Pounding The Rock - Game Stream: Spurs vs. Indiana PacersFor all your Manu Ginobili loving and San Antonio Spurs newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/12497/ptr-fv.jpg2013-12-08T12:59:03-06:00http://www.poundingtherock.com/rss/stream/49508972013-12-08T12:59:03-06:002013-12-08T12:59:03-06:00Morning Rehash: Spurs Get Spurred by Pacers
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>An impeccable 1st quarter and a madcap, hilarious 4th quarter comeback aren't enough as Pacers drub Spurs</p> <p>It's December eighth, we are nineteen games into the NBA season, and the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a> are not a bad basketball team.</p>
<p>To many, this appears obvious. The Spurs are coming off their best start in franchise history, have already strung together a ten game winning streak (albeit against inferior competition), and are getting meaningful production from players one through ten on their depth chart. There have been some early season struggles (Tim's cold shooting, Kawhi's stunted next step, <span>Danny Green</span> forgetting how to shoot threes), but in large part those weaknesses have nothing to do with the Spurs system, and everything to do with the ebb and flow of the early part of a basketball season. Yes, it would be torture to have to watch Danny Green in the playoffs if he was playing like this, but there is zero evidence that, in a playoff situation, Danny Green would brick his three-point attempts and get lost in defensive rotations. Let us all remember that, unless he is the Second Coming of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X223RPT2AEw"><strike>Jesus Shuttlesworth</strike></a><strike> </strike><span>Ray Allen</span>, Green is not going to hit threes at the prodigious, history-making rate that he drained them at during the 2013 Finals. It's just not going to happen.</p>
<p>I feel like this needs to be said because after the euphoria of our best ever start, the Spurs have sputtered, somewhat. They're two and three over their last five, with the wins coming against the <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a> and <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>, and the losses coming from contenders <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> and, after tonight, the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indiana Pacers</a>. The losses have come in frustrating fashion. The Thunder loss aside, the Spurs faced greater than twenty-point deficits against both the Rockets and Pacers. As one might expect with deficits that large, at times the Spurs looked sluggish, slow, weak, outgunned, out-hustled, out-pretty much any word that's synonymous with effort.</p>
<p>Tonight's loss to the Pacers was particularly malaise-inducing, however, because for about 15.5 minutes, the Spurs seemed to have every part of the Pacers under control. The first quarter saw a viciously-effective Spurs starting five in a way that hasn't been seen all season. Tim hit his first shot from outside, Kawhi hit a corner three (!!!!!) and everything seemed to be working itself out on the offensive side of the ball, especially considering Indiana up to this point has boasted an <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2014.html" target="_blank">unreal 93.6 Defensive Rating</a> up the this point in the season. <span>Manu Ginobili</span> subbed in for Danny Green midway through the first quarter, and had one of those games that reminds you exactly how fun "I'm going to make all those crazy threes I always take" Manu can be.</p>
<p>Wait, we're talking about a loss? Yes we are, because once Manu Ginobili sat down in the second quarter and yielded control of the offense to <span>Marco Belinelli</span>, <span>Patty Mills</span>, and the rest of the Foreign Legion, the wheels fell off. Indiana's defense was given new life through a combination of increased effort and not having to worry about Manu or Tony guiding the offense. The Foreign Legion's excellence was betrayed tonight; Manu Ginobili ties this group together. We would see this at points last season when Pop would use <span>Gary Neal</span> as a backup point guard, and things haven't changed with Marco around. The Spurs struggle to get into their offense when both Tony and Manu are sitting. Against a heady Pacers defense, that can be the ease-off-of-the-gas-pedal moment that players like <span>Paul George</span> and David West need to get going offensively.</p>
<p>They sure did get going. We'll get to the exacting, bloody details lower in the post, but the Pacer offense began to feed off it's stingy defense in a way that great teams often do. Make no mistake, the Indiana Pacers are a great team. Paul George makes a stirring argument night in and night out, that he's the third best player in the league behind Lebron and Kevin Durant. His 4-of-4 mark from three, most of them on little jab steps or in transition, was the attack from which the Spurs defense never recovered. The Spurs previously had been doing a great job of over-protecting on George and forcing him to pass out of difficult situations, and going forward that seems like the wisest thing to do with this team, which, despite my love for <span>George Hill</span>, is still slightly point guard-less.</p>
