Pounding The Rock - Full Coverage: San Antonio Spurs @ Chicago BullsFor all your Manu Ginobili loving and San Antonio Spurs newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/12497/ptr-fv.jpg2014-03-12T13:51:17-05:00http://www.poundingtherock.com/rss/stream/52608352014-03-12T13:51:17-05:002014-03-12T13:51:17-05:00GIF Breakdown: Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls
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<figcaption>Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Spurs started out the game on fire and built a lead against the Bulls that grew to 32 points and was enough to ensure that no started played 30 minutes. It was Tony early, Manu in the middle and lots of bench in the second half. There are a lot of fun plays to enjoy in this edition of GIF Breakdown.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/11/5498886/recap-spurs-ride-great-first-half-in-chicago-to-seventh-straight-win">You probably already know about</a> how hot <span>Tony Parker</span> was early, and we've seen him use spin moves before, but the way he sets this one up by pretending to begin a pick and roll with <span>Tim Duncan</span>, and waiting until <span>Kirk Hinrich</span> jumps out to the three point line before beginning his drive ... it's a thing of beauty. Also, the spin is fun to watch as always, and this one is in between two pretty good defensive players. Didn't matter Tuesday night.</p>
<p><img alt="Tony_spins_2" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/4126139/Tony_spins_2.gif"></p>
<p>This is exactly what J. Gomez and I have been hoping for ever since Kawhi Leonard's sophomore year: the 1/3 pick and roll between Parker and <i><a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#kawhileonard" target="_blank">The Sleeve</a>.</i> There are just so many possibilities with this and I'm overjoyed to see it in use against a stout defense like Chicago's. Kawhi comes over to set a screen on Hinrich to free Parker and brings Jimmy Butler with him. As soon as Hinrich sees that he's about to have to guard Kawhi, he knows he's in trouble and immediately tries to draw a foul by selling the contact with Kawhi. (This is one of those plays where the GIF doesn't do the action justice. I re-watched this play at least 10 times to be sure that Leonard doesn't hip-check Kirk here. He didn't.) The rest is just Kawhi showing off his elite, and ever-expanding, mid-range game with a gorgeous swish of this 12-footer.</p>
<p><img alt="Kawhi_and_tony_p_r" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/4126179/Kawhi_and_Tony_P_R.gif"></p>
<p>Here we have Leonard taking Butler one-on-one. And while it's too far removed from the paint to really call it a post-up, these are all Kawhi's post moves. He turns, faces while keeping the ball high, takes a single dribble toward the baseline and elevates as Butler stays in his face the whole time. Again, didn't matter. (Bonus GIF content: check out Chicago's bench while the play goes on. It looks like they're all trying to control Butler with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body%20english">body english</a>.)</p>
<p><img alt="Kawhi_iso_better_quality" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/4127629/Kawhi_ISO_better_quality.gif"></p>
<p>Behold: an excellent example of Tony's floor management. He's constantly probing the defense for weakness and using every possible advantage available to him. When he goes baseline and realizes that there's nothing there, he swings the ball to Duncan to re-set. Then, working his way around Duncan, he sees an opening on the other side of the court, sprints to it, spins around as soon as he gets there to shoot a fall-away jumper that no Bull can adequately contest. As much as Tony's athletic brilliance is fun to watch, I'm really liking the plays that he wins with his vision and <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#BBIQ" target="_blank">BBIQ</a>.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4126219/Tony_floor_management.gif" class="photo" alt="Tony_floor_management"></p>
<p>The Spurs are really improving in transition, and this play shows them at their absolute best. The ball comes quickly to Manu Ginobili while Chicago is still getting back and Patty Mills is streaking down the center of the floor. Manu finds him with a perfectly slotted pass that's just outside the reach of D.J. Augustin. As the Bulls react to Mills drive into the paint, Patty spots a wide-open Marco Belinelli and gets him the ball for yet another spicy corner three.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/4127453/Mills_Manu_Marco_better_quality.gif" class="photo" alt="Mills_manu_marco_better_quality"></p>
<p>Same players. Different order. Different configuration. Same result. Manu begins his drive but pulls up as he slides a one-handed bounce pass to a cutting Belinelli who draws the defense and thinks about trying a layup before deciding against it and hitting Mills in the corner for another three-ball.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4127605/Mills_corner_three_better_quality.gif" class="photo" alt="Mills_corner_three_better_quality"></p>
<p>Manu leads the break this time, and his presence in transition seems to draw the eyes of every Bulls defender, which allows him to get one of his patented bounce passes to Aron Baynes as he runs full speed into the paint for a dunk. But just a minute, former Spurs Nazr Mohammed challenges and Baynes is forced to turn his back to the lane and finish with a back-handed righty layup. This score made it a 30 point lead. And your GIFfer called it a night.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4126291/Baynes_on_the_break_better_quality.gif" class="photo" alt="Baynes_on_the_break_better_quality"></p>
<p>BONUS GIF: This is just the kind of night it was for the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a>.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/4127565/Gibson_missed_dunk_better_quality.gif" class="photo" alt="Gibson_missed_dunk_better_quality">Thi</p>
