Well that sucked, although I'm not exactly surprised.  Last time I went to the Spurs-Sixers game in Philly two years ago, Philly erased a 5 point deficit with 20 seconds left and went on to win in overtime.  Just once I would like to leave that arena a victor without being heckled by loser Sixers fans.  Although at least I can wear an opposing team's jersey to a game without being mugged, unlike at an Eagles game.  In terms of nicknames that fit, Philly named as the "City of Brotherly Love" is about on par with the Utah Jazz.  

The game flow pretty much went like this: close early, they pulled ahead late first, early second quarter once Duncan went out, the lead would fluctuate between 6-10 points in the second half, at the end we just couldn't hit the three we needed to pull even or make enough defensive stops.  I don't know what it is about Andre Miller that he always has great games against us.  Early on he abused Parker by either posting him up or shooting over him.  However, later he was guarded by Ginobili and still kept hitting everything.  32 points on 14 shot attempts along with 7 assists. Seriously? Their other key guy was Iguodala with 25 points although he wasn't as efficient with 18 shots.  The play that bothered me the most in the entire game was when he tried to take Bowen one-on-one, kept dribbling around trying to shake him while wasting shot clock, then threw up a prayer that of course went it. I can't wait until the Sixers overpay him for $15 million a year as their "franchise" player.

Matt Bonner finally got a chance to play again and subsequently went 1-6 from three point range.  He's currently on a 3-22 streak from three.  Um Pop, I think he would benefit from getting consistent minutes like he was earlier in the year when Horry was injured.  Pop, PLEASE, PLEASE bench Horry. 31% shooting, 25% from 3.  A PER of 9.26 (ranked 56 out of 60 for power forwards).  We are playing 4 on 5 out there on offense with him in.  At lease with Bruce he can make the corner 3 and an occasional jumper.  Horry can't create, he can't shoot, hell he can't even rebound.  I know Bonner has poor defensive moments (including getting burned on an ally-oop).  But at least Bonner can shoot and is a surprising decent rebounded.  

Here's the thing I'm most worried about for our chances of winning a championship: Robert Horry, and the bench.  With Ginobili starting (and in my mind he'll always be considered a "starter" since he plays at least 30 minutes a night), the bench is terrible.  They went 6-20 (1-10 3PT) for 14 points, and a whopping -27 for the game.  In the playoffs, the big 3 will be fine and playing 35-40 min a night.  I've accepted the fact that we don't have a single player off the bench who can create his own shot (Jacque Vaughn being the exception of course), we had that situation last year. However, the least the bench needs to contribute is 3 point shooting for Duncan double teams, and Ginobili/Parker drive and kick outs.  Horry, Finley, and Udoka are all shooting 36% or below.  We need a 40% shooter in the playoffs (Barry).  

There were some positives in the game though:

-It was great seeing a Ginobili dunk in person.  Just to hear the crowd react and the people around me who don't see him that often say in bewilderment, "I didn't know he could do that".  

-Parker looks like he's completely healed from the foot injury.  Several times he was able to abuse Sixers defenders by blowing right by them and getting into the lane.  Also he shot looks a lot better now and I think he has the confidence back with taking it.

-Robert Horry didn't play.  Let's hope this becomes a trend although it's probably due to the SEGABABA.      

Your 3 stars of the game:

3rd Star: Tim Duncan: Put here for lack of a better choice.  Pretty sub-par game for him with 16 points and 6 rebounds and he also missed a key shot towards the end.  Although he did have a great block on Lou Williams attempt to dunk on him.  In the first half they immediately doubled him upon catching the entry pass and he had issues find the open man (although our spacing didn't help either).  Second half we should have gone to him more.  

2nd Star: Manu Ginobili: That dunk was sick and came out of nowhere.  7-12 (3-6) for 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists.  He's amazing and probably will be our best player in the playoffs.    

1st Star: Tony Parker: 12-16 for 27 points, 5 assists. Him and Ginobili kept us in the game and were a toss up for 1st star but I gave it to Parker since he comed back from that injury.  Last three games for him: 68% shooting, 77 points, 16 assists, 3 TO's.  We need him to play like that if the bench is going to give us nothing.  Although it's a little disconcerting that we lost all those games.