<p>The other linchpin? David West and the lack of Tiago Splitter. Coming back from halftime up by four, the Pacers recognized that with Tiago being shut down for the rest of the game with calf soreness, the Spurs had one effective big man (Tim Duncan) with which to guard two of the headiest bangers in the game (<span>Roy Hibbert</span> and West). Wisely they started driving the ball into West, generating open looks from West's abuse of <span>Matt Bonner</span> and Pop's, unfortunately mandatory decision to double West when Bonner was on him. Bonner was the logical choice to field in the third; he's the only one of Diaw, Ayres and Baynes that can adequately tax the Pacers on the offensive end (Diaw was throwing up bricks tonight). But on the defensive end, Bonner was overmatched, and <span>Frank Vogel</span> got the entire Pacers lineup open shots because of it.</p>
<p>I find it hard to put much stock in this loss with Splitter out. Splitter has been our best big man the entire season, and his post defense has been pristine. Against the heavy front line of Indiana, Splitter is a necessary banger, and losing him cripples the Spurs' ability to effectively defend such a talented team. George, <span>Lance Stephenson</span>, and George Hill all had field days feasting on uncharacteristically bad defensive rotations by the Spurs. Seven Pacers scoring at least twelve points attest to that - the ball zipped around Indiana's side of the floor tonight.</p>
<p>But back to the sky and how it's not falling right now, because it's December. Let's take a look at the Spurs last four years, through the nineteen game mark:</p>
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<ul>
<li> <b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">2010: </b><span>16-3 (Losses Against: New Orleans Hornets, <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, eventual champion <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a>)</span> </li>
<li><span><b>2011: </b>12-7 (Losses Against: Houston Rockets x 2, Oklahoma City Thunder, <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>, <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a>, eventual champion <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a>)</span></li>
<li><span><b>2012 </b>: 15-4 (Losses Against: Los Angeles Clippers x 2, <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>, eventual champion Miami Heat)</span></li>
<li><span><b>2013:</b> 15-4 (Losses Against: Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trailblazers, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers)</span></li>
</ul>
<p>So there. The best Spurs start coincides with the worst Spurs playoff performance in the Old Man Duncan era. About the only disconcerting thing is that in each of the last four years the Spurs have lost in the first 19 games to the eventual NBA Champion. I'm going to chalk that up to a strange fit in a small-sample size theater, but it bears watching this year since the Spurs have only lost to the NBA's cream of the crop.</p>
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<h2>Buy Spurs vs Raptors Holiday tickets, come early and stay late</h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24574129/20121129_ter_sx9_487.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>In the next installment of the ticket deal that started on opening night, PtR readers will be able to buy a discounted ticket for the game on December 23rd versus the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Raptors</a>, get passes to enter the arena early to watch the teams warm up, and shoot a free throw on the court after the game. Plus, you'll receive a special Spurs holiday t-shirt. </span>
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<p>Most of all, when you're playing the NBA's cream of the crop, regardless of whether we might consider the Spurs objectively better than any of those teams, the chances of winning or losing even out to about a coin flip. Great teams going up against great teams generates results that are often unpredictable. The Spurs have not been their best selves in the four games against the NBA's quality opponents, and this certainly bears mentioning going forward when things start to matter. But for now, it's December, and the Indiana Pacers played a better basketball game than the San Antonio Spurs. Let's leave it at that.</p>
<h3>Coyote Watch</h3>
<p>Bizarre night from the Spurs PA system in general, which is usually on point with its awful mix of Ke$ha, metal and @spursdj drops. The music was consistently going in and out, segments would step over each other at random, and the Kiss Me Cam appeared twice. The Coyote intersects here as, in his first segment, the pants-less wonder began to grind on the security guard stationed below the away team basket, only to have <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNZru4JG_Uo" target="_blank">Rush's "Tom Sawyer</a>" interrupt his seduction music. Strange, incongruous, and frankly a whole lot funnier than most things the Coyote normally does.</p>
<h3>Game MVP</h3>
<p><b>Manu Ginobili - 16 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 turnovers on 6-9 shooting in 19 minutes.</b></p>
<p>Watching Manu when everything is going well is unreal, given that it elicits just as much panic as it does elation. We've been trained as Spurs fans to expect Manu to take a crazy three point shot every now and again or to feel totally comfortable heat-checking himself into oblivion. So, every time one of Manu's six threes went up tonight, that awful moment of panic would wash over my brain, only to be replaced by utter euphoria when the shot would go down.</p>
<p>Also,<a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/spurs/2013/12/07/0021300296-ind-sas-play1.nba/index.html" target="_blank"> this pass</a>. Because any NBA fan should be so lucky to see this pass live.</p>
<p><b>Honorable Mention</b> goes to <span>Kawhi Leonard</span>, for being active and aggressive on the offensive end, taking his opportunities where he could get them, and generally looking a lot more enthused to battle against Paul George than he does against lesser wings. We may be seeing a phenomenon where Leonard performs at his best when being challenged by a superior player. It's something to monitor. Plus, we got a Kawhi Three! All is right, even though we lost.</p>
<h3>Game LVP</h3>
<p><b>Danny Green - 2 points, 3 rebounds on 1-4 shooting in 17 minutes.</b></p>
<p>Sigh. I know I just ranted for a bit about the value (or lack thereof) of reacting to Danny's recent ice cold streak. The three pointers bother me, as they should anybody, because on the face of it nothing looks wrong with Danny's shots. They just aren't going in. This is a problem that will probably disappear and resurface seventeen thousand times over the course of this season, but safe to say it's frustrating to see the Spurs offense sputter because Danny Green is starting to lose trust in his stroke.</p>
<p>More disconcerting, however, is the defense. There isn't one play to specifically highlight here, and I think on the whole if you looked at Danny's stats, he's probably still a plus defender. But tonight, Danny showed off some of the highly-regrettable things that he does on defense that get Pop so steamed. He still has a tendency to swipe at driving wings too much, a problem that has resurfaced after disappearing late last season. While it's not getting him into foul trouble, good teams are starting to notice that Danny cheats for steals, and are passing to the open man. We all know that Danny can close quickly, but against a well-oiled machine like the Indiana Pacers, Danny's flying-through-the-air-to-block-your-shot routine causes more problems than it provides help. For two seconds, if the defender doesn't shoot, the Spurs are playing with four defenders. That's never going to win you a basketball game when Paul George is one of the guys you have to guard.</p>
<h3>By The Numbers</h3>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span><b>24,002</b> - <span>Tim Duncan's</span> career point total, becoming, appropriately, the 21st NBA player to surpass 24,000 points. He tied the mark on a pair of free throws, which was anti-climactic, BUT STILL. Hats off to ya, GOATPUFF.</span></li>
<li><span><b>17 and 40</b> - The former, the number of possessions, stretching between the second and third quarter, that the Pacers consecutively scored on. The latter, the number of points they scored. That is insane. No matter what way you slice it, that's unbeatable.</span></li>
<li><span><b>26-of-28</b> - Indiana's free throw shooting tonight.</span></li>
<li><span><b>5-of-6</b> - San Antonio's free throw shooting tonight. This seems like a pretty good place to start when analyzing which team gave the superlative effort in an NBA game. The Pacers naturally play a more physical style of basketball, and the refs were cognizant of that and gave them the benefit of the doubt. However, only six attempts for the Spurs is indicative of what might be an ongoing concern for this team. The Spurs are not drawing fouls at the rate they should be. Whether this is a function of a decreasing number of baskets generated by Tony and Manu darting in the paint, or whether the Spurs are just not drawing the right kind of contact, I'll leave you to decide. Still, worth noting for the future.</span></li>
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<h3>Bird is the Word</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><span>David West's</span> "CARPE DIEM" calf tats are the most underrated bad tattoos in the NBA.</p>
— Caleb Saenz (@calebjsaenz) <a href="https://twitter.com/calebjsaenz/statuses/409524617393369088">December 8, 2013</a>
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<p>It is such an incredible relief when P.J. Carlesimo fills in on the Spurs broadcast.</p>
— Rob Mahoney (@RobMahoney) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobMahoney/statuses/409516871633739776">December 8, 2013</a>
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<p>Scoring against Tim Duncan at the rim is a pretty good hurdle for burgeoning elite players to show what they can do.</p>
— Alex D. (@DewNO) <a href="https://twitter.com/DewNO/statuses/409508899276861440">December 8, 2013</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>MATT BONNER BROKE DAVID WESTS ANKLES</p>
— Tyler Remmert (@TylerGotSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerGotSports/statuses/409509887748489216">December 8, 2013</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Tweet o' the night. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/HabsfanAU">@HabsfanAU</a> can someone find a generator?</p>
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/statuses/409517203415777280">December 8, 2013</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>When a Manu trey put the Spurs up 13, the Pacers were in deep trouble...so they did this over the next ~29 mins <a href="http://t.co/EUb8C6o4uc">pic.twitter.com/EUb8C6o4uc</a></p>
— Tim Donahue (@TimDonahue8p9s) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimDonahue8p9s/statuses/409531676780281856">December 8, 2013</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>NBA logic: In December, losing to another good team says more than losing to a second-tier team.</p>
<p>— Bethlehem Shoals (@freedarko) <a href="https://twitter.com/freedarko/statuses/409546649887707136">December 8, 2013</a></p>
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<h3>Odds and Ends</h3>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>One of the great parts about getting to games early is getting to see which players from opposing sides interact with each other. What was so special about tonight's game was that the Spurs and Pacers have a titanic amount of amicable connections, to the point that the early warmups looked like the prelude to a friendly scrimmage, not an NBA game. <span>Ian Mahinmi</span> and <span>Tony Parker</span>, French teammates, shared a lengthy aside near the Pacers warmup area. Mahinmi then sought out Spurs assistant, and former Spur, <span>Ime Udoka</span>, which reminded me that the two were teammates. George "OOEY POOEY" Hill got some well-deserved love from all of the Spurs, as did <span>Jeff Ayres</span> from the Pacers.</span></li>
<li><span>Finally, and this deserves it's own bullet, <span>Luis Scola</span> and Manu Ginobili spent a good 10 minutes at the scorers table during warmups just chatting. Then, in one of the pregame's most sublime moments, Manu's wife brought over their two sons to hang out with Luis and Manu. Not only did the kids seem familiar with Luis, Luis basically became Everybody's Favorite Funny Uncle to the kids, making silly faces and playing with them. A cuter moment was not to be had on the floor for the rest of the night.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Boris Diaw</span> had a bad night tonight. He was caught being lazy on a number of possessions (one in particular when he completely forgot to cover David West, who was left wide open for a lay-in), and he became something of a shot chucker when the Spurs offense started faltering. I don't begrudge Boris taking shots; he has proven that he's effective enough this season to look for his own shot. But what's interesting is when Boris decides to call his own play and doesn't get the shot he wants. Tonight, whenever the Spurs offensive set faltered for even a split second, even early in the shot clock, Boris took that to mean that the set was broken and he would have to create for himself. More often than not, against this superlative Pacer defense, that was a bad idea. </span></li>
<li><span>So although we focus on the terrible second and third quarters, we should point out that the last five minutes of this game were hilariously fun. With both scrub units on the floor, the Spurs generated a few open looks and began to slowly notch the lead down into the respectable high teens. At this point the end of the bench from the Pacers began stuttering and making rushed decisions which, against the eccentric Patty Mills, can lead to turnovers and shots at the other end. While the end of the game was never really in doubt, Mills, Aron Baynes, Belinelli, Matt Bonner and <span>Cory Joseph</span> made things interesting and fun for the remaining die-hard AT&T Center fans. The one play that's most worth noting was the last gasp of the wild hope of a comeback. With exactly a minute left and down 10, Patty Mills swiped the ball from an unsuspecting Luis Scola, and seeking to do his best Reggie Miller impression, darted down the court and pulled up for an above the break three (a play that, I should point out, he had been practicing during warmups). The crowd, amped-up that the deficit had been brought so low, audibly rose, then faded as the shot clanged. Again, the game was never really in doubt, but Patty Mills' NCAA-like chaos should be commended for giving the die-hards a reward for sticking around.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Going Forward</h3>
<p><b>@ <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a> (6-12), Tuesday December 10 at 6:00pm CST: </b>After a moderately hard two weeks of games (and nearly being burned in an arena fire), the Spurs have a chance to get back on track with four favorable teams in the coming week. First up is the Raptors, who were at one point leading the Titanic Division with an under-.500 record. Let's reflect on that for a second. Afterwards we visit Gary Neal and the dramatically underperforming Milwaukee Bucks, then home for Minnesota, a game that hopefully won't be postponed because of smoke. Finally we close it out against the ascendant <span>Trey Burke</span> and the plucky <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a>. Should be a resurgent week for the Spurs.</p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/12/8/5187296/morning-rehash-spurs-get-spursd-remain-good-nba-teamTyler Remmert2013-12-08T02:19:30-06:002013-12-08T02:19:30-06:00Spurs lose to Indiana Pacers in early season test
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Spurs started the game sharp and built a 13 point lead, but the Pacers put on a dominant performance from midway in the second quarter and through the third. Facing a 22 point deficit going into the fourth, the Spurs were unable to climb out of the huge deficit.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Indiana Pacers</a> are my second favorite team. I love how they play the game. It certainly helps that <span>George Hill</span> is on their roster, but I also like the other connections the Pacers share with the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Spurs</a>. <strike>Big</strike> giant-man <span>Roy Hibbert</span> trains with <span>Tim Duncan</span> in the off-season (though he needs to take one more page from Timmy's book, and quit running his mouth. I still like him, but when he says he wants to win Defensive Player of the Year, or proclaims in early December, that the Pacers and Blazers will meet in the Finals, it turns me off). <span>Luis Scola</span> was drafted by the Spurs, Jim Boylen and <span>Jeff Ayres</span> joined the Spurs from Indiana in the off-season. Like San Antonio, Indiana is a small market team that built their team through the draft and has managed its roster well. The Spurs and Pacers average draft pick among starters is 22nd and 20th, respectively. These two clubs play team basketball, and that is how the game should be played. So, I was really excited about this game. I wanted the Spurs to make a statement against the team with the best record in the NBA.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the Pacers also wanted to make a statement.</p>
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<h2>Buy Spurs vs Raptors Holiday tickets, come early and stay late</h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24574129/20121129_ter_sx9_487.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>In the next installment of the ticket deal that started on opening night, PtR readers will be able to buy a discounted ticket for the game on December 23rd versus the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Raptors</a>, get passes to enter the arena early to watch the teams warm up, and shoot a free throw on the court after the game. Plus, you'll receive a special Spurs holiday t-shirt. </span>
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<p>The Spurs had everything working for the first 15 minutes of the game. The defense was good and the offense was successful against the vaunted Indiana defense. It seemed like the Spurs had a solution to the Pacers D, and the Pacers were the ones having trouble scoring. The Spurs then went cold for five minutes, and the Pacers cut a 13 point deficit into a one point lead with three minutes left in the half. <span>Paul George</span> then made his case for MVP, scoring 11 points in those three short minutes, and the Pacers took a 52-48 lead into the half.</p>
<p>It's currently very cold in Austin, Texas, and I took advantage of halftime to go outside to clear the ice off of my girlfriend's windshield, so I missed the first two minutes of the third, and when I came back to the game, the Pacers were enjoying a 14-point lead. The San Antonio defense was unable to get any stops, giving up 35 points in the quarter. Nothing was going right for the Spurs, and everything was going right for the Pacers. Indiana out-rebounded the Spurs, and everything dropped for them. After missing their first six three-point attempts, the Pacers ended up hitting 9-of-19 from deep for the game. Indiana was just too much for the Spurs, and they took a 22-point lead into the final period.</p>
<p>The Pacers increased their lead to 26 (106-80) with five minutes left in the game, and the Good Guys were in need of a miracle if they were going to pull this one out. They almost got it as the lineup of <span>Cory Joseph</span>, <span>Patty Mills</span>, <span>Marco Belinelli</span>, <span>Matt Bonner</span>, and <span>Aron Baynes</span> put together a 15-0 run to cut the lead to 11 with a minute and a half left. Patty hit a three and the lead was just 10, but on the next possession <span>C.J. Miles</span> missed a layup and Luis Scola (to further remind Spurs fans that he never donned the Silver and Black) grabbed a big offensive rebound. It was highly unlikely that the Spurs could have come all the way back, but that rebound pretty much put the game away. Patty did steal Scola's pass after the board, and with the Spurs' last chance Mills took an open three instead of the open layup. I think that when you've just hit your last two threes, as Patty had, you've earned a right to shoot an open three with just a minute left in a 10 point game. But he missed it, and that was the end of this one.</p>
<p>For the first time this season, I'm a bit concerned about the Spurs. I still think they have what it takes to hang a banner, but as they continue to lose to good competition, I have more questions than confidence in the team. But it's a very long season, and I hope that the Spurs can put it all together when it actually matters. There are still 63 games before the second season starts.</p>
<p>For the opponents perspective, visit the always excellent <a href="http://www.indycornrows.com/">Indy Cornrows</a>.</p>
<h3>Observations</h3>
<ul>
<li><span>As Gregg Popovich pointed out, the Spurs allowed the Pacers to score 67 points in the second and third quarters. You just can't give up two quarters like that to a team as good as Indiana. It didn't help that the Spurs' offense could only muster 37 points in the same span. </span></li>
<li><span>Paul George is an incredible basketball player. I've watched maybe 10 Pacers games so far, and he's been great all season. But against a very good Spurs defense, he showed how ready he was to play tonight. He finished with 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 from deep. He also had four rebounds and six assists. </span></li>
<li><span>David West. Man, he's been a thorn in the side of the Spurs for a long time. Tonight he put together one of his best performances against San Antonio. 20 points on 12 shots. eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. He also didn't turn over the ball and finished with a +33 for the night. </span></li>
<li><span>53.5% - that is what the Pacers shot from the field tonight. If the Spurs want to beat a team that plays defense as well as Indiana, they are going to have to hold them to a poor offensive showing. The Spurs held them under 40% through the first 15 minutes of this one, so finishing the game at 53.5% shows just how hot they were through the rest of the game. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Manu Ginobili</span> was good tonight. Lamentably, the rest of the Spurs (minus Kawhi) couldn't get on the same page as the magician. Tonight, The Manu wasn't able to get his team going, but he continues to look good on the floor. He finished with 16 points on nine shots (which is excellent shooting considering the fact that he didn't get to the line once), didn't turn the ball over, and had a couple of pretty assists. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Kawhi Leonard</span> shot the ball well tonight, going 8-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-4 from distance. His defense wasn't perfect, but for the most part he was solid. I think this game will quiet all of the remaining comparisons with Paul George. Kawhi was good, and on the same level as PG on defense, but George is on another level offensively. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Tiago Splitter</span> was only able to play eight minutes in this one due to tightness in his calf. As much as I like Tiago, I don't think he would have made much of a difference tonight. I would have liked to see Hopefully the big man can get healthy soon. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Frank Vogel</span> has his team playing very, very good basketball. The Pacers are going to be hard for anyone to beat. Indiana finished with seven players in double figures for the game, including all of their starters. That reminds me of another team...</span></li>
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<div><span>The Spurs look to get back to their winning ways after a two-day break when they visit the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a> on Tuesday. </span></div>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/12/8/5186938/final-score-recap-spurs-pacers-111-100-december-7Chris Itz2013-12-07T21:49:54-06:002013-12-07T21:49:54-06:00Quick Cap: Indiana too much, Spurs lose, 111-100
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<p>Despite having a 13-point lead early in the second, Paul George and company proved too much to handle for the Spurs. David West was his usual excellent self when playing the Spurs, and the Pacers as a whole made a statement tonight. </p> <p></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 12.7.2013 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a> </span></td>
<td>20</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>24</td>
<td class="highlight">111</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> </span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>35</td>
<td class="highlight">100</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p>With the Spurs struggling offensively, <span>Manu Ginobili</span> did everything he could to bring his team back into the game, shooting 67% from the field and from three, as well as making several nice passes that weren't converted into points. Unfortunately, the spark he provided just didn't catch with the rest of the team.</p>
<p>The Pacers on the other hand looked, as their record suggests, like the best team in the league. Their defense was a problem the Spurs couldn't solve, and Indiana's offense was scorching tonight.</p>
<p>The Spurs' bench somehow made this one interesting at the end with a huge run, and they really looked like they had a chance to get back into this one after a <span>C.J. Watson</span> miss, but <span>Luis Scola</span> came up with a huge offensive rebound. After a steal, <span>Patty Mills</span> took a three instead of what would have been an open layup (not a bad decision when you're down 10 with a minute left), missed it, and that was the end.</p>
<p>Your Spurs slide to 15-4 for the season.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/12/7/5186830/quick-cap-spurs-fall-to-league-leading-pacers-111-100Chris Itz2013-12-07T02:00:03-06:002013-12-07T02:00:03-06:00Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>In a matchup of two of the top teams in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs take on the Indiana Pacers.</p> <div id="preview-wrapper">