<p>Extra credit for anyone who noticed that all of these GIFS are from the first half. With a 28 point lead after two quarters, there wasn't much meaningful basketball left in the evening. But if you DVR'd this game, do yourself a favor and watch the 3rd quarter for a couple of completely GIF-able plays that would've made the cut if they'd come when the game was even remotely in doubt.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/12/5500992/gif-breakdown-spurs-vs-chicago-bullsJ.R. Wilco2014-03-12T11:24:38-05:002014-03-12T11:24:38-05:00Opponent Game Thread: Spurs at Bulls
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<figcaption>Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As the Spurs get ready to take on the Portland Trailblazers, let's take the time to reflect on how the Bulls feel.</p> <p>It's time to play "fly on the wall" again. As our <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> took to the road once more, they proved to be too much for the Bulls at home. As most <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#oppenent" target="new"><em>oppenent</em></a> game threads go, they started as optimistic as the rest. However, it went south very quickly for them, as the Spurs left little doubt of who was the superior team. I will admit, the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> fans were very respectful of our Spurs. On the other hand, if you want to see the full dose of venom they had for <span>Carlos Boozer</span>, you're going to have to make the jump, over to their actual <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/2014/3/11/5498316/bulls-vs-spurs-2013-14-open-game-thread-64">Game Thread</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">* * *</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>There will be many angry faces between Pop and Thibs</b><br>Pop looked like he wanted to kill someone there on the bench.<br>by windycitywarrior</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Call TO, Thibs</b><br>by Pippen's blocks on <span>Charles Smith</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Parker and Leonard and Hinrich are killing them.</b><br>by Dr.Q</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>F’ing Parker in god mode</b><br>by maynardo</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Duncan is really good at screening.</b><br>He moves just at the right time to knock the defender off without attracting the ref’s notice. I think KG is always doing it illegally, but Duncan is just subtle.<br>by Dr.Q</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>San Antonio is destroying us in every aspect of the game</b><br>Except blocks – we’re holding our own there at 1 each!<br>by wjb1492</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b><span>Tony Parker</span> is beating us by himself</b><br>by ES46NE10</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Even their farts.... nothing but net</b><br>by maynardo</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>When is the last time we were outscored 271% in a quarter?</b><br>I mean, yeah, we can suck on offense, but more than doubled up?<br>by wjb1492</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Damn it Marco stop being so spicy</b><br>by TianDogg</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The build up to that Marco 3 was silly good</b><br>by Droseman1</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>System my (butt). These guys are shooting 70% from the field</b><br>by Dils</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>They can't shoot this good in warmups</b><br>by Dils</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>I got it</b><br>San Antonio is just using us to send another message to the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a>. It wasn’t enough to beat them head to head, the Spurs are now going to destroy us because we just beat the Heat. We’re simply a pawn in another Pop headgame.<br>by wjb1492</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>F’ this! they can't miss. Marco raining spaghetti sauce all over us.</b><br>by Bulls2daDeath</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Almost to the point where the Spurs don't have to score again</b><br>by ES46NE10</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>i feel bad for people who paid for the good seats</b><br>by fsun</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> Lol Pop calling TO b/c we scored once</b><br>by Pippen's blocks on Charles Smith</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ok Pop, now you are trying to outsmart everyone</b><br>by Trey23</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Troll Pop</b><br>by maynardo</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Their shooting has cooled down to just 61%</b><br>Pop must be fuming<br>by TianDogg</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Diaw is an NBA player, which makes him a bad match up for Boozer.</b><br>by TianDogg</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>I love when other team players help out an opponent up</b><br>This is the ultimate sign of respect.<br>by simonswiss</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>for the Spurs' sake, i kind of hope they win</b><br>cause if they lose after being up 30 for 3 1/2 quarters, i hate to imagine what Pop will do to them. i wouldn’t wish that on anyone.<br>by BigSmooveDucky</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> It's a minor miracle we cut it down to 10.</b><br>by TianDogg</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/12/5499440/opponent-game-thread-spurs-at-bullsTrooperJoe732014-03-12T08:08:50-05:002014-03-12T08:08:50-05:00Rehash: Spurs blitz Bulls, run streak to seven
