Pounding The Rock - Full Coverage: Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio SpursFor all your Manu Ginobili loving and San Antonio Spurs newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/12497/ptr-fv.jpg2014-01-30T19:01:05-06:00http://www.poundingtherock.com/rss/stream/51238372014-01-30T19:01:05-06:002014-01-30T19:01:05-06:00GIF Breakdown: Spurs vs. Bulls
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oYwuPQhmGNHnx_zNpCocUS9wsvo=/0x100:4000x2767/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27758707/20140129_pjc_aq8_221.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let's look at some plays from Wednesday night's game. There's even a Tim Duncan alley-oop dunk. </p> <p>I highly encourage you to read <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/30/5360470/morning-rehash-trouble-weighs-a-ton" target="_blank">Caleb Saenz's rehash</a> if you haven't, excellent stuff from him as usual.</p>
<p>I think <span>Tony Parker</span>, <span>Tim Duncan</span>, and maybe Pop talked before the game and decided that they were going to get Tim a couple of alley-oops. Watch the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> move the ball around the arc and in to Timmy for the easy alley-oop layup without dribbling. I don't think <span>Joakim Noah</span> ever considered this being a possibility. Nando de Colo sets a screen in the paint, and the screen is enough to give Duncan the airspace he needs.</p>
<p><img alt="Tim_half_alley" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3933641/tim_half_alley.gif"><br id="1391124398735"></p>
<p>Check this out. The Spurs run the exact same play on the opposite side of the floor in the second half. The ball moves around the arc, no dribble, <span>Marco Belinelli</span> sets the screen this time, Noah falls for it again, and Duncan finishes with the alley-oop dunk. I wonder if Manu drew it up. Pop? Timmy?</p>
<p><img alt="Tim_full_alley" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3933639/tim_full_alley.gif"><br id="1391124902626"></p>
<p>I'm not sure that <span>Othyus Jeffers</span> is an NBA caliber player. I'll say this, he's not lacking hustle. Here he fights like crazy for a loose ball he poked away from <span>Carlos Boozer</span> and forces a jump-ball.</p>
<p><img alt="Jeffers_hustle" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3934479/jeffers_hustle.gif"></p>
<p>Here's a Tony Parker drive against Noah. Noah plays him pretty well, but TP knocks down the Manu-esque step-back jumper. It's really tough to defend that. For all you <span>Patty Mills</span> towel-wave fans, notice "The Slapper."</p>
<p><img alt="Tony_drive_2" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3934979/tony_drive_2.gif"><br id="1391128465442"></p>
<p>Look at all of the movement on the court during this play. Chicago does a nice job of sticking with the Spurs, but the Masked Mamba slips through the defense and <span>Cory Joseph</span> finds him with a nice pass for an easy layup. I like this play aesthetically - the motion is wonderful.</p>
<p><img alt="Cojo_to_bonner" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3934587/cojo_to_bonner.gif"><br id="1391128312332"></p>
<p>Look at the Spicy One follow up his miss with a rebound and a put-back. Marco has his shot blocked by Noah, but fights for the ball and is rewarded with a kind bounce. Belinelli is excellent around the rim - his 63% at the rim is elite. This bunny is no problem. Check out his shot chart following the GIF.</p>
<p><img alt="Beli_stick_with_it" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3934755/beli_stick_with_it.gif"><br id="1391128921818"></p>
<p><img alt="Shotchart_1391129190568" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3935019/Shotchart_1391129190568.png"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Let's end this Breakdown with a description from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/authors/j-r-wilco">JRW</a>:</p>
<p>Every time I see Boris get from somewhere around the three point line all the way to the bucket with nothing but his wits, some crafty dribbling, and the occasional fake -- I think of this passage from <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/12/12/5200582/boris-diaw-pass-assist-shoot-crazy-cool" target="_blank">one of this season's best posts</a> on Ptr:</p>
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<p>And, as he spun, he moved forward towards the rim; forming one oscillation in a sort of ponderous time helix, moving at 20 feet per rotation and one rotation every 5 seconds. After he made his way -- with the ball in geosynchronously wide orbit -- to the hoop, he stopped his spin and his forward momentum.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So this drive didn't feature that "geosynchronously wide orbit" dribble, as DewNo called it, but just about everything else is on display here. There's the initial dribble in a direction that he has no intention of continuing in. There's the behind-the-back dribble spin move that seems too slow to work, but somehow does. There's the sudden stop that leaves his man still retreating, followed by a variation on an up-and-under move followed by an underhand released layup that spins the ball up the back board and gently into the basket.</p>
