PtR QuickCap: Spurs Lose to a Decimated Portland Squad

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 10:36 PM CST in Game Previews & Recaps Comment 40 comments

First, credit where credit is due: Tonight the Portland Trail Blazers won their second game in a row in Texas for the first time since 2001, and they did it with two players, some chewing gum, a ball of twine, and a lot of heart.

Remember Wayne's key to the game? Remember what Pop said?

Key to the game: Don’t take the injured Blazers lightly.

Pop said he didn’t talk to the team about it. Pop said if they are taking the team lightly, then he would take a time out and, "ask them nicely to pick it up" and go from there.

Yeah.

BOX SCORE

How it Happened

The injury-riddled Blazers played a gritty game, leading much of the first half and hitting some key 3-pointers late in the second quarter. The Spurs were plagued by turnovers once again, committing 9 in the first 24 minutes alone. However, they put together a nice little run capped off by a classic Manu bucket to reach halftime down by only 1.

The second half was a wild ride. The Spurs were down by 11 at one point, but managed to close to within 1 behind a charge led by Timmy and Mace. After that, though, Portland ran off 10 straight, and the Spurs never recovered. Jerryd Bayless (a sophomore) and Juwan Howard (an ancient) were too much for the men in silver and black tonight.

Your 3 Stars

Tim Duncan - Timmy made free throws! Timmy got a double-double! Timmy had the most points and the most rebounds! Furthermore, he was the only starter to end the night with a positive +/-, a whopping +3. He may be playing the most efficient and fundamentally sound basketball of his career right now. No wonder he got so frustrated during this game.

Richard Jefferson - RJ must read PtR. He showed more fire tonight, attacking the rim and looking like the aggressor we all want him to be. Too bad about the 0-3 in 3-point shots, though. Two of those would have won us this game.

Third star--NOBODY. That's right, we don't get a third star tonight. We don't deserve a third star tonight. But if you forced me to pick one, it would be Romaju.

HUMBUG, I say!

Random question of the night: Why didn't we see Youngevity? Did I miss something? Probably. I did manage to get about 7 gifts wrapped, though. Big whoop. I'm pissed off. Happy holidays, everyone. And happy birthday, LatinD. I wish the Spurs had made it a better one!

1 recs | Comment 40 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Nice QuickCap, Lauri. You’re right – no one deserved the 3rd star. Can we start assigning anti-stars? Because I have several to give out after this game.

Congrats to the Blazers for playing a good game, despite all the injuries.

Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen

by CapHill on Dec 23, 2009 10:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

Haha. Snaq just got called for traveling.

Sacto is hanging with the Cavs.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

GO BENO!

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kings WINNING. :O

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 23, 2009 11:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ooooovertiiiiime.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Worst. Overtime. Ever.

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 24, 2009 12:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Mase had a great game. At least, I thought so. 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 turnovers.

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 23, 2009 10:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He did. It’s totally unfair of me not to give him a star.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 10:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bayless: A sophomore*

by thetsaiguy on Dec 23, 2009 11:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks. Fixed.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is the worst QuickCap EVER.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I loved it, Lauri. Quick and to the point, and it was all truth. Thanks.

Bone breaking? -340
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Dec 24, 2009 8:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bah Humbug. Well…there’s always Milwaukee.

by Ed (dfjmed) on Dec 23, 2009 11:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well…this was disappointing to come home to.

by Daniel_B on Dec 23, 2009 11:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jeez, I already admitted that it was the worst QuickCap ever, what more do you want from me? I give and I gi—

Oh, you probably meant the Spurs loss.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Holy mother of god that has to be the crappiest QuickCap ever written, I think I need to evaluate whether it’s worth living in a world where such filth is even allowed to be published.

"Under the tutelage....of Randy Tutelage"

by Hipuks on Dec 23, 2009 11:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps you should evaluate in a little seaside rental. Say, at the Jersey Shore.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was gonna knock you out with a punch but I respect the shit out of you.

"Under the tutelage....of Randy Tutelage"

by Hipuks on Dec 23, 2009 11:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Has your sister recovered from the loss of her ravioli?

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s her damn fault, I told her to keep the door of her room closed, the dog likes to search trashcans, but she did not listen.
Today I heard him rummaging in my room, so I open the door, and he’s sitting there with a grocery bag handle around his head, he had been searching the bag and I guess he put his head through the handle and couldn’t take it out.. So I called him and made him go downstairs, all the while wearing the grocery bag.
When I was done laughing, I took the bag handle out of his head.