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>I swear the following isn't a jinx. I don't believe in jinxes. I don't believe in jinxes. I don't believe in jinxes. </p> <p><b>Game 63: @Chicago: <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> 104, <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> 96 Rec: 47-16 1st in Southwest, 1st in West Streak: W-7</b></p>
<p>Let's be crystal clear: <span>Tony Parker</span> was the player of the game. He was magnificent and he toyed with the Bulls in his father's hometown, showing off his full arsenal of feints, pump-fakes, up-and-unders, spins and balletic lay-ups, not to mention a pretty accurate jumper, to score 16 of his 20 points in the opening quarter as the Spurs ran roughshod over the surging Bulls to the tune of 38-14 and coasted from there to win their seventh straight. Parker also had a game-high nine assists and zero turnovers in a tidy 24:34 of work, ensuring that he'll have plenty in the tank for the <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#SEGABABA" target="_blank">SEGABABA</a> against the dreaded Blazers.</p>
<p>But to me, the story of the game was <span>Manu Ginobili</span>.</p>
<p>To be more specific, it's the difference between this Manu, the one who should be the odds-on favorite to earn his second Sixth Man of the Year award -- the case illustrated wonderfully by J. Gomez <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/10/5489132/why-manu-ginobili-should-win-sixth-man-of-the-year">here</a> -- and the one we saw limp his way through a career-worst season in 2013, culminating in a mostly-awful Finals.</p>
<p>Most of the stats between last year and this one are actually pretty similar. Ginobili is averaging just a tenth of a minute more per game, scoring .6 more points, pulling down .3 fewer rebounds and dishing .1 fewer assists. His percentage is a lot better from two and from the line, but otherwise there isn't much difference.</p>
<p>Look deeper at the numbers though and Ginobili's efficiency and difference-making emerges. He leads the Spurs in <a href="http://stats.nba.com/teamPlayers.html?TeamID=1610612759&MeasureType=Advanced&PerMode=PerGame&Season=2013-14">offensive (114.6) and net rating (14.0),</a> and it's not particularly close in either case. Last season, he <a href="http://stats.nba.com/teamPlayers.html?TeamID=1610612759&MeasureType=Advanced&PerMode=PerGame&Season=2012-13">was sixth on the club in net rating with 7.8, well behind Parker's team-leading 10.7 and an unbelievable eighth offensively</a>.</p>
<p>To state it more clearly, <a href="http://stats.nba.com/leaguePlayerGeneral.html?ls=iref%3Anba%3Agnav&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25&columnOrder=&MeasureType=Advanced&PerMode=PerGame&sortField=NET_RATING&sortOrder=DES">Ginobili's 14.0 net rating leads the entire league</a>, among players who've played a significant amount of minutes. <a href="http://stats.nba.com/leaguePlayerGeneral.html?ls=iref%3Anba%3Agnav&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25&columnOrder=&MeasureType=Advanced&PerMode=PerGame&sortField=OFF_RATING&sortOrder=DES">His offensive rating leads everybody who averages at least 20 minutes a night.</a></p>
<p>His +/- per game of 6.7 leads the Spurs by a bunch and is <a href="http://stats.nba.com/leaguePlayerGeneral.html?ls=iref%3Anba%3Agnav&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25&columnOrder=&MeasureType=Base&PerMode=PerGame&sortField=PLUS_MINUS&sortOrder=DES">eighth in the league</a>. Last year it was 3.9 and ranked sixth on the team, behind the entire starting lineup. <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2014_leaders.html">His Win Shares Per 48 minutes of .179 is 18th in the NBA.</a> Last year it was at .155 and was, again, only good for fifth on his own team. Already, <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/ginobma01.html">Ginobili has contributed 2.8 offensive win shares for the Spurs in 52 games. Last year he had 2.1 in 60 games</a>.</p>
<p>All those numbers are well and good, but they don't explain the biggest difference between THAT Ginobili and THIS Ginobili. If you recall, last year's edition had three debilitating hamstring injuries.</p>
<p>The first, suffered on Jan. 13 against Minnesota, came when Manu was on his best form of the season, in rhythm and attacking the basket aggressively. When the injury happened it looked scary, but he only missed four games. No big deal, right? Wrong.</p>
<p>It turns out the Spurs, uncharacteristically, didn't err on the side of caution with the injury and Ginobili rushed back too soon. He tweaked the hammy again on Jan. 30 against Charlotte (happy birthday to me) and missed five more games, and this time when the Spurs brought him back, they really eased him into action by playing him very few minutes.</p>
<p>He lasted 18 games, but hurt himself for the third time on Mar. 29 against the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> and this might have been the most serious of the three, as Pop took no chances. He sat Ginobili for the next nine games and and gave him a cameo in the season-finale against the T-Pups and then it was off to the playoffs.</p>
<p>It's tempting to look at those injuries and draw similar conclusions to Ginobili's 2013-14 campaign thus far. After all, he tweaked his hammy the first time, on the final play of overtime at Memphis on Jan. 7, right in that same time frame as the original injury last year. He missed two games and was back out there. Eight games later, on Jan. 28 at Houston, he strained it again on a dunk. Again the same window of time as last year's second injury.</p>
<p>Obviously we're all having the same panicked thought right now: He's gonna hurt it again in late March/early April, just like last year.</p>
<p>Look, I don't know. Maybe he will.</p>