<p><img alt="Boris_drive" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3934811/boris_drive.gif"><br id="1391132855490"></p>
<p> </p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/30/5362640/gif-breakdown-spurs-vs-bullsChris Itz2014-01-30T08:46:48-06:002014-01-30T08:46:48-06:00Morning Rehash: Trouble Weighs a Ton
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<img alt="January is the cruellest month." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aOAod2UTaUuSyDR3_huRE0WamPE=/0x0:3540x2360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27716689/20140129_pjc_aq8_215.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>January is the cruellest month. | Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In a loss against the Chicago Bulls, the depleted Spurs get a glimpse of the ugliness that lies ahead.</p> <p>From the letters of Timothy Theodore Duncan:</p>
<p><i>October 30, 2013</i></p>
<p>There were never four months as long as these that I have spent away from your presence, my prize. I have wandered like a vagabond across a desert of my own wounds, festering in the open sun of a treasure that slipped my grasp. I could only watch patiently as the days passed, each with its own unique sadness, chain links holding down the great weight that was heaped upon my chest when you disappeared so suddenly. I will find you again. Today showed me as much. It was the first step on the great journey to your front door. I slayed the bear for all to witness, and I confidently proclaimed my intentions. Before my time is through, we shall see our reunion become a reality. ~ <i>Timothy</i></p>
<p><i>December 31, 2013</i></p>
<p>This has not been the grueling quest I had envisioned some months ago. Our troop has held ranks quite well, and we all maintain the confidence that our journey will not end before we reach our glorious destiny. Still, there are questions that trouble our minds, clouding our sunniest days and grounding our collective optimism. Though we have pushed through the smoothest terrains to make great time, we seem to lose ground whenever we encounter those rare instances of adverse weather. Those days are few and far between, particularly in our travels east, but no journey will ever be complete by a group of gentlemen that cannot handle the heavy rains and frigid winter air. Beyond that, there is talk among our men of a plague that has swept through other garrisons competing for our prize. I have done my best to quell such superstitions, but I confess that the specificity of the rumors brings chills up my spine. In these moments of weakness, I can only meditate on holding you in my arms. ~ <i>Timothy</i></p>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p><i>January 4, 2014</i></p>
<p>The sunny days of our travels are growing less frequent, and today, our troop has been dealt its harshest blow yet. Sergeant Splitter was felled suddenly in an accident in the line of duty, and will likely be out of service to our mission for some time. It was particularly painful to witness because Mr. Splitter was in the midst of one of his most productive days yet. He was leading our group with great gusto and even a bit of childlike whimsy. I fear that his temporary departure has left an imperceptible mark upon the confidence of my men. The tales I've heard of accursed troops in other lands have begun with similar circumstances. Surely these are the tales of bored men who are only trying to pass the grueling time spent traversing unpaved wilderness. Surely these are only the works of impassioned imaginations. Alas, there is no time for fear here. We will press on in the absence of our comrade. ~ <i>Timothy</i></p>
<p><i>January 12, 2014</i></p>
<p>It happened again. We've lost another man. Today, Sergeant Green was working in the field when his hand was wounded by an obstruction in our path. Though it involves a different part of the body, this latest incident shares similar circumstances to Sergeant Splitter's injury, and now I fear that we could be in the throes of an epidemic. I dare not voice such a concern to such impressionable men. Not all of them are as affable or as well-disposed as Sergeant Diaw, who continues to display a smile, engorging on sweets as he presses on, seemingly unaware of the growing chaos within our battalion. The losses of Mr. Green and Mr. Splitter are major setbacks to our mission, and though I know it borders on fantasy, I can only express to my men the confidence that our group will maintain in the absence of such vital contributors. With each mishap we encounter on our trek, I find my yearning for you grows. ~ <i>Timothy</i></p>
<p><i>January 23, 2014</i></p>
<p>There is no denying now the blight that has befallen our troop. Another key cog in our successful machine has been downed by a surprise injury. This time, it was the promising Sergeant Leonard, whose hand gave out without warning while in the field. With three of our strongest men now on the sidelines, I can no longer call this coincidence. What we are experiencing has left the unmistakable blemishes of a hex. I know that this carries the impression of sensationalism, but our troop has clearly acquired some kind of scourge. The fabricated stories my men would share at the campfires on our quiet nights have become the tangible horrors of our daily torture. Our confidence has plummeted as it grows clearer by the hour that we simply do not have the manpower to maintain the pace of our early journey. We have become so desperate that Mr. De Colo, a mere stable boy just a week ago, has been put on duty at the front lines. With each letter I send to you, my prize, I feel that I could be writing down my last words. We have become the stories the other garrisons will pass along. All we can do now is wait to see what is left after this ruinous plague has passed. ~ <i>Timothy</i></p>