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<h4><b>San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers</b></h4>
AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX<br>December 7, 2013, 7:30 PM Spurs Time<br> TV: FSSW- RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI</div>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-53e6e298-ca83-e6f1-3c88-7cb870564f80"> </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>A clash of NBA titans takes place tonight in San Antonio as the 15-3 Spurs take on the 17-2 Indiana Pacers in the first of the "biggest game of the Spurs' season" contests this regular season. We've seen the Spurs not take these types of regular season matchups as seriously as the league offices may like, but this game should provide a better look at how good both teams are entering the Christmas season.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p dir="ltr">The Pacers are one of the two only teams in the Eastern Conference that appear to have any chance of making it to the Finals. It is a dismal conference, but the cream of the crop just may be the Pacers, despite the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> coming off three-straight <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Finals</a> appearances and back-to-back NBA Championships. Why? Indiana is the best defensive team in the league, holding opponents to a league-best 87.5 points per game. It is a methodical, crisp team that Spurs fans of old should appreciate.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For Indiana it all starts with their budding superstar, Paul George. In a league full of star small forwards, George appears to be the heir to the crown in the East. He is averaging 24.6 points, over five rebounds and two steals a game this season in 36.5 minutes per game. His backcourt teammate George Hill missed three games with an injury, but has rebounded and recorded 30 minutes of play the last time out. Lance Stephenson has provided quality minutes for Indiana next to Hill, doing a bit of everything with a 12/6/5 line.</p>
<p dir="ltr">While their backcourt is a quality one, it is their size and depth that makes the Pacers a team to fear. The post duo of David West and Roy Hibbert both average over 12 points and 7 rebounds, and Hibbert leads the team with 9.1 rebounds a game and 3.4 blocks. In a league devoid of natural centers, Hibbert reigns supreme around the basket on the defensive end. Opponents tend to get sucked into jump-shooting competitions on the offensive side of the floor against Indiana because of the difficulty Hibbert and Co. present around the basket. The length and athleticism of the whole team makes for a group that plays strong individual and team defense.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The bench is impressive, as well. Luis Scola and C.J. Watson have provided quality minutes and some scoring off of the bench, while Ian Mahinmi gives Indiana a reason to give Hibbert rest.</p>
<p>Matchup to watch: It is usually the Spurs that enter games as the most-feared defense on the court. I'm normally more interested in how a team will attack the Spurs more so than the other way around. Not in this game, however. If the Spurs can hit mid-range to outside jump shots in this game not much will change for the San Antonio offense, but if those shots aren't falling it will be interesting to see how Popovich tries to attack the forest of trees waiting around the basket when Hibbert is on the floor.</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/IND.gif" style="width: 120px; height: 76px;"></center></td>
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<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>Boris Diaw</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Tim Duncan</span><br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br><span>Manu Ginobili</span><br><span>Marco Belinelli</span><br><span>Patty Mills</span><br><br><b>Head Coach</b><br><span>Gregg Popovich</span></p>
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<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 12px;"><b>Lineups</b></div>
<p><b>Starters</b><br><b>PG:</b> <span>George Hill</span><br><b>SG:</b> <span>Lance Stephenson</span><br><b>SF:</b> <span>Paul George</span><br><b>PF:</b> <span>David West</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Roy Hibbert</span><br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br><span>Luis Scola</span><br><span>Ian Mahinmi</span><br><span>C.J. Watson</span></p>
<br><b>Head Coach</b><br><p><span>Frank Vogel</span></p>
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<p>Pacers perspective can be found here: <a href="http://www.indycornrows.com/">Indy Cornrows</a></p>
<p>Game Prediction: Spurs by 2.</p>
<p>As always <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#tonydominatefisher">Tony must dominate Fisher</a>, 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.</p>
<p>Get your San Antonio Spurs tickets from Daniel Farias with Spurs Sports & Entertainment:</p>
<p>Tel: 210-444-5607 | <span>dfarias@attcenter.com</span></p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/12/7/5183894/game-preview-san-antonio-spurs-vs-indiana-pacersMike Craven