<p>What I do know is that last year's Manu was never himself as a scorer once he suffered the initial injury against the Wolves. He had seven games where he scored at least 20 points (season-high 23 at Houston in an overtime game on 12/28) but only one of them came after that first tweak, and it was exactly 20 points, on Jan. 26 at Phoenix. After the second injury he never scored 20 again until the playoffs, reaching 18 a couple times (at <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> Feb. 22 on 8-of-17 shooting and vs. Chicago on Mar. 6 on 7-of-14 shooting).</p>
<p>Worse still were his percentages. He averaged 11.2 points last February, with a slash-line of .426/.294/.688, which is simply dreadful. The numbers got even worse in April, with a 10.4 average and a cover-your-eyes-bad slash-line of .379/.319/.765. The playoffs weren't much better: 11.2 points and a .399/.302/.738 clip. And remember, there wasn't a single back-to-back in that bunch and plenty of time off between a pair of series sweeps.</p>
<p>Contrast that battered and bruised Ginobili to this one, the one who's already scored over 20 points in eight of 52 games compared to seven of 60 last year. The one who's already topped last season's high of 23 points four times.</p>
<p>Last year's Ginobili need forever to get back into rhythm after missing games. This year's version got his season-high of 29, vs. Portland, his third game back after his first hammy tweak. This year's version is averaging 13.1 points with a .544/.378/.875 since his second setback. Hopefully it's his last setback.</p>
<p>Even if it isn't though, I don't think it necessarily means Ginobili is doomed. Healthy or not, he's just different this year -- stronger -- and I think getting to play with <span>Marco Belinelli</span>, as well as a rejuvenated <span>Boris Diaw</span> and <span>Patty Mills</span>, is also buying him some room on the floor. It's like the Spurs signed a brand new bench in the off-season, and it's been a godsend.</p>
<p>(The starters outscored the Bulls 19-8 in 7:01, by the way, which works out to 130-55 in a full game. Sshhhhhh.)</p>
<p><i>Be sure to </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/11/5498886/recap-spurs-ride-great-first-half-in-chicago-to-seventh-straight-win">read J. Gomez's recap</a><i> if you haven't already.</i></p>
<h4>Standard Pop Quote:</h4>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"The defense was excellent. We got our hands on a lot of balls, a lot of deflections. We didn't give up any offensive rebounds, and it fueled us offensively. We were able to get some open shots and we knocked them down. But the defense and the boards really fueled us and got us off to a good start."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<h4>By the Numbers:</h4>
<p><b>21,634: </b>The paid attendance at the United Center</p>
<p><b>21,633:</b> Number of folks who were left thinking, "Man, I wish the Bulls were playing somebody easier, like Miami."</p>
<p><b>1:</b> Number of Scottie Pippens in attendance, and he doesn't care who they're playing because come on, he's Scottie freakin' Pippen.</p>
<p><b>7: </b>The Spurs hit their seventh three-pointer of the game with 9:19 to go in the 2nd quarter. At the time the Bulls had seven made field goals, total.</p>
<p><b>48.2: </b>The Spurs shooting percentage from two (28-of-58).</p>
<p><b>57.1: </b>The Spurs shooting percentage from three (12-of-21).</p>
<p><b>38: </b>The Spurs scored a season-high 38 points in the first quarter. It took the Bulls 26:47 to score 38 points.</p>
<p><b>81.8:</b> Ginobili's field goal percentage for the game (9-of-11 shooting). It's the <a href="http://stats.nba.com/playerGameLogs.html?PlayerID=1938&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25&Season=ALL&sortField=FG_PCT&sortOrder=DES">third-best </a>mark of his career in games in which he's attempted at least 10 shots. He had a pair of 9-of-10s against Atlanta in 2003 and Utah in 2011.</p>
<p><b>40: </b>Points for the Spurs' starters against Chicago, including a couple of bagels for <span>Danny Green</span> and <span>Tiago Splitter</span>.</p>
<p><b>64: </b>Points for the Spurs bench.</p>
<p><b>-20: </b>For Cory Joseph, in 8:24. Ow.</p>
<h4>Sequence of the game:</h4>
<p>Probably the end of the first quarter where Ginobili just made <span>Taj Gibson</span> look like a clown. He pump-faked him into the air at the three-point line on the wing but instead of driving right away, he hesitated a bit, made another move past the befuddled Gibson, drained the clock all the way down and scored on the reverse layup with just a second to go in the quarter. Good statement game from Gibson, the 6MOY year candidate, by the way. 1 point, 5 boards, 2 turnovers and 0-of-5 in 23 minutes. Solid.</p>
<h4>Tweets of the Night:</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Spurs take 21-6 lead, and Popovich is the one taking the game's first timeout. Would someone check if Thibs is still alive?</p>
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/statuses/443542291072839680">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Perhaps this is part of Thibs' long con. If the Bulls win too many games then their owner will trade Noah in the off-season. Gotta stay under the radar.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Spurs with 21-6 start;crowd in awe of 4 amazing box outs, 3 incredible defensive switches, 2 diagonal cuts and a partridge in a pear tree</p>
— Sam Smith (@SamSmithHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/SamSmithHoops/statuses/443542887910080513">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Is Smith praising the Spurs? Mocking them? Insulting the Bulls? Showing his boredom? All of the above.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Tony’s hacked the system and is playing on Easy mode.</p>
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) <a href="https://twitter.com/poundingtherock/statuses/443544589790507008">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He should save that cheat code for the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> series.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>There’s a guy shouting "WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT. WHAT" can someone please answer him</p>
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) <a href="https://twitter.com/poundingtherock/statuses/443546442724937728">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoWEESRrNK8">YE-AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!</a> (ummm, that link contains NSFW language)</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Spurs are up 30 and we have played 16 minutes of basketball.</p>
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) <a href="https://twitter.com/poundingtherock/statuses/443547659484160000">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Well, the Spurs have played 16 minutes of basketball. Not sure what the Bulls were doing.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>A reminder: Heading into night, Bulls had more wins since Jan. 1 than any team in the NBA.</p>
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/statuses/443548144769327104">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
I'm guessing that one's not gonna hold up all regular season.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"The Bulls make you take it from them." /Spurs execution kicks them in the nuts, takes their lunch money</p>
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/HPbasketball/statuses/443548356841701376">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
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You could say the Spurs get so little media attention that the whole team is <i>Incognito</i>. (Hey-O)</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Wow. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMinnix">@JasonMinnix</a> Last time I watched a blowout like this in Chicago, DeMarcus Ware was still a Dallas Cowboy.</p>
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/statuses/443548423833141248">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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I enjoyed that game because I suspect only terrible people root for the Cowboys.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Pop calls timeout to nip 2-0 Bulls run in the bud.</p>
— Dan McCarney (@danmccarneysaen) <a href="https://twitter.com/danmccarneysaen/statuses/443548822203924480">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Any coach can call them after a 10-0 run, it's the Hall-of-Fame coaches who do it at 2-0.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Starting to worry that the Spurs are looking this good and it’s "only" March. Two whole months left for something terrible to happen.</p>
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) <a href="https://twitter.com/poundingtherock/statuses/443550075046739968">March 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Pop's so bored he's hacked into PtR's twitter feed.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>:-/ RT <a href="https://twitter.com/SARR_SBN">@SARR_SBN</a>: Hey Bulls, how's it going against the Spurs? <a href="https://t.co/xA1YKtXzGQ">https://t.co/xA1YKtXzGQ</a></p>
— Pounding the Rock (@poundingtherock) <a href="https://twitter.com/poundingtherock/statuses/443550818835234816">March 12, 2014</a>
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Mayhaps we're giving the boys too much credit.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Spurs bench now with 46 points (18-22 FG)</p>
— Aaron PS (@DukeOfBexar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DukeOfBexar/statuses/443562432904978433">March 12, 2014</a>
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<p>
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A starting lineup of Mills-Ginobili-Belinelli-Diaw-Baynes would get the fourth seed in the East.</p>
<h4>Random Observations:</h4>
<p>Is it just me or does it seem like half the time when Ginobili checks into a game he's just NOT mentally ready to participate for a minute or two? Tonight at Chicago was a classic example. He struggled to catch a simple outlet pass from Leonard after the rebound. He had all kinds of trouble dribbling the ball --against no pressure, mind you-- up the court. Once he got the ball in the half court, he tried what would've been an ambitious, at best, over-the-head, behind-the-back pass, only he never had control of the ball and it was easily stolen. Basically for 15 seconds there Ginobili looked like somebody who'd never played basketball before, like one of those "Space Jam" aliens sucked out all of his ability. And I swear this happens to him like every other game, where he immediately gets that first turnover out of his system on that first touch before he settles in and finishes with just four or five more the rest of the night.</p>
<p>Yes, I can make jokes like that because I love Manu Ginobili.</p>
<p>Also, I couldn't believe the Bulls never got T'd up in the third quarter. Between Noah and Boozer there was a lot of chirping at the refs for a solid 12 minutes out there. Maybe the refs decided, "I'm not gonna make it easy on you and toss you. I'd rather you just endure this like I have to."</p>
<h4>Your Three Stars:</h4>
<p><b>3) <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> (53 pts): </b>For the first time all season, YTS has the exact same three guys on the exact same three spots of the podium.</p>
<p><b>2) Manu Ginobili (71 pts): </b>What does this mean?</p>
<p><b>1) Tony Parker (100 pts): </b>I have no idea.</p>
<h4>Up Next:</h4>
<p><b>Vs. <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> (42-22), Wednesday, Mar. 12: </b></p>
<p><b></b>As recently as January 18, Portland was the feel-good story of the league. They had just destroyed the Mavs on the road by 16 points to finish off a Texas road <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#BABA">BABA</a>, having won <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400489462">at San Antonio the night before </a>(<span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> was one of three Blazers to score at least 21 against the Spurs and Manu had a season-high 29 in defeat) and their 31-9 record was the best in the West. Unfortunately for them, it's been their high-water mark for the season. Since then they lost 9 of 14, won five in a row against no one remotely good, and have lost four of their past five, including the last three in a row. Like the Spurs, they're gonna be on a <a target="_blank" href="http://SEGABABA">SEGABABA</a> on Wednesday, but it's gonna be another road-road one for them, as they dropped one at Memphis 109-99, allowing the Grizzles to shoot an obscene 56 percent from the field and 50 percent from downtown to offset Damian Lillard's 32 on the other end. Aldridge, meanwhile, scored 19 on 23 shots and <span>Wesley Matthews</span> made 1-of-7 field goals. As you're probably aware, the Spurs recent history against Portland isn't very good, but they did prevail in their last meeting, <a href="http://%20http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400489682">Feb. 19, on the road,</a> even though they were without Duncan, Parker and Leonard (Aldridge was out for them). Patty Mills led the Spurs with 29 and four others scored at least 15. The Spurs haven't beaten Portland at home since 2012 and they <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278643">lost by 30</a> to them last year during "Military Appreciation Day," which was the worst military-related disaster in San Antonio since, well, you know. (This year they got wise and scheduled the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobcats</a> for that.) It seems unlikely that Green will play and Duncan is dragging a bit to be sure, but if there's ever a good time for the Spurs to catch the Blazers, it's now. Just one more solid win and the boys can go on a bit of a vacation against the dregs of the West.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/12/5499674/rehash-spurs-stampede-past-bulls-behind-parker-ginobiliMichael Erler2014-03-11T22:29:49-05:002014-03-11T22:29:49-05:00Spurs ride great first half, beat Bulls 104-96
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<figcaption>Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Spurs carved up a huge lead early and managed it en route to a comfortable win on the road against the pesky Bulls</p> <p>The good guys suffered more than they should have late in the game but besides that, the visit to Chicago went as well as it could have for the streaking Spurs.</p>
<h3>The Game</h3>
<p><span>Tony Parker</span> came out of the gates hot, using his ball-handling to patiently probe the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a>' defense for weaknesses, then relentlessly exploiting them en route to 16 first quarter points. Chicago's offensive plan was to get Boozer involved early on offense but <span>Tiago Splitter</span> did a great job of containing him and the Bulls were left reeling, unable to put points on the board. Leonard was outplaying Butler and Duncan was containing Noah. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>' D was sharp, chasing cutters and shutting down the passing angles the Bulls were working for.</p>
<p>The Spurs, meanwhile, were absolutely rolling on offense. Parker was phenomenal but he wasn't the only one excelling. <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> scored ten first quarter points, including a couple of back-to-back buckets after 1-3 pick-and-rolls, a variation the Spurs have not used much this season. Then <span>Manu Ginobili</span> checked in and continue the onslaught with two three pointers and a pretty lefty layup to finish the quarter. As the Bulls' players looked like deer caught in headlights, the Spurs took advantage and secured a 24-point lead after just one period, 38-14.</p>
<p>When the benches checked in, the difference in offensive talent was even more evident. <span>Patty Mills</span> and <span>Marco Belinelli</span> quickly hit threes to stretch the lead. Everything seemed to be falling for the scorching hot Spurs while the Bulls were missing breakaway dunks.</p>
<p align="center"><iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/MbatHaA6iQL/embed/simple" frameborder="0" height="480" width="480"></iframe>
<script src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p align="center"><i>(Courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SARR_SBN/status/443550765999984643">SARR</a>)</i></p>
<p>That play perfectly illustrates just how badly things were going for Chicago on offense. And while the Spurs came back to earth a bit after a ridiculous first quarter in which they shot 71% from the field, the Bulls defense was simply unable to string together enough stops to make a game of it. At the half, the score was 61-33 Spurs and the result reflected how lopsided the game had been.</p>
<p>But the Bulls didn't quit. Their defense tightened and they started executing better on offense. Of course it helped that the Spurs seemed a little overconfident and unfocused but Chicago showed tremendous professionalism by giving a damn about a game that seemed well beyond their reach. They even cut the lead to 20 and seemed to have momentum in their favor, which put the plan of resting the starters in the fourth quarter in jeopardy. But Manu Ginobili came through to keep them at arm's length with ten third quarter points. Going into the fourth the score was 90-66, Spurs.</p>
<p>Both teams emptied the benches. The W seemed to be in the bag; it was just a matter of managing the lead. But the Bulls' subs kept fighting and put a scare on the Spurs near the end, cutting the lead to eight after a 30-point quarter and conjuring memories of the Spurs' late-game collapse against Memphis. But the deficit was simply too big to be erased in a single quarter despite the valiant efforts of <span>D.J. Augustin</span>.</p>
<p>The Spurs got their seventh win in a row and continue to lead the West.</p>
<h3>Observations</h3>
<ul>
<li>Danny Green barely played and apparently there's something wrong with his wrist. It didn't seem serious but I could see Pop erring in the side of caution and keeping him out of the Portland game.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were amazing. Tony was instrumental in breaking the game open in the first half, scoring 18 points. When Tony is playing like that, he is one of the most dominant players in the league because he can get wherever he wants and can score from everywhere, even against a usually great defensive team like the Bulls. Manu closed the door with five consecutive points just when the Bulls were starting to think a comeback was possible in the third quarter. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A very quiet scoring game for <span>Tim Duncan</span>, who couldn't get his outside shot going. But, as always, Big Fun found other ways to contribute, pulling down nine rebounds and dishing out five assists while playing very good defense on Noah.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Kawhi Leonard played <span>Jimmy Butler</span> well and pretty much matched his impact. Butler scored more in more minutes but Leonard did a fantastic job on the boards with nine. I obviously loved the few times the Spurs used 1-3 pick-and-rolls to set him up for post ups and I'm hoping Pop keeps calling for that. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tiago Splitter was getting love from the officials in the past few games. That ended in Chicago, as Tiago was called for touch fouls and ended up playing just 14 minutes due to foul trouble. It might have been a blessing in disguise, since after shutting down Boozer early in this one he will be counted on to help slow down <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Foreign Legion was great. Belinelli and Mills helped make the game a rout in the second quarter. Diaw didn't shine but contributed when the team needed him. And I already covered how amazing Ginobili was. Having those four off the bench is huge for the Spurs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Can we somehow merge <span>Jeff Ayres</span> and <span>Aron Baynes</span>? Every time Baynes gets extended playing time he shows that he is pretty much hopeless on defense. But he has a lot of really, really intriguing tools on offense. His touch around the rim is good and the form on his jumper looks fine. If only the Big Banger had Jeff's foot speed and defensive awareness, he would be the perfect fourth big. Alas, he doesn't, so I think the Spurs will only play four three bigs in the playoffs.<br>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Bulls have a solid core of two-way players in Noah, Butler and Gibson and while they are not good enough to be a threat to come out of the East, I'm predicting they will put up a fight and steal a game or two from either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a> in the conference semis. It's a shame we never got a chance to see how good this group of players could be with a healthy Rose. It will be intriguing to see what the future holds. <br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The Spurs will play the Blazers on a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#SEGABABA">SEGABABA</a> in San Antonio on Wednesday. No one played more than 30 minutes tonight so, depending on <span>Danny Green's</span> wrist, the Spurs could be at full force.</p>
<p>For the opponent's perspective, visit <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog a Bull</a></p>
<p></p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/11/5498886/recap-spurs-ride-great-first-half-in-chicago-to-seventh-straight-winJeje Gomez2014-03-11T21:40:06-05:002014-03-11T21:40:06-05:00Spurs beat Bulls, 104-96
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bulls made it just a little bit interesting late in the fourth as they cut a 28-point halftime Spurs lead to 10, but they ran out of time and the Spurs hung on to win. </p> <p>The good guys came out red hot in this contest against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> who may have had a little bit of a hangover after their emotional overtime win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>' defense was tight and focused and they couldn't miss a shot on their way to a 38-14 advantage at the end of the first.</p>
<p>The Spurs continued to play well and the Bulls couldn't buy a bucket which resulted in the Spurs taking a 61-33 lead into the break. After a competitive third quarter the Bulls' bench played the Spurs' bench hard and managed to cut a once 26-point fourth quarter lead to 10 with two minutes left. The Spurs came up with a couple of stops and CoJo had a nice block as well as a two-pointer as San Antonio held on for their seventh win in a row.</p>
<p>Sure the Spurs didn't close out the fourth quarter as well as we wanted them to, but they were absolutely great for the first three quarters of the game. Especially in building a 24-point lead in the first. The starters were all excellent tonight and I'll take the win and not give any thought to the lineup of Ayres, Bonner, Josesph, Beli, and Diaw.</p>
<p>The Spurs improve their league-best record to 47-16.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/11/5498652/final-score-spurs-win-seventh-straight-beating-the-bulls-104-96Chris Itz2014-03-11T03:23:28-05:002014-03-11T03:23:28-05:00Game Preview: Spurs at Bulls
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<figcaption>Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Spurs bring their NBA-best record and six-game winning streak into Chicago, as they take on a Bulls team that has surprised everyone by remaining in the playoff race despite the loss of Derrick Rose and the trading away of Luol Deng. </p> <div id="preview-wrapper">