<p><i>January 29, 2014</i></p>
<p>Another day, another comrade lost. The angel of death has come for our battalion, and he has no intention of leaving before his thirst is satiated. Today, he took one of our greatest men, the inimitable Captain Ginobili. In the heat of battle, Mr. Ginobili rose to strike a thunderous blow, but although the blow was successful, it came at great cost. He is expected to be unable to contribute for at least a month. The mind shudders to consider how we will proceed in the face of such adversity, such crippling loss. If you were to look at what has been left of our squad, you would no doubt be overcome by fits of laughter, that is if the deep sadness of our plight did not weigh upon you first. The families that support us have grown so weary by our present circumstances that they have begun convincing themselves that the way out lies in the services of cheap mercenaries and desperate vagrants. Today, we were bested by a team beneath our station and in the most unceremonious of fashions. It was an embarrassment to call retreat, but that was our only recourse. And perhaps worse than this injury curse has been the madness it has fostered. Today, Lieutenant Parker was unable to perform the most remedial of tasks in our service. As our chances in the battle faded, I found myself thinking, of all things, about cartoons. I fear this blight has taken its toll, but I cannot stop. There is too much left, and we have gone on too long to turn back now. Will I ever see you again? ~ <i>Timothy</i></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/30/5359892/recap"><i>Be sure to read Chris Itz's recap if you haven't already. It probably makes more sense.</i></a></p>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>QUOTE OF THE GAME</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>"I don't know what channel that is. I'll probably be watching Cartoon Network"</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">- <span>Tim Duncan</span>, on whether he'll watch the All-Star Selection special (<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaPS/status/428760807975841792">via @PaulGarciaPS</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4><b>ODDS AND ENDS</b></h4>
<ul>
<li> <span>The Spurs' starting lineup: <span>Tony Parker</span>, <span>Nando De Colo</span>, <span>Othyus Jeffers</span>, <span>Jeff Ayres</span>, and Tim Duncan. Your 2014 <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a>, everybody!</span><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3931811/BfMmx05CUAAk6IT.jpg-large.jpeg" class="photo" alt="Bfmmx05cuaak6it">
</li>
<li><span>Othyus Jeffers, who was rocking the hell out of Kevin Ollie's mustache, had a quiet night on the offensive end, but he did show some nice flashes of gritty defense during the game, most notably when he fought for a loose ball and caused a jump ball. It was a decent performance, but after watching him play, all I can think about is how much his shooting form resembles Derek Fisher's. So yeah, everything about this game made me sick.</span></li>
<li>It was clear early on that Popovich was looking for a spark, as he cycled through ten of the roster's eleven available players <i>in the first quarter</i>. Yech.</li>
<li>Late in the game, one of the stranger moments of the NBA season unfolded as Tony Parker went to the free-throw line for a technical foul shot. I'm not sure if he was distracted or just depressed from playing with this depleted roster, but either way, this was just weird. (ESPN later reported that a referee had said something to him as he was shooting.) The <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a>' reactions were pretty funny, but Parker got to shoot a real one right after the mishap anyway. (H/T <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/428744572240289792" target="_blank">@cjzero</a> for the video.) <iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iU-36yIUi_w" height="480" width="853"></iframe> </li>
<li>You can buy David Robinson's old house. It's stupid expensive, but it's also <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realtor.com%2Fnews%2Fdavid-robinson-mansion-for-sale%2F%3FCID%3Dprt300022%23.UupXIv0XOlK&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.poundingtherock.com%2F2014%2F1%2F30%2F5360470%2Fmorning-rehash-trouble-weighs-a-ton" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">ridiculously awesome</a>. I think if enough of us got together, we could afford a down payment.</li>
<li>The only silver lining to the Spurs' injury woes? Grumpy Pop has returned. Last night he gave a classic two-word sideline interview to Mark Jones. (H/T, again, to <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/428747279567056896" target="_blank">@cjzero</a> for the video.) <iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/usiXrR6OuIo" frameborder="0"></iframe> </li>