"Under the tutelage....of Randy Tutelage"

by Hipuks on Dec 24, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And here I thought I was done for the evening. If I don’t get on before Friday (which I most likely will), here’s to you all. You guys and girls make rooting for the Spurs fun this season! I’m bringing mojo, Duncan jerseys and a Pistons fan to the Bradley Center on Friday. Maybe we’ll have a super-duper Christmas day Loser Thread. Lord knows. But, I wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. Brad Miller says so too.

by Ed (dfjmed) on Dec 23, 2009 11:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yea, if I show up Friday that’d make me a day early for the game, and have the rest of my family wondering where I am. How about Saturday night? Good stuff. :-P

by Ed (dfjmed) on Dec 23, 2009 11:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Same back atcha, dfj, and thanks for making me laugh tonight. It is much appreciated.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 23, 2009 11:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Back to the game ---

Both of RJ’s dunks came off of passes from, unexpectedly, Tony! That is progress. The officiating was not good at all tonight for the Spurs. I really thought Pop was going to get a technical. I know I heard him say BS as he walked away from one ref. Sent Wayne my photos – captured both of RJ’s dunks.

by janieannie on Dec 24, 2009 2:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't usually

go to other blogs to rant.. but. The officiating was just BAD in general.. Duncan traveled very obviously on your last possession before we put it away. and then mad a very obvious push in the back on Howard to get the last rebound that eventually lead to the bucket. The refs were just awful on all ends.. Portland had 13 fouls to 5 in the first half and it took insistent driving by bayless and Miller to get any calls in the second half.

by duckyou on Dec 24, 2009 4:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I was complaining about the officiating earlier in the game, but we got a couple of breaks toward the end(Tony’s charge comes to mind).

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 24, 2009 7:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I don’t think we can blame this on the refs. Manu remembered he was supposed to drive to the basket when the shot isn’t falling midway through the fourth quarter. Tim kept leaving those crappy centers wide open, 6 feet from the basket.

Bone breaking? -340
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Dec 24, 2009 8:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Tim kept leaving those crappy centers wide open, 6 feet from the basket.

That was the most inexplicable part of the game for me. We’ve gotten used to defensive lapses from Tony and Manu this year, but from Timmy? That’s just a bad, bad sign.

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 24, 2009 8:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Duncan played 40 minutes.

"I will five all over this blog." - JRW

by Manuwar on Dec 24, 2009 3:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

nice, a Christmas nightmare……

by BlaseE on Dec 24, 2009 7:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hey I was blamed for the loss

yay not getting blamed for killing the mojo by saying TQC

Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.

by KA1Z3R on Dec 24, 2009 8:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

was not blamed*

wow I need to learn to type

Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.

by KA1Z3R on Dec 24, 2009 8:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

let’s just say….Christmas present to the injured and less-fortunate

Now, I feel better.

by BlaseE on Dec 24, 2009 9:46 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

plus we are the old team and the Blazers are the young team….it’s only fair we play Santa and give them a gift

by BlaseE on Dec 24, 2009 9:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

just to be sure we're clear

in the pregame write-up I only asked that the Spurs not put the Trail Blazers to slaughter, I didn’t ask for any gifts. I would have been happy with the white elephant semi-close, late game comeback or even the buzzer beater. You didn’t have to give us the win.

OK I don’t want to rub it in. Portland played with intelligence and a ton of heart. I suspect the Spurs may have been guilty to some degree of under-estimating the fight left in Portland’s belly. I doubt the Spurs will make that mistake again.

The Spurs are a class act, always have been. A win in that situation makes for a very good feeling for Blazer maniacs everywhere, but I was seriously impressed with Coach Pops coming straight over to the Trail Blazer bench after the final horn and congratulating the PTB coaches and players on the win. Like I said, class act.

Best of luck Spurs until we meet again, and do not forget, we’re not each other’s enemy- the lakers are.

"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."

by bow4meow on Dec 24, 2009 11:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

4 wins in a row by an average 11.5 points on us is making it a little cloudy right now…

your roster is just filled with great shooters….

by BlaseE on Dec 24, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

great shooters?

streaky maybe… until this week most people didn’t even believe Bayless had an outside shot.. And really if anyone ever contested it he still may not haha.

by duckyou on Dec 24, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs