Let me just begin by saying that I DIDN'T actually watch the game.
This recap is based on the scoreboard, the play-by-plays, a few other
write-ups, a 2min 23sec NBA video and the final minute of the game using a game link that was really choppy and possibly in Turkish.
It was so choppy and pixellated that it looked like the players were teleporting around the court.

I tried to find another link that was clearer and I downloaded some chinese pptv thing.  Couldn't find the Spurs game but I caught a bit of The Dark Knight and Stardust.  Not being able to concentrate on the game, add my crappy comments to the thread and watch the movie, I decided to close the movie.

The "Team of the Decade" San Antonio Spurs were playing against the lowly
76ers.  A team playing without their key signing in the offseaon, former All-star and 20-10 threat Elton Brand.  The Spurs were coming off a win while the 76ers a loss.
Then I remember this was the 08-09 Spurs.  So this was going to be close........

The Spurs started the game HOT.  Like the Spurs we knew and loved.....from the 70's. The Red Rocket hit two 3's within the first minute of the game from two Tony assists. After that, it started raining points (and 3's) for the Spurs. In the 1st quarter, Mason and Bonner would hit three each, Manu AND Tony would get one each also. The sticky hands Frenchman would also dish out 5 assists in the quarter. The quarter ended with Mason drilling one of his 3's at the buzzer and the Spurs leading 40-19.  This can't be good.

As Pop has indicated in the past, he doesn't like huge 1st half leads as the leading team tends to get complacent and lets the other team back in.  There are also other factors like resting the starters etc. Surely NOT the experienced, profession Spurs though?  Not again.

 
Timmeh with the "boo!!!" defense

This Pop fellow must know a thing or two about basketball.
The Spurs held the 20 point buffer for the first 3 mins of the 2nd quarter.
Then the scoring drought that we love and the lack of defense kicked in.  The Sixers went on a 9-0 run spanning about 2 minutes to cut the lead to 9.  We were able to close out the half and had a 16 point buffer at the long break.  The Sixers had a 31 point quarter so Pop probably had some motivational words about that in the rooms.

 
Keep your eyes on the ball, break right and........SWISH......2 points!!!  Manu's simply awesome.

It obviously didn't work in the 3rd as the Spurs were outscored 31-18.  Only two late 3's by Finley and Mason (at the buzzer) made the Spurs offense look crap instead of super crap.  Damn, that Mason's a gun!!!  Spurs up 84-81 after 3.   Probably too many points for Pop's liking.

 
Bonner should have asked his barber to see the back of his head.

The fourth was back and forth (that makes sense).  After being all tied up at 91, we kept our noses in front but couldn't get a buffer of more than 5 points. 

With about a minute and a half left in the game, I decided to go back to the Turkish game link.  As I said above, it was choppy.  I somehow made out Manu scoring under the basket for the lead, then Iguodala dunking and finally Manu shooting a 3 from the corner.  The crowd went wild so I thought Manu hit it.  On these 3 plays, I didn't actually see the ball go in, I just looked at the pixels under the backboard that was the net and tried to determine whether it moved.  (also watched the scoreboard tick over after).  It was only after a few replays that I realised IT WAS TONY WITH THE TURNAROUND JUMPER AT THE BUZZER!!!!

 
I couldn't find a photo of TP hitting the game-winner so here's one of him using mind control to sink a buzzer-beater in NBA Live 09

Celebrations all round (even Manu raised his arms for Tony's shot.  See, best of friends) 

Some random stats -

 Fast-breat points and points in the paint are pretty glaring.  Oh, so is the biggest lead of 21 but eventually only winning by 2.

We still need frontline help for Tim.  Apart from his 12 rebounds and Bonner's 6, it was pretty lean and we were outrebounded 40-32.

Anyway, it was another close win and in the end, that's what counts.  Our points for/against difference inched a bit closer together and you who what Hollinger thinks about that......argh...screw him!!!  We got this championship!!!

Your 3 stars -

3 - Tony because he won the game (this could have been you, Manu)  Tony was only 2-9 after half time but he hit the one that counted.

2 - Timmeh because he was solid as usual.

1 - All you people at PtR for being loyal (but critical where needed)  We are more than one third through the season and we haven't had a convincing win yet.  Stick with it fellow PtRers, our team may reward us yet.
1.1 - The JV being put on the inactive list.  YES!!!!

So this was my first attempt at a recap.  Let me know if I should give up the exciting world of finance/accounting and become a full time basketball analyst. 

Sorry for the delay with posting.  It was the wife's birthday on Sunday and between her, my 2 year old and my brother going back to Sydney yesterday after the holidays, time was short.

Ooops, wifey's back from the grocery shopping.  I better post this and shut down.

Catch you all at the next game.  REVENGE!!!!