Pounding The Rock - Full Coverage: San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail BlazersFor all your Manu Ginobili loving and San Antonio Spurs newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/12497/ptr-fv.jpg2014-01-18T15:31:37-06:00http://www.poundingtherock.com/rss/stream/50848012014-01-18T15:31:37-06:002014-01-18T15:31:37-06:00GIF Breakdown: Spurs vs. Trailblazers
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The meeting between the West's top teams resulted in some truly incredible plays. Here are a few that are worth a second, and closer, look.</p> <p>The top teams in the league bring out the best in each other. That truism was on full display during Friday night's game between the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> and Trailblazers, as the following plays show. Unfortunately, the home team wasn't able to come away with the victory, but we can still marvel at the <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#amazinebrillian" target="_blank"><i>amazine</i></a> plays that made it a back-and-forth affair well into the 4th quarter.</p>
<p>Early in the game, it was obvious that <span>Tony Parker's</span> injured shin was holding him back, but as <span>Boris Diaw</span> sets a pick on Damien Lillard to free Parker, <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> has to leave Diaw and slide over to prevent the easy layup. But Tony gives the ball up to <span>Marco Belinelli</span>, who is chased off the three-point line and finds a wide-open Boris cutting to the basket for the bucket.</p>
<p>Just following the ball to watch the overall flow of this play is a blast, but it's worth a second and third look: first to see where the defensive breakdown occurs as Aldridge gets lost after helping on Parker, and second to focus on Diaw as he moves without the ball and occupies an open passing lane so that Marco can find him and make the assist.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3879513/passing_to_Boris_layup.gif" class="photo" alt="Passing_to_boris_layup"><br id="1390071201163"></p>
<p><span>Manu Ginobili</span> with the ball in a triple-threat position is a dangerous proposition, so it's no wonder that <span>C.J. McCollum</span> is down a full crouch to keep Manu from faking and driving around him. But on this play, the lack of defensive pressure on Ginobili allows him to hold the ball and pick apart the defense with this pinpoint pass to the cutting <span>Patty Mills</span>.</p>
<p>Also pay attention to the way Mills positions the man defending him, <span>Mo Williams</span>, until he's right in front of <span>Jeff Ayres</span> before diving into the paint. As soon as Patty loses Williams, Manu wants to make the pass, and it's fun to watch his patience for just the right moment to make the assist. Finally, in another look at how the Spurs offense is always working, if the pass to Mills hadn't been there, Jeff Ayres is setting a screen for Manu to use even as Ginobili is letting go of the ball.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3879561/Manu_to_Mills_1-17.gif" class="photo" alt="Manu_to_mills_1-17"><br id="1390071065209"></p>
<p>For me, this is one of the season's most enjoyable Cream Shakes from Diaw, even though as I was watching the game last night, I was upset that he didn't take the three because he was so open. Starting with a pump fake to make <span>Wesley Matthews</span> commit, after four dribbles, a spin, three pivots and two more pump fakes, Boris has an open look from inside five feet.</p>
<p>But really, calling the set of moves he makes in the lane <i>pump fakes</i> doesn't tell the whole story. Boris would have turned any of them into a shot if he'd been open. The way he stays balanced while beginning a shot, gauging Matthews, and moving through his progression -- pure basketball bliss.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3879529/Bobo_awesome_CREAM_SHAKE_1-14.gif" class="photo" alt="Bobo_awesome_cream_shake_1-14"><br id="1390071163962"></p>
<p>We've been joking forever about how <span>Tim Duncan</span> would play point guard if <span>Gregg Popovich</span> would let him, but this is the most egregious example of that dynamic that I've ever seen. After getting the rebound, Timmy goes beyond simply bringing the ball up the court, he calls the play and ignores both <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> and Diaw as they cycle past him looking for a hand-off. Then, with <span>Robin Lopez</span> guarding him, he does his best Tony Parker impression, going between his legs and driving into the middle of the lane, and avoiding Matthews' steal attempt before turning to sling a pass to a wide-open Marco for a three-point swish.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that Duncan did this after Pop had been ejected from the game, which makes me wonder whether he'd have given the ball up sooner if <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-nickname-dictionary#Extraneous-G" target="_blank">the Extraneous G</a> had been sitting courtside. What would the coach have thought of a driving-and-dishing Duncan drawing the defense and dealing dimes? Guess we'll never know.</p>
<p><img alt="Big_fun_running_point__dish_to_beli" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3879545/Big_Fun_running_point__dish_to_Beli.gif"><br id="1390071412580"></p>
<p>Manu had a fantastic third quarter against Portland, helping the Spurs come back from a twelve point deficit to lead the game going into the fourth. We've seen him pull off a lot of crazy plays over his career in San Antonio, but this is one I don't recall ever seeing before.</p>
<p>At the end of this snaking drive that takes him around Duncan twice, Manu finally gets <span>Nicolas Batum</span> behind him and sets off toward the basket, fully intent on dropping it off to Duncan for a layup. But as he leaves his feet, Aldridge jumps to defend the pass and Manu ... well, he changes the pass to a shot at the absolutely last second and with barely a glance at the basket. It goes in, of course. That's just the kind of quarter it was for Manu.</p>
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<p>And here's the final play of that incredible quarter. Manu frees himself from Williams with a Duncan screen, picks up his dribble on the right side of the lane, changes directions with a Euro-step that carries him to the left side of the basket and lays it up and -- after hanging on the heel for quite some time -- eventually in ... as the buzzer sounds.</p>
<p>Not bad for a 36-year-old.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3879553/Manu_layup__sits_on_rim_1-14.gif" class="photo" alt="Manu_layup__sits_on_rim_1-14"><br id="1390071276895"></p>
<p>Plays like this are such a surprise when they come in the flow of the game. As awareness tests show us (like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4" target="_blank">this famous one where you count the passes</a> made by the white team) there are just so many things our minds can concentrate on at once. And so it is that when we watch Patty Mills drive and follow the ball with our eyes as it misses, we are simply unable to track Duncan's progress as he appears out of nowhere to do this.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3879577/Timmy_put_back.gif" class="photo" alt="Timmy_put_back"><br id="1390071340684"></p>
<p>Not bad for a 37-year-old.</p>
<h4>Two Bonus GIFs</h4>
<p>Here's Tim again, thinking he's a point guard. Dribbling between his legs, surveying the court, waiting for the offense to present an opportunity. He doesn't have to wait long as Gino sets a screen for Tony, which shifts Batum's attention off of Manu. Marco's cutting, Ayres is setting another screen to free Tony. The movement, the misdirection, the timing, the pinpoint pass. Such a pretty play.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3881029/timmy_to_manu.gif" class="photo" alt="Timmy_to_manu"><br id="1390087626188"></p>
<p>Check out this one-handed rebound by Kawhi, because you know, he's like, 65% hands.</p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/18/5322450/gif-breakdown-spurs-vs-trailblazersJ.R. Wilco2014-01-18T03:03:13-06:002014-01-18T03:03:13-06:00Rehash: Cedars falling on the show
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<figcaption>Slightly embellished but it feels like this</figcaption>
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<p>Irritants. Headaches. That gritty nuisance that you just can't shake. We all have them but it seems San Antonio had more than its fair share on Friday night.</p> <p>The sky has been a hazy brown across San Antonio and the Hill Country for the past several days. As a native West Texan, the color in the sky is familiar to me, but this isn't New Mexico sand blowing across the South Plains -- this is pollen, and more specifically cedar pollen, which is making life miserable for hundreds of thousands across Central Texas.</p>
<p>The cedar hasn't been this bad in 13 years and it's irritating as hell, which is a perfect segue to rehash the game against the Portland Trail Blazers.</p>
<p><span>Gregg Popovich</span> was in a good mood in the hours leading up to the game. He joked and answered questions for over five minutes in the pregame presser which isn't always the case. He came out during the shoot-around, which is even rarer, and sat on the bench for a while, got up and chatted with <span>Tony Parker</span>, obviously making sure he was good to go, and then sat with R.C. Buford before disappearing through the tunnel.</p>
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<p><i>Cedar. Your eyes burn and you'll swear you can rub the microscopic cedar splinters out that are blurring your vision if you do it carefully enough. </i></p>
<p>And what made the strange night even stranger was Tim Duncan's demeanor in the pre-game. He didn't try to shadow box <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> prior to player introductions. He did his layup routine after the captains met at half court, but Sean Elliott was long gone so he wasn't able to shove him off his stool. Even when the lights went down he just seemed to be going through the motions. He won the tip and then jogged to his spot, caught a pass and drained a jumper, but something didn't seem right.</p>
<p><i>It's almost as if you can feel the cedar slowly falling and settling on your skin. Of course you can't see it, but you know it's there. My four-year-old has been asking to take a hot bath every night and he hates taking a bath. The cedar starts to consume you.</i></p>
<p>The first quarter was typical <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a>. It was back and forth but they gave you the impression they had the game in control. Even when <span>Boris Diaw</span> was called for a carry after covering 23 feet with one dribble, it still felt like this might be the night for San Antonio to rid the irritant.</p>
<p><i>Collars are the worst. You feel like if you can just get rid of the collar and get a t-shirt on everything will be ok. The itching feeling is slightly embarrassing but it's ever present. The cedar is winning.</i></p>
<p>In the second quarter <span>Manu Ginobili</span> had an absolutely sick no-look to <span>Patty Mills</span> for a layup that put the Spurs up 31-27. Still, the irritant wouldn't go away. The referees decided to join in on the "let's annoy the crap out of San Antonio party" which made things worse. No matter what the Spurs did, Portland was there with an answer. Kawhi Leonard makes a nice layup? OK well here you go, we're gonna break Matt Bonner's nose.</p>
<p><i>You can also feel the cedar in your throat. It's not like the flu - it's just this constant itchy feeling that makes you want to get a rake and rub it up and down on your neck, hard.</i></p>
<p>It was the third quarter when things came to a head. Portland started the second half with a five-point lead, and increased it to 10 when Pop decided he'd seen enough. Full moons, cedar pollen, <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> making every shot and then Boris Diaw just getting absolutely mugged finally pushed Pop over the edge. He walked out on the court as the timeout began with 7:18 to go in the third and yelled at the referee, which isn't out of the ordinary. But then he kept yelling. And then he yelled at the other referees. Then there was the whole "hold me back Ime or I'm gonna bite a referee" moment when they T'd him up a second time and sent him to the locker room, to massive cheers from the AT&T Center crowd.</p>
<p><i>Cedar makes your hair itch, especially the back, around the ears. This damn cedar just won't stop irritating. You scratch your head, but it's only a temporary relief.</i></p>
<p>This was when things got interesting. The crowd was really into it, and Ginobili was absolutely going off, scoring 18 points, including an excruciatingly good layup to end the third where the ball stayed balanced on the rim for six minutes. But the irritating part was that LaMarcus Aldridge had 12 and kept the Trailblazers in the game.</p>
<p><i>It really does feel like you can feel the tiny embers landing on your face. You'll get a warm washcloth and let your face rest as you slowly wipe across the forehead, then cheeks, and neck and then back again. Unfortunately the relief is only temporary.</i></p>
<p>The fourth quarter is when the irritants finally caught up and overwhelmed. The Spurs fought to keep the game close, but Aldridge and the Trail Blazers prevailed 109-100.</p>
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<h4><span>Standard Pop Quote</span></h4>
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<p>"Yes I kinda guessed that. He likes us a lot."</p>
<p>-Coach Pop when asked if he was aware that LaMarcus Aldridge has a higher FG % against the Spurs than any other team in the league</p>
</blockquote>
<h4><span>Spur of the moment</span></h4>
<p>Despite the fact that Manu tried to pass the ball to the ref for a corner three in the final minutes, he had a fantastic game. 29 points in 25 minutes on 9 of 17 shooting with 4 threes, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. He had a huge third quarter and kept the Spurs in the game. Sometimes I just try to forget everything else that's going on in the world and just watch Manu and enjoy the moment.</p>
<h4><span>By the Numbers</span></h4>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span><b>1: </b>Assist by LaMarcus Aldridge, but it doesn't matter when you make every dang shot you shoot.</span></li>
<li><span><b>50%:</b> Actual shot % by Aldridge (11-22) but I still say he made everything he threw up.</span></li>
<li><span><b>75%: </b>Kawhi's FG% because he only shot 4 times. He seems very reluctant to pull the trigger.</span></li>
<li><span><b>37:42:</b> Minutes from Boris, most of any Spur. Ice baths and potassium, Boris. We need your big-boy pirouettes come Sunday.</span></li>
<li><span><b>1: </b>Marriage proposal during the Taco Cabana Kiss Me Cam tonight. It was a pretty cool moment but of course the Coyote was right in the middle of it, doing his best Michael Scott impression trying to grab all the attention. Great move by the future groom, but he should've known what he was getting into making a deal with the Coyote.</span></li>
</ul>
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<h4><span>Odds and Ends</span></h4>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>There was a lady right beside me that kept getting up and standing in the aisle and trying to swing a lasso like a real cowboy. I hope some of the guys tweeted something about it.</span></li>
<li><span>Bill Schoening did the "Countdown to Lights Down" before the pre-game introductions on the big screen. I'll bet you five bucks if you've never seen Bill and only listened to his game calls on WOAI you couldn't pick him out of a line-up -- and I'll give you three tries. He's the Keyser Soze of broadcasters.</span></li>
<li><span>The Spurs really, really want you to buy a Spurs dancer calendar. Please buy a calendar.</span></li>
<li><span>The first song I heard when I got to the arena at 5:20 was Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier. No big news, just a nice change of pace.</span></li>
<li> <span>One possible positive from Bonner's broken nose: Let's say he gets really attached to a mask ala </span><span>Richard Hamilton</span><span> and starts getting it painted with red mambas and Japanese anime characters. It could be epic.</span> </li>
<li><span>There is so much basketball knowledge in this picture. I mean, Boris knows his basketball.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3879361/securedownload.jpeg" class="photo" alt="Securedownload"><br id="1390028678518"></p>
<h4><span>Tweets of the night</span></h4>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>At a timeout, Pop heard Matty had a broken nose. &quot;I looked at him and it was in the wrong place,&quot; Pop said, &quot;and I knew they were right.&quot;</p>&mdash; Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/statuses/424411568403537920">January 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>&quot;They made a lot of shots, a lot of three&#39;s. We just have to keep pounding the rock.&quot; - Tony Parker reminding everyone it&#39;s mid-January</p>&mdash; Paul Garcia PS (@PaulGarciaPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaPS/statuses/424399052365496320">January 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>This is INSANE. Mtn Cedar trees in TX are releasing so much pollen that 911 is getting calls about trees on fire! <a href="http://t.co/BvfgBH1Hti">pic.twitter.com/BvfgBH1Hti</a></p>&mdash; James Aydelott (@jamesaydelott) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesaydelott/statuses/424007861539074050">January 17, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>snorting cedar pollen like a true south Texan.</p>&mdash; Manny Prince (@MannyHydra) <a href="https://twitter.com/MannyHydra/statuses/424423815565676544">January 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Greg Popovich aint afraid of nobody with <span>Ime Udoka</span> holdin him back. Word on the street is Ime beat up an entire team one time. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23spurs&amp;src=hash">#spurs</a></p>&mdash; Mitchell Snarr (@Mitchell2720) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitchell2720/statuses/424438687707828224">January 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>We&#39;re losing Spurs left and right, people.</p>&mdash; Aaron (@DukeOfBexar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DukeOfBexar/statuses/424374429934571522">January 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><i>Cedar. It will keep you up at night and you're constantly rubbing the Aldridges and referees out of your eyes. It's the tiny, tiny slivers of cedar that irritate the most.</i></p>
<p>Here's the thing about irritants though: Whether it's cedar pollen, <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Trail Blazers</a>, referees, or Miley Cyrus, all irritants subside. Cedar and the Trail Blazers beat us tonight, but we'll get up. We'll get up, take a hot bath and be ready for the next battle.</p>
<p>And cedar pollen won't be around in June.</p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/18/5321202/rehash-cedars-falling-on-the-showTravis Hale2014-01-18T00:51:08-06:002014-01-18T00:51:08-06:00Spurs fail to contain Blazers, lose 109-100
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Spurs by way of Manu Ginobili found themselves in a one-point game entering the fourth, but the shots didn't fall and the Blazers couldn't be stopped. </p> <p>Well the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> again failed to get a win versus a plus .600 team, GSW's recent winning putting them over .600 excluded. It's never fun to lose, but losing this game sucked. It did. The Blazers <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/analysis-7/2013/11/4/5065952/spurs-defense-weakness-jumpers-blazers-warriors-curry-aldridge">for some reason</a> have owned San Antonio lately. It started well before this season. Portland has beaten the Spurs 13 of their last 18 games dating back to Halloween 2008. The Blazers haven't won a playoff series in 14 years. They made it three straight times from 09-11, always losing easily in the first round, and were 26 games under .500 the last two seasons.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> got off to a hot start this season. It helps when you play the easiest schedule by far out of the entire West. In fact, they're the only team in the West that's played a schedule where their opponent's win percentage was under .500. It's easier to rack up wins when you get to play 17 games against the Leastern Conference out of your first 38.</p>
<p>It's about to get a lot tougher for Rip City. Their next eight games are against Denver, Minnesota, Memphis, Toronto, and on the road at Dallas, Houston, OKC, and Golden State. I'll be interested to look at the standings at the beginning of February. I expect the Spurs will have a couple of game cushion at least.</p>
<p>That all said. Man, Portland is really good. They've got a ton of offensive weapons at their disposal. Damien Lillard is a bad man. Outside of my Manu-homerdom I'm not sure there's a guy in the league I would rather have taking the last shot than that cold-blooded assassin. <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> is playing the best ball of his career, and guys like Wes Matthews, <span>Nicolas Batum</span>, and <span>Robin Lopez</span> make them a very difficult team to cover. To make matters worse they also have Spurs-killer Mo Williams.</p>
<p>Looking at the Spurs' record at home this season, they are <i>only </i>winning 72% of their games at the AT&T Center, while winning 83% of games on the road. Strange. When you also factor in SA's record to Portland over the last six seasons, as well as being down two of their best seven players (not that I think the Spurs would have won this one with a full squad), I expected a loss tonight. Pop's ejection gave me hope, and then Manu's absolute brilliance had me thinking we would win this one. Not tonight...</p>
<p>J.R. Wilco and I were talking the other night and he was fearful of the Blazers and the particular matchup issues they give the Spurs. The Spurs give up the mid-range, and Portland just eats those looks up. I was less fearful, and I still maintain that OKC will be the toughest hurdle to clear if the Spurs are to get back to the Finals, but after tonight the Blazers have my attention. Defense is still king as far as I'm concerned, and the defense the Spurs played tonight wasn't good enough, but I don't think Portland is among the truly elite in the West, that still belongs to just SA and OKC.</p>
<p>Tonight though, the Trail Blazers convinced me they are right there on the cusp, getting better, getting dangerous. While I don't think that a jump-shooting team is suited to the slower, physical style of the playoffs (GSW, anyone?) Portland is now a team I hope the Spurs can avoid in the postseason.</p>
<h4>The Game</h4>
<p>The two teams played to an even 27-point tie at the end of the first. The first eight minutes of the game saw the Spurs' offense looking pretty good and they held the Blazers to 5-12 from the field while forcing three turnovers. The end of the quarter saw Portland on a 14-7 run. Manu hit a three to tie the game before the quarter break. Boris did a good job on LaMarcus when he was tasked with that tough cover, as he took a charge and stole the ball from Aldridge while making life for the Portland big man uncomfortable. LMA didn't get the ball in the spots he wanted, and when he got the ball Bobo was there, playing good D, holding LMA to just four attempts and two buckets.</p>
<p>Both teams started the second quarter cold. They combined for seven points in the first 3:20 of the period. After shooting 52% in the first, the Spurs' shooting was at just 43% a little over halfway through the quarter. They finished 7-20 from the field in the second and found themselves down five entering the half. There were also some turnover issues that contributed to the disappointing quarter. To make matters worse, <span>Matt Bonner</span> was headbutted by <span>Thomas Robinson</span>, so hard his nose was broken, and no call was made. That's just not right.</p>
<p>The Spurs started the third quarter shooting cold again. The Good Guys were down by 10 five minutes into the quarter before Pop lost his mind as Aldridge was allowed to bully his way against Boris in the post. The refs were letting LMA push-off and slam his shoulder into the chest of Bobo as he pleased. The officiating tonight was bad. It wasn't bad in Portland's favor, as they were robbed of a couple of possessions the Spurs should not have had (Kawhi standing out of bounds to "save" one comes to mind), it was just bad. You've never read me complaining about the officiating, and in no way am I saying it had any impact on the game's outcome, but there were bad calls both ways all night and it wasn't fun to watch.</p>
<p>Following technical free-throws after the ejection the Spurs were down 12. We've seen the Spurs respond well to Pop getting tossed on many occasions. Extraneous G knows how to fire up his squad. The Spurs had the deficit in single figures when Manu checked back in with 5:47 left in the quarter. Manu then went off. I mean, this was one of the best five-minute stretches I've ever seen him play. The 35 year-old outscored the Blazers 18-8 by himself to give the Spurs a one-point lead heading into the deciding quarter.</p>
<p>If there is anything good to take away from this game it has to be the way that Manu played. Not that we didn't know, but that guy is one of the all-time gamers. He sported the least amount of hair ever tonight, presumably because he did better in the wind tunnel with less, and he's still got the drive, the talent, and the will. That makes me feel confident going forward.</p>
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<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Portland Trail Blazers blog Blazer's Edge</a></div>
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<p>After Gino did everything for the Spurs to get them back in the game, including that awesome layup to end the third, the Spurs played the first half of the fourth close with The Manu getting some rest. With five minutes left in the game and the Spurs down one Ginobili checked himself back into the game. Those seven minutes on the pine cooled him off, and the Blazers knocked down a slew of shots before Wes Matthews' three put them up nine with just 1:24 to play. That was the ballgame.</p>
<p>Lot's of credit to the Blazers, who didn't let the raucous AT&T Center and Manu's explosion rattle them. Very impressive.</p>
<p>Check out the always passionate Blazer's fan perspective at <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/" target="_blank">Blazers Edge</a>.</p>
<p>Next up the Spurs get a cupcake. The completely horrible <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> come into the Alamo City to battle the Spurs on Sunday. That should be an easy win, and then the Spurs get two days off before they get another chance to beat OKC on Wednesday.</p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/18/5321108/recap-spurs-lose-fourth-lose-game-109-100Chris Itz2014-01-17T22:05:03-06:002014-01-17T22:05:03-06:00Final Score: Spurs lose to Blazers, 109-100
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Bonner's nose was broken, Pop was ejected, and Manu played one of his greatest five minutes ever to give the Spurs a one-point lead going into the fourth. </p> <p></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 1.17.2014 </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.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> </span></td>
<td>27</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>32</td>
<td class="highlight">109</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>27</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>22</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>In the end the Spurs couldn't get stops and the Blazers hit their jumpers. This was a fun game between two good teams, but it's hard to feel good after that loss.</p>
<p>The Good Guys fought hard after Pop was tossed following his tirade directed at the officials after <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> got away with another lowered shoulder or push-off, I forget which, he got away with it all night. Manu exploded for 18 points in the last five and a half minutes of the third and the momentum was in San Antonio's favor.</p>
<p>SA missed jumpers and failed to stop the Portland offense in the fourth as they lost the quarter by 10.</p>
<p>We'll get into the game in the recap.</p>
<p>Your Spurs fall to 31-9, still a half game up on the Blazers.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/17/5320780/final-scoreChris Itz2014-01-17T02:01:08-06:002014-01-17T02:01:08-06:00Game Preview: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The top two teams in the West get set to match up against each other on Friday night.</p> <div id="preview-wrapper">
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<h4><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a></b></h4>
AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX<br>January 17th, 2014, 7:30 PM Spurs Time<br> TV: FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI</div>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-2e2e68ea-9e09-a001-f3d3-6da2e270b412"> </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7d4bdf87-9e1d-0463-91fb-7f0921666eeb"> </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Western Conference powers collide tonight when the San Antonio Spurs host the Portland Trailblazers for the second game of a four-game home-stand that ends with a contest against Oklahoma City on Wednesday. San Antonio is on a five-game winning-streak and lead the Western Conference with 31 wins coming into the second game against a Portland team that is surprisingly in second place in the Western Conference in front of teams like OKC and the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a>.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr">After starting the season on a hot-streak any gambler in Las Vegas would trade their own mother for, the Trailblazers have hit a lull in their success since around Christmas, actually losing four-out-of-five games as the last year ended and this year started, but Portland has righted the ship with three-straight wins heading into the showdown with a Spurs team it beat 115-105 in the third game of the season.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In that game, LaMarcus Aldridge matched Tim Duncan with 24 points, while Nicolas Batum recorded a triple-double (thanks to a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer) and Damian Lillard and Wesley Mathews lit it up from the perimeter, each making three three-point baskets in the Portland victory.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The recipe for success that Portland used in the first game will be much the same as it will be tonight. Unlike most teams that go from playoff hopeful to conference contender, Portland already has a great feel for itself on the basketball court. Many up-start teams are uncomfortable in its own skin, causing issues down the stretch and inconsistency. Portland has had some ups-and-downs of late, but it is due to the drag of winter-time basketball plus a let-down on the defensive end. But make no mistake, Portland is a real contender with scary talent and a distribution of skills across multiple positions. The puzzle fits very well in Portland.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Portland leads the league in scoring with 109.1 points a game. The Trailblazers are second in rebounds per game and third in assists. The efficiency and fluidity of its offensive style is impressive. Damian Lillard and Aldridge have possibily become the league's best and most polished young inside/out duo. Each average over 20 points and each have over a 20 PER, the only two on the team that can boast either. Wesley Matthews has become a steady third scoring option from the off-guard position and Batum is a guy that will do anything to help his team win. Add Robin Lopez controlling the middle and a healthy C.J. McCollum off of the bench and you have the looks of a team building towards something special.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The issue? Defense. Portland gives up the 26th most points per game in the league and it is the lone thing that can hold this team back from placing itself in the echelon of Western Conference powers with the likes of San Antonio. On a good night, there is no question that Portland is one of the best teams in the NBA and one capable of beating any team on the schedule. However, the defensive inconsistencies will need to be fixed for Portland to be a legitimate contender in a series instead of just in the regular season.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Key matchup to watch: With Danny Green out for around a month with an injury to his hand, the Spurs are forced to start Manu Ginobili, leaving a void on the second unit. We could see Portland have an advantage off of the bench with a healthy McCollum. The starting units will be very similar in talent levels, so the team that wins the bench may win the game.</p>
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<td style="padding-top: 12px;" colspan="3"><center><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/SAS.gif"></center></td>
<td style="padding-top: 12px;" colspan="3"><center><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/POR.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>Tim Duncan</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Jeff Ayres</span><br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br><span>Manu Ginobili</span><br><span>Boris Diaw</span><br><span>Marco Belinelli</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>Damian Lillard</span><br><b>SG:</b> <span>Wesley Matthews</span><br><b>SF:</b> <span>Nicolas Batum</span><br><b>PF:</b> <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Robin Lopez</span><br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br><span>Mo Williams</span><br><span>C.J. McCollum</span><br><span>Thomas Robinson</span></p>
<br><b>Head Coach</b><br><p><span>Terry Stotts</span></p>
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<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Portland Trail Blazers blog Blazer's Edge</a></div>
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<p>Portland perspective can be found at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/">Blazer's Edge.</a></p>
<p>Game Prediction: Spurs by 3.</p>
<p>Opening Line in Vegas: Spurs by 6</p>
<p>As always <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#tonydominatefisher" target="_blank">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/2014/1/17/5317634/game-preview-san-antonio-spurs-vs-portland-trail-blazersMike Craven