PtR Quick Cap: Blazers Thump Spurs 96-84

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 7, 2009 12:51 AM CST in Game Previews

The Spurs dug themselves out of a 17 point third quarter hole to pull within 3 with 5:30 to go. They couldn't get any closer though as Portland scored 21 points from there on out. Box Score.

The good thing that came out of this loss was that for a stretch the Spurs discovered their defense. Down 64-47 with 6:20 to go in the third, the Spurs finally started playing basketball with some intensity. Even desperation. Over the next 13+ minutes, the Blazers scored 9 points.

It isn't a lot, but it is something to build off. And right now, I'll take it.

Your 3 Stars:

3 - Coach Popovich: He called a time out 46 seconds into the game. He benched Rage 2:48 into the game. Bonner only played 11 minutes. FinDog only played 14. He looked mad. He even chewed out Tim once, I believe.

2 - Antonio McDyess: He looked a little better tonight. Not a lot. But better.

1 - RAGE: RJ responded to his benching with some aggression. He started rebounding hard and driving to he bucket. He wasn't spectacular and he had a team worst -22. However, it looked like he had an attitude adustment.

Our next game is Monday night against the Raptors at home. Hopefully, we will see a team starting to build a little defense.

Tony only played 11 minutes. He tweaked his ankle late in the second quarter and didn't return. X-rays were negative.

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I think it’s just pop not liking the spot light we got before the season start and wanted to get under the radar again. I hope.

by SaSleepless on Nov 7, 2009 12:55 AM CST reply actions

if you are the best team you don’t worry about stupid things like this.
When they could the Spurs were at the top of the Conference during the regular season.

by biolb on Nov 7, 2009 11:00 AM CST up reply actions

At least the team was able to make it a close game after being down by double digits, that’s more than we can say of the other two games we lost. Our defense wasn’t nearly as bad, and that’s a start. Offense will come in time, we just need the defense to get going.

If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross

by Hipuks on Nov 7, 2009 12:59 AM CST reply actions

agreed. Saw some old school Spurs defense last night for a little while and a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this team can come together once they find team chemistry and the art of da fence.

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Nov 7, 2009 3:07 PM CST up reply actions

You forgot someone in the 3 stars. All aboard the Maglev!

The Spurs - not playing defense anymore, since 2008.

by Tim C. on Nov 7, 2009 1:09 AM CST reply actions

Agreed. His defensive intensity coming out of the half seemed to spark the rest of the team. Tonight’s game is a perfect example of the flaws of +/-. RJ played better than his -22 indicated, especially in the second half. We need him to be aggressive on the offensive end.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Nov 7, 2009 1:13 AM CST up reply actions

findog: 1-5 shooting, 1 rebound, 2 whole points, and he’s a +10.

geoff: 7-13, 5 boards, 2 steals, 3 assists, 1 block, 19 points…and he’s -22.

seriously, that just doesn’t seem right.

free george hill!

by sleep research facility on Nov 7, 2009 1:32 AM CST up reply actions

Take any finished game, and put any +/- to any player, and it would be plausible. The system obviously has a ways to go.

If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross

by Hipuks on Nov 7, 2009 4:08 AM CST up reply actions

haven’t been in here in a long time so Hi!
we came so close in the 4th, then the scoring wasnt enough and the defense well… was what it was. depressing, frustrating. More than hopeful for the next one.:)

by cojones2thewall on Nov 7, 2009 2:13 AM CST reply actions

Glad you’re back Cojones! You’ve been missed.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney

by bellasa on Nov 10, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

thoughts from Portland

1. We got lucky nobody was connecting from deep. When we doubled Timmy, SA always found the open man. Who promptly bricked.

2. Speaking of which, Bonner’s got the ugliest jump shot this side of Shawn Marion.

3. Despite the 4-14 stat line, Manu looked incredible. Like B-Roy with an extra gear.

4. On the other hand, much as I would love to give Oden all the credit, Duncan looked like something was wrong with him.

5. McDyess was more than okay. He was practically automatic.

6. That RJ dunk was sick (though so were the Martell put-back and the Rudy to LA dunks)

by shuppatsu on Nov 7, 2009 2:39 AM CST reply actions

man, i have been squawking about how ugly marions jumper is since the beginning of time. the onlyresponse i have ever gotten round here is the sound of crickets chirfping….so, i am thankful for someone else on this planet noticing.

by bones on Nov 7, 2009 8:57 AM CST reply actions

i obviously didn’t see any comments from you regarding Marion’s nasty looking shot, because I would have agreed with you. The only thing he’s got going is that he’s got a really quick release.

by xman130 on Nov 7, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

TWSS….about Marion….

by BlaseE on Nov 9, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions

spurs defense was rocking the late 3rd and all of the 4th qtr to get them back in it. then portland had about 4-5 trips in a row where they were basically stopped, but got some kind if a break to get a score (steal went out of bounds, roy’s holy roller, deflection goes right to oden, a touch foul); then blake nailed that big 3 ball. there was no coming back after that.

i’m not saying it was luck, i’m saying it was hard work by portland and the law of sports averages….but it was tough timing for the spurs. if the spurs hadnt played so poorly early, that kind of stretch wouldnt have been the dagger that it was.

tough roadie against a tough team with a chip on their shoulder.

your take on #3 above about manu and b-roy is particularly interesting given some of the short-sighted comments from a few of the spurs faithful on here last night. too bad for me that you werent with us last evening.

by bones on Nov 7, 2009 9:08 AM CST reply actions

Despite the loss, I think we really did well at fighting back, and it leaves me with a little bit of relief since Tony is out

AKA: Linix129

by sw12 on Nov 7, 2009 12:54 PM CST reply actions

I dont know, it was a scrambling kinda fighting & purposeful fouls that were adding to our points. Do hope Manu (all of them) steps up and has more precision while Tony is out.

by cojones2thewall on Nov 7, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions