Pounding The Rock - Full Coverage: San Antonio Spurs @ Philadelphia 76ersFor all your Manu Ginobili loving and San Antonio Spurs newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/12497/ptr-fv.jpg2013-01-21T22:32:04-06:00http://www.poundingtherock.com/rss/stream/36654292013-01-21T22:32:04-06:002013-01-21T22:32:04-06:00Kawhi Leonard: The new face of the Spurs
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/22aIumc09V-e8Kz3X9aFb_baKPU=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6921453/20130121_hcs_sy4_005.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> had just regained the lead after losing it late in the game against the Philadelphia 76'ers. Without Manu Ginobili (out with a hamstring injury), and with <span>Stephen Jackson</span> not producing, Coach Pop relied on <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> to bring the team home.</p>
<p>Leonard played 34 minutes and 37 seconds, the longest of any Spur, and while a fair-weather fan might not think too much of this, consider that the player with the most minutes per game, <span>Tony Parker</span>, averages 32. Not only that, but Leonard's game is on the defensive end. Yet against the 76'ers, he shot 13 field goals (he averages 6 field goals a game), and took 5 3-point attempts (he averages 3 a game).</p>
<p>Needless to say, the man was likely fatigued. It was the Spurs second road game in a row after a back-to-back that started at home. Yikes. Coach Pop needed someone to step up, and he knew that he could rely on Leonard. Popovich has said as much, <a href="http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/120830_pop_mailbag" target="_blank">calling Leonard a "sponge" and even saying he'd become the "face of the Spurs"</a>. So when Popovich called Leonard's number in the 4th, he stepped up. With 2:59 left, he stole the ball and dunked on the other end. The next play, Leonard drained a 3.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for Leonard, a play or two later at the 1:31 mark, he hit the floor, scraped his knee and intentionally fouled Jrue Holiday. The camera immediately panned to coach Pop, who had a stunned look on his face. Leonard hobbled over and met Popovich at half-court wincing, and you could read the astonished coach's lips mouth, "Kawhi, why?" The two conversed at half-court as Holiday took his free throw before Leonard limped to the bench. Why would Popovich question Leonard's move? Players have been taught to intentionally foul or call timeout if they are injured. And then as the 76'ers in-bounded the ball, Leonard's face said it all: he knew he shouldn't have done that. The rule is that since the Spurs were over the foul limit, and the foul occurred away from the ball, the 76'ers would be awarded one free throw and possession.</p>
<p>Leonard made a mistake and Pop taught him exactly how he should have handled it. After the exchange at half court, Popovich patted Leonard on the back and let him walk to the bench. Popovich knew Leonard understood the quick lesson he taught in front of 15,346 fans -- just as you'd expect from the face of the Spurs.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/1/21/3902078/kawhi-leonard-the-new-face-of-the-spurs-learns-a-lessonJosh Guyer (completely deck)2013-01-21T20:42:01-06:002013-01-21T20:42:01-06:00QuickCap: Spurs tighten up in the 4th, 90-85
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G4eUE9B3LYjzQyJlk5j4aC9NftU=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6917035/20130121_hcs_sy4_007.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/1/21/3901900/quickcap-spurs-tighten-up-in-the-4th-against-76ers-90-85Josh Guyer (completely deck)2013-01-21T02:00:03-06:002013-01-21T02:00:03-06:00Spurs look to win 5th straight in Philadelphia
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5pgUsw5HZrCQANiwGoANxb5gLss=/0x160:2667x1938/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6886973/20130105_sal_ai1_334.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p> </p>
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<div id="preview-vs" style="font-size: 20px; padding-top: 50px; padding-bottom: 45px; width: 629px; color: white; text-align: center;">
<h3><b><a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a> vs <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia 76ers</a></b></h3>
Wells Fargo Center<br>Janurary 21st, 6:00 PM CST<br>TV: TNT,FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI</div>
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<p> </p>
<p>The San Antonio Spurs are taking on the 76ers tonight in Philadelphia. Game time is at 6:00pm central time. Get your San Antonio Spurs<b> <a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs-tickets?pubid=1011042">tickets here!</a></b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 76ers are currently 9th in the East at 17-23, 11-9 at home. They have lost six of their last eight games, including a 109-86 shellacking at the AT&T Center on January 5th. In that game, <span>Spencer Hawes</span> came off the bench to score 22 points making 10 of his 13 shots. He was the lone bright spot for the 76ers in that blowout.</p>
<p>For some reason, this game is going to be on TNT. That's weird, right? Hopefully this means that the Spurs will have extra motivation to take this seriously. The Spurs' schedule is pretty favorable. It'd be great for the Spurs to get a little win streak going and make up some games on OKC and the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a>.</p>
<p>After the 76ers, the Spurs will face the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a>, <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mavericks</a>, <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Suns</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobcats</a>, <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Wizards</a>, <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Timberwolves</a> and <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a>. That's nice, isn't it? That could turn into a nice little 12-game win streak that extends into the Rodeo Road Trip.</p>
<p>As always, if the Spurs are to be successful against the 76ers, they will need to take care of the ball and avoid turning it over. If the Spurs keep their turnovers low and hit the boards, this should be an easy win for the Silver and Black.</p>
<p>It'll be interesting to see what Popovich does with <span>Matt Bonner</span>. In the Spurs' latest victory, the Red Rocket came off the bench to score 17 points, connecting on all three of his 3-pointers. So far this season, Bonner has averaged a career low in minutes played at 11.2 mpg. For me, Pop's benching of Bonner has resulted in a very enjoyable season, but this may change. I'm not sure if there are minutes for Bonner. With Tim, Tiago and Diaw playing so well, I don't think it'd be wise to limit their minutes in favor of Bonner, but we'll see what Coach Pop decides tonight.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 12px;"><center><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/SAS.gif"></center></td>
<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 12px;"><center><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/PHI.gif"></center></td>
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<td colspan="3"><center>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 12px;"><b>Lineups</b></div>
<p><b>Starters</b><br><b>PG:</b> <span>Tony Parker</span><br><b>SG:</b> <span>Danny Green</span><br><b>SF:</b> <span>Kawhi Leonard</span><br><b>PF:</b> <span>Tim Duncan</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Tiago Splitter</span><br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br><span>Boris Diaw</span><br><span>Gary Neal</span></p>
<p><br><b>Head Coach</b><br><span>Gregg Popovich</span></p>
<b></b> </center></td>
<td colspan="3"><center>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 12px;"><b>Lineups</b></div>
<p><b>Starters</b><br><b>PG:</b> <span>Jrue Holiday</span><br><b>SG:</b> <span>Jason Richardson</span><br><b>SF:</b> <span>Thaddeus Young</span><br><b>PF:</b> <span>Evan Turner</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Lavoy Allen</span><br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br>Spencer Hawes<br><span>Nick Young</span><br><span>Dorell Wright</span></p>
<br><b>Head Coach</b><br><p>Doug Collins</p>
</center></td>
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<p> </p>
<p>Philly's perspective can be found here: <a href="http://www.libertyballers.com/" target="_blank">Liberty Ballers</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.libertyballers.com/" target="_blank"></a>Game Prediction: Spurs by 19</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As always </span><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#tonydominatefisher" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Tony must dominate Fisher</a><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, and NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate.</span></p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/1/21/3898494/game-preview-san-antonio-spurs-philadelphia-76ersFred Silva