</ul>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>GAME MVP</h4>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="71" rowspan="3" valign="top">
<p align="center"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/1151801/duncan_pro.jpg" class="photo" alt="Duncan_pro"><br id="1391089798132"></p>
</td>
<td width="567" colspan="8" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>TIMOTHY THEODORE "TIM" DUNCAN</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>PTS</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>FGM/FGA</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>AST</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>REB</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>PF</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>BLK</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>+/-</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>MIN</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">17</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">7/14</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">12</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">-21</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">35:25</p>
<div><br></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Tim Duncan had a quietly effective night, even with that ghastly (and ironic) +/-. I don't want to diminish his performance, which was sorely needed in Wednesday's ugly game and likely in the ugly games to come as the Spurs regain their roster. Duncan's jumpers continue to fall as his field-goal percentage improves, and against the Bulls, he was facing a great defender in Joakim Noah. But Duncan's box score is not the kind you usually see spotlighted in this section. Typically, this solid performance would rank anywhere from second to fourth after a Spurs game. That it was the best thing we saw against the Bulls is a sign of how gutted this roster is.</p>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>GAME LVP</h4>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="71" rowspan="3" valign="top">
<p align="center"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3931907/4636-2.jpg" class="photo" alt="4636-2"><br id="1391089954613"></p>
</td>
<td width="567" colspan="8" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>JEFFREY CURTIS "JEFF" AYRES</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>PTS</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>FGM/FGA</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>AST</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>REB</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>PF</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>BLK</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>+/-</b></p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center"><b>MIN</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">0/1</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">+2</p>
</td>
<td width="71" valign="top">
<p align="center">15:39</p>
<div><br></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Jeff Ayres does some things really well, and I realize that one of those things is not fill up a box score. That being said, it's hard to see anything he did well against the Bulls, and in this case, the box score is accurate. Ayres served up a hot and ready donut during his sixteen minutes of court time, and it was clear that he did not have anything to offer the team down the stretch. I'm tempted to put Boris Diaw's bad night in this space, but at least he grabbed some boards and took thirty minutes to get his four fouls. Ayres is not a bad player, but the hole left by <span>Tiago Splitter</span> grows larger by the game.</p>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>BY THE NUMBERS</h4>
<ul>
<li><span><b>39.7</b>: The points per game averaged by the Spurs' four injured players. Points aren't everything, but you're not going to get anywhere near that with replacement minutes from Nando De Colo, <span>Cory Joseph</span>, Othyus Jeffers, and <span>Matt Bonner</span>.</span></li>
<li> <span><b>02/26</b>: The date for the soonest game the Spurs will likely field a full roster. All that and more from </span><a href="http://nba.si.com/2014/01/29/spurs-manu-ginobili-to-miss-3-4-weeks-strained-hamstring/" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">this depressing chart</a><span> created by </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/RobMahoney/" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Rob Mahoney</a><span>!</span><b><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3931939/spurs-cal-full.jpg" class="photo" alt="Spurs-cal-full"></b> </li>
<li><span><b>3.5</b>: The distance between the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, first place in the West, and the Spurs, who are currently tied for third.</span></li>
<li><span><b>3</b>: The distance between the third place Spurs and the sixth place <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a>. That space means home court in the playoffs.</span></li>
<li><span><b>5,642</b>: Estimated number of points <span>Rudy Gay</span> will drop on the Spurs on Saturday.</span></li>
</ul>
<h4>BIRD IS THE WORD</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>On the bright side we have: 4 heads, 30 fingers, 8 thumbs, 7 shoulders & 7 hamstrings, all healthy. Lets go Spurs <a href="http://t.co/07w1MSc7G5">pic.twitter.com/07w1MSc7G5</a></p>
— SARR (@SARR_SBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SARR_SBN/statuses/428686433855877121">January 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Only way 2014 could have started worse for the Spurs is if the Coyote had contracted rabies and begun biting children.</p>
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/statuses/428643990989066240">January 29, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>No truth to the rumor that Othyus Jeffers has Benjamin Button disease.</p>
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) <a href="https://twitter.com/poundingtherock/statuses/428720933113585664">January 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><span>Tony Snell</span> about to check in for Chicago. Kawhi Leonard’s injury means we missed the only opportunity this season for a cornrow matchup.</p>
— Andrew A. McNeill (@drew_48moh) <a href="https://twitter.com/drew_48moh/statuses/428726957660844033">January 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The state of the Spurs is so bad right now, even the local commercials are sad. <a href="http://t.co/JtmVh6HcYj">pic.twitter.com/JtmVh6HcYj</a></p>
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) <a href="https://twitter.com/poundingtherock/statuses/428726738265194496">January 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>THE GAME IN SONG</h4>
<p>"Trouble Weighs A Ton" by Dan Auerbach</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NDFA4D1irBc" height="480" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>"<i>What's wrong dear brother? / Have you lost your faith? / Don't you remember a better place?</i>"</p>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>GOING FORWARD, THE SPURS NEED TO...</h4>
<p>Survive – that's all they can do, really. The upcoming slate isn't particularly tough, but everything is a slog when you're missing half your roster. These are the dog days, friends. March can't get here soon enough.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/30/5360470/morning-rehash-trouble-weighs-a-toncalebjsaenz2014-01-30T01:03:45-06:002014-01-30T01:03:45-06:00Recap: Spurs fall to no-quit Bulls, 96-86
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<figcaption>Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>These injuries are really taking a toll on the Spurs, who have lost five of their last seven. Tonight the Bulls played their game, and the Spurs were unable to produce consistent offense.</p> <p>The banged up <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> started the game with <span>Tony Parker</span>, Nando de Colo, <span>Othyus Jeffers</span>, <span>Tim Duncan</span>, and <span>Jeff Ayres</span>. Jeffers has been with the team for five days and de Colo had played 153 total minutes for the Spurs this season coming into the game. Instead of hammering out the intricacies of the rotation, Popovich was forced to mix and match the eleven players he had available for Wednesday night's game.</p>
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<p>The Spurs' offense struggled in the first quarter, and for most of the first half. The good guys were only able to score 15 points in the first quarter. The Spurs did have a 17-3 run from the end of the first to halfway through the second, and the Spurs opened up an eight-point lead with 4:26 to play after Nando hit a three ball. The Spurs would fail to score for the rest of the period, and the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> closed out the half on a 12-0 run. The halftime score was 40-36, and those 36 first-half points are the lowest the team has scored in the first-half all season.</p>
<p>Luckily for the Spurs, they were playing the Bulls, not exactly an offensive powerhouse, and being down four was not too bad, all things considered. The Spurs did have trouble rebounding the ball, especially securing defensive rebounds. The Bulls came up with double-digit offensive rebounds in the first half. The Spurs also missed <span>Tiago Splitter</span>, as the Bulls had success down low with <span>Joakim Noah</span>, <span>Carlos Boozer</span>, and Taj Gibson. Chicago's guards also found pay dirt in the paint against the good guys, and the Bulls finished with 52 points in the paint.</p>
<p>The Bulls may not score the ball too well, but their defense is always solid. The front-office <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/1/7/5284076/cleveland-cavaliers-luol-deng-trade-chicago-bulls">traded away the Bulls' best player in Luol Deng for peanuts</a> after their former-MVP Derrick Rose was lost for the season with a torn right meniscus. The front-office may have wanted the Bulls to tank, but there is no way that <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post/_/id/16394/opening-tip-thibs-doesnt-believe-in-tanking">Thibodeau was going to do tha</a>t. So he's doing what he can with the roster he has.</p>
<p>The third quarter saw both teams score at a higher clip than they had in the first half. Unfortunately for the Spurs, the Bulls scored 28 to the Spurs' 25. San Antonio was able to take a couple of one-possession leads around the midway point of the quarter, but the shots went cold and the good guys only scored seven points in the last four and a half minutes of the period. To make matters worse, the Spurs turned the ball over seven times in the quarter on their way to 19 turnovers for the game.</p>
<p>The start of the fourth quarter saw the Spurs go with Ayres, Bonner, Beli, de Colo, and CoJo. That lasted for one and a half minutes and three possessions before Pop inserted Tim, Tony, Jeffers, and Diaw while leaving Belinelli on the floor. The Spurs trailed by 11, but they cut the lead to single digits a couple of times and almost looked like they were going to turn this game around. But Chicago responded every time the Spurs made even a little push. <span>D.J. Augustin</span> and <span>Kirk Hinrich</span> made some tough shots along the way to a ten-point victory.</p>
<p>If you were looking for an offensive game, this was not that, even with the 106 second-half points scored. It was a battle between two well-coached teams that played this game with very different lineups than they had envisioned when the season started. It wasn't a pretty game. To Chicago's delight, the pace was slow and the Spurs got almost nothing in transition.</p>
<p>The Spurs made too many mistakes, and the Bulls took care of the ball. SA had 19 turnovers to the Bulls' eight. With four serious rotation guys out the Spurs cannot turn the ball over that many times and expect to win. The margin of error for SA is very small right now.</p>
<p>Lots of credit to the Bulls. They came out tonight and played hard, dictated the pace, fought for offensive boards, and smothered the Spurs defensively. They didn't let San Antonio go on a run in the fourth, and knocked down some pretty tough looks. I've got a lot of respect for Thibs and his scrappy under-talented team. I hope they win a playoff series.</p>
<p>The Spurs don't have any more games in the month of January. Whew...Hopefully things are as bad as they will be. Tiago could be back as soon as Saturday, and Danny isn't far behind. The days are dark, but reinforcements should come soon.</p>
<p>Your Spurs fall to 33-13 for the season, which is still good for the two-seed in the West. So there's that.</p>
<h3>Observations:</h3>
<ul>
<li><span>The Bulls take away the three. The Spurs took just 13 attempts from beyond the arc. They average 18.6 attempts per game. </span></li>
<li><span>Tim and Tony scored 17 and 20, respectively, and at times I thought that the longtime duo might have enough to get over the hump versus Chicago. No such luck. </span></li>
<li>The Spurs shot 46.5% from the field to the Bulls' 44.6%. Due to the aforementioned turnovers and the Spurs losing the rebounding battle by nine, the Bulls attempted 83 shots to the Spurs' 71. Again, this banged-up the Spurs team has to <b>take care of the ball. </b> </li>
<li><span>Our most experienced veteran finished the game with 17 points and 12 rebounds. That's a good line, but tonight the Spurs needed just a little more. Tim's four turnovers didn't help the cause. </span></li>
<li><span>Mr. Parker finished with a game-high 20 points, and had six assists. He wasn't particularly efficient, going 8-of-17 from the field, and I would have liked to see him take on a bigger role. If he's the team's best player he needs to be more aggressive on a night like Wednesday. He wasn't bad, only one turnover, but I just kept waiting for him to take over the game. He had moments when I thought he was about to go into "forget you" mode, but the Bulls did a nice job of making his life difficult. Every time that Tony did something that made you remember he's still one of the best in the league, the Bulls didn't let him find a rhythm. He didn't take a consecutive attempt after a make in the last 31 minutes of the contest. </span></li>
<li><span>Othyus Jeffers started the game but only played 15 minutes in this one. He failed to score on his lone shot attempt, and grabbed two rebounds. He did not contribute to the box-score in any other way. He did make a great hustle play in the first quarter, where he dove on the floor as he fought for a loose ball. I liked that effort but was unimpressed otherwise, though to be honest, I wasn't really watching him all that closely. </span></li>
<li><span>Jeff Ayres was also quiet in his 16 minutes. He finished without scoring, grabbed a single rebound, made two assists, committed four fouls, and turned the ball over twice.</span></li>
<li><span>Tonight there were eight people who answered the game-thread poll correctly. <span>Matt Bonner</span> was not even able to attempt a three versus the excellent three-point defense of the Bulls. </span></li>
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<p><img alt="Poll_vs_bulls" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3931401/poll_vs_bulls.PNG"><br id="1391063771378"><font size="2"><span><br></span></font></p>
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Next up:
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<span>The Spurs host Boogie Cousins, <span>Rudy Gay</span>, and the rest of the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a> on Saturday in their last home game for 25 days before they embark on their annual Rodeo Road Trip. Who knows, maybe they'll even have the services of Tiago Splitter. Danny Green will return soon, and the good guys will be back to their winning ways before we know it. For the Spurs at least, January is over. Taking a step back, the boys are really in a pretty good position. Sure, it's been hard lately, but the future holds the most exciting part of the regular season, and the Spurs' current injury woes will be in the rear-view soon enough. </span><span>
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<div>On a completely unrelated note, I heard that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25942003">a man stabbed and killed another man </a>because the first man was upset that the second man said, "only prose is real literature." Russia is a wild place.</div>
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<div>Some haikus</div>
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<div>The injured Spurs fight</div>
<div>It's quite tough to win when hurt</div>
<div>Splitter, come back soon</div>
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<div>Tim and Tony tried</div>
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<div>The good guys just needed more</div>
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<div>Thibs is a fine coach</div>
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<div><i>I had lunch with my old man, who's <a href="http://herenow.7beats.com/" target="_blank">a fine poet</a>, today. We had Chinese. </i></div>
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<div>Four of Six games lost</div>
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<div>Father asks, what's the problem?</div>
</span><span>"Please pass the soy sauce"<br></span><span>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/30/5359892/recapChris Itz2014-01-29T23:34:08-06:002014-01-29T23:34:08-06:00Final Score: Spurs Lose To Bulls, 96-86
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<figcaption>Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The depleted Spurs never found enough gas in the tank to make a definitive run for the lead, and lose to the Chicago Bulls, 96-86.</p> <p></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 1.29.2014 </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.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> </span></td>
<td>21</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>28</td>
<td class="highlight">96</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>15</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>25</td>
<td class="highlight">86</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p>After losing their fourth player to injury last night in Houston, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> came into tonight's game depleted <i>and </i>in need of a win. The early going was rough for both teams, as the score at the end of the first quarter was 21-15, <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a>. Chicago was a little quicker out of the gate, holding a 9-point lead late in the quarter.</p>
<p>However, Patty Mills hit a big 3 with 2 seconds left in the first, igniting a 17-3 run that went halfway into the second quarter. They traded baskets for a couple minutes, then the Bulls went on a 12-0 run of their own to close out the second quarter with a 40-36 lead. Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the first half. The Spurs went 14-35 from the field, and the Bulls went 18-45.</p>
<p>The third quarter featured higher scoring from both teams, as both teams scored their highest point totals of the night in the quarter. Even with the higher scoring, Chicago's lead grew to 68-61 at the end of quarter due to seven San Antonio turnovers and a stall in scoring.</p>
<p>Through the fourth quarter, the Spurs kept it within a reasonable distance to make a late run, but it never came. Chicago's tough defense kept a stranglehold on the lead, and didn't allow the Spurs depleted offense another shot at the game. The Bulls ended up winning, 96-86.</p>
<p>The high-point man for San Antonio tonight was Tony Parker with 20 points on 8-17 shooting, also racking up 6 assists. Tim Duncan had 17 points on 7-14 shooting with 12 boards. Patty Mills and Marco Belinelli also finished in double-figures.</p>
<p>The most telling stat for the game was turnovers. The Spurs had 19 total due to the suffocating Bulls defense, which the Bulls turned into easy points.</p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/29/5360250/final-score-spurs-are-kept-at-bay-by-a-tough-chicago-defense-lose-96Ian Dougherty2014-01-29T02:02:48-06:002014-01-29T02:02:48-06:00Game Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs
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<figcaption>Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Spurs look to not lose three in a row. Playing at home against a Chicago team that is less than what they should be will hopefully be good for the Spurs. </p> <div id="preview-wrapper">
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<h4><b>Chicago Bulls vs San Antonio Spurs </b></h4>
AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX<br>January 28, 2014, 8:30 PM Spurs Time<br> TV: KENS/ESPN- RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI</div>
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<p dir="ltr">Nothing may be as dreadful to a depleted team dealing with injuries than a back-to-back. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs </a>are without question a depleted team with three starters out with injuries, but after facing offensive threats like Miami on Sunday and Houston last night, a home-game against an offensively challenged Chicago squad may be just what the doctor ordered.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City is starting to pull away a bit in the West and the Spurs may not have the healthy horses in the stable to race towards the top spot. San Antonio can, however, keep pace and make sure the first round of the playoffs takes place at home and games against teams like Chicago, even with the injuries, are the types of games that the Spurs must continue to win.</p>
<p>The knock on San Antonio this season has been its performances against top teams in the league. The Spurs have just one win against a team that would be considered one of the six or seven top teams in the league. Despite that, the Spurs have done an excellent job of beating the teams it should and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> register as one of those teams, even with <span>Tiago Splitter</span>, <span>Danny Green</span> and <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> unable to suit up for the good guys.</p>
<p>The Bulls are 22-22 and the definition of average in a lot of ways. In fairness, the recent injury history of <span>Derrick Rose</span> has derailed all real title hopes in Chicago. This team was built to have an explosive, scoring point guard and the Bulls just don't have the fire-power on the rest of the roster to make up for his absence. Chicago is 29<sup>th</sup> in the league in points per game, scoring 92.8 points per game. Chicago is coming off of a 95-86 loss to Minnesota, a team not known for its defense. When Chicago traded <span>Luol Deng</span> for little in return, the towel had unofficially been thrown in on this season.</p>
<p>All you need to know about the Bulls' offense is that <span>Carlos Boozer</span> is currently the number one option on that side of the floor. He has performed better this season and even had a 20/20 performance in the loss to Minnesota, but he isn't a guy that can carry an offense in today's NBA. Boozer is Chicago's leading active scorer with 15.1 points per game. Next on that list? <span>D.J. Augustin</span> with 13.6. Starting to see where the issues for the Bulls lie?</p>
<p>One thing that can be said positively about the Chicago offense is that it is balanced. <span>Taj Gibson</span>, <span>Jimmy Butler</span>, <span>Mike Dunleavy</span> and <span>Joakim Noah</span>, who missed Chicago's last game with an illness, all average in double-figures. The problem is that none of them are truly capable of exploding for 30 points in a game. The Bulls are a team full of grinders and role players, a perfect team for the Spurs to face right now. The Bulls shoot 42 percent from the floor and average just six three-pointers per game.</p>
<p>As always, the Bulls are still a very good defensive team. Chicago gives up just 92.9 points a game, which is second best in the league. They're also sixth in the league in total rebounding. Boozer, and Noah when he is in the lineup, still make it tough for opponents to get in the lane. More so than the individual defenders, the team defense of Chicago still remains one of the best in the league. The rotations are usually on point and the defensive rebounding prevents opponents from getting easy second chances.</p>
<p>The Bulls are not at all a bad team, but it is a team that the Spurs should beat even without a lot of the supporting cast. Chicago won't put as much pressure on the depleted and struggling San Antonio defense, so this may be a matchup that is as advantageous as possible for the Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back.</p>
<p>Matchup to watch: This game will come down to the ability of San Antonio to produce offense. If the Spurs can get to 100 points the Bulls have very little chance to keep up. If Chicago can turn this into an alley fight with no flow, it has a chance.</p>
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<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 12px;"><center><img style="width: 120px; height: 76px;" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/CHI.gif"></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>Cory Joseph</span><br><b> SF:</b> <span>Marco Belinelli</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>Boris Diaw</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>D.J. Augustin<br><b>SG:</b> Jimmy Butler<br><b>SF:</b> Mike Dunleavy<br><b>PF:</b> Carlos Boozer<br><b>C:</b> Joakim Noah<br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br>Taj Gibson<br><span>Tony Snell</span></p>
<b>Head Coach</b><br><p><span>Tom Thibodeau</span></p>
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<p>Bulls perspective can be found here: <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/">B</a><a href="http://www.blogabull.com/">log</a><a href="http://www.blogabull.com/"> a Bull</a></p>
<p>Game Prediction: Spurs by 6</p>
<p>Line in Vegas: Spurs by 7 1/2</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 | dfarias@attcenter.com</p>
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https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/1/29/5355112/game-preview-chicago-bulls-vs-san-antonio-spursMike Craven