New York Knicks after last season. Popovich wasn't surprised to see him return to Philadelphia, where he coached from 1997-2002.

"He's definitely a (basketball) lifer," Popovich said. "If he tells you differently, he's blacked out. He's a lifer big time.

"Being here has been great for him. His family loved being here and they loved coming back. He really respects the organization and (chairman) Mr. (Ed) Snider. We'll see what happens."

Popovich declined to say if he thinks Brown will return to the sideline next season and replace Maurice Cheeks as coach.

"I make no claim to be a psychologist that has answers to questions that are beyond speculation," Popovich said, smiling.

"I learned that from watching CNN and Fox and CNBC all the time."

Patience with Elson: Popovich said Sunday he has no plans to immediately return Francisco Elson to the starting lineup. Elson had started at center for eight consecutive games before injuring his right shoulder.

"He's really not all that strong yet," Popovich said. "He's just starting to get that shoulder back, so I don't want to throw him out there as a starter."

Bearing down: Tim Duncan took the court Sunday fairly secure the Chicago Bears were headed to the Super Bowl.

The Bears had gone ahead of New Orleans 32-14 shortly before the Spurs tipped off against Philadelphia. A Chicago fan since childhood, Duncan soon received news the Bears had finished off the victory.

"I've been taking a lot of crap about them for a lot of years," Duncan said, "so I'm very excited."

Duncan said his wife, Amy, wants him to go to the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 4. The Spurs have a five-day break in their schedule that weekend.

Michael Finley, who grew up in Chicago and also is a Bears fan, told Duncan he would arrange for tickets for the two of them if he wanted to go.

"I still haven't decided yet," Duncan said.

Duo debuts: Carmelo Anthony makes his debut alongside former Sixers guard Allen Iverson tonight when Denver plays Memphis.

Popovich thinks Iverson and Anthony will complement each other.

"They respect each other," Popovich said. "They enjoy being around with each other, playing with each other.

"But I also think Allen is a perimeter guy and Carmelo is learning how devastating a player he can be on the block. (Nuggets coach) George (Karl) has really gotten that across to him. It's not like they're both on the perimeter demanding the ball. It's kind of like an inside-outside deal.

"So I think it's going to work out well."
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