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<h4><b>San Antonio Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls</b></h4>
United Center, Chicago, Il<br>March 11, 2014, 7:00 PM Spurs Time<br> TV: FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI</div>
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<p>Fun fact: A gap in between teeth is technically called "diastema." I learned this while I was trying to find a burn on Joakim Noah, who unabashedly exhibits his with every one of his notoriously emotional outbursts.</p>
<p>Noah has been the heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls and is a big reason why, after losing their two highest scorers, the team is still hanging onto a 35-28 record and first-round home-court advantage in the playoffs. The Bulls have been a thorn in the side of every team they've faced this season, while making winners out of anyone who's consistently taken the under on their defensively-minded games.</p>
<p>The problem is, I like Noah and I like the Bulls. If any team in the league reflects San Antonio's disregard for anything but winning, it's Tom Thibodeau's squad, and that, paired with Noah's incredible passion for the game, makes it hard to root against them. They have defied their post-Deng-trade expectations, going 20-10 after trading away their best non-injured player for nothing. Like the handful of entertainers who owe their unique looks to an endearing diastema -- the David Lettermans, Anthony Andersons, and that one girl from <i>CSI </i>-- the Bulls have made the best of their situation and become one of the most pleasant surprises of the second half of the year, even if none of us should be surprised by what they're capable of by now.</p>
<p>While the Bulls have overachieved since the Deng trade, the Spurs have surprised many while battling a seemingly unending deluge of injuries. Since the beginning of the year, Spurs fans have been waiting for the team to return to full health, and they're going through one of their best stretches. San Antonio has won nine of its last ten and is looking for its seventh win in a row tonight in Chi-town.</p>
<p>Recently, both teams picked up wins against the same foe: on Thursday, San Antonio dismantled the defending champion Miami Heat, 111-87; on Sunday, the Bulls beat LeBron's team in overtime.</p>
<p>Going into tonight's game, San Antonio's 46-16 record is good for best in the league, which is saying something given that they're just now playing with a full squad. San Antonio overcame the hangover of beating Miami by willing out a win against a lottery-bound <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> team on Saturday. They'll be facing a much tougher foe in Chicago, who's 19-11 at home and capable of beating anyone in the league on any given night.</p>
<p>Still, the Spurs are the best road team in the league for a reason. Pop can get his team to produce anywhere, and tonight's game should be no different. San Antonio will roll out a lineup meant to contain the frontcourt of Noah and Boozer. That should mean the more traditional combo of Duncan and Splitter up front, with Kawhi, Danny and Tony on the perimeter.</p>
<p>With D.J. Augustin and Kirk Hinrich as their point guards, and Noah their most dynamic fast-break runner, the Bulls won't be able to push the tempo and keep the pressure on the San Antonio D. That'll mean that Chicago will look to slow the game down as much as possible, which should play into San Antonio's advantage. The Spurs don't look to keep the pace up, but do run selectively. Guys like Kawhi and Patty will keep Chicago's defense honest by pressing the attack at every opportunity.</p>
<p>Defensively, Chicago will make it a point to keep Tony Parker out of the lane. That should leave pinholes in the D for Kawhi and Danny to work early. If they can't take advantage in the first quarter, the Spurs' vastly superior bench should be able to step in and make plays. Manu and Marco will look to attack the Bulls, and their playmaking will be key against a defensive unit that's used to shutting teams down. The Spurs will need to move the ball around, and the open man will need to hit the open shot, but the Spurs should do enough to score 95 or 100. That's usually all it takes against Chicago.</p>
<p>The Bulls are no offensive juggernaut; in fact, they're dead-last in points per game. One look at their roster shouldn't surprise you about that. But the team still finds ways to win. Noah has become a triple-double threat with his ability to find teammates, but Timmay will contain him better than most defenders can. The onus will come on the supporting cast to close in on open looks and keep Chicago from executing.</p>
<p>Matchup to watch: The trio of Duncan, Splitter and Diaw against Noah and Taj Gibson. Noah is the league's best passing big man, and Gibson has evolved into a solid all-around player who can do damage off the bench. If these sides cancel each other out, it should result in a W for SA.</p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-8904e35b-958d-ca7d-c97d-3c3effe47424"></b></p>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="609" style="color: #000000; background-color: #cccccc;"><tbody>
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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/CHI.gif"></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"><center>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 12px;"><b>Lineups</b></div>
<p><b>Starters</b><br><b>PG:</b> <span>Tony Parker</span><br><b>SG:</b> <span>Danny Green</span><br><b>SF:</b> <span>Kawhi Leonard</span><br><b>PF:</b> <span>Tiago Splitter</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Tim Duncan</span><br><br><b>Key Bench Players</b><br><span>Boris Diaw</span><br><span>Patty Mills</span><br><span>Manu Ginobili</span></p>
<p><br><b>Head Coach</b><br><span>Gregg Popovich</span></p>
<b></b> </center></td>
<td colspan="3"><center>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 12px;"><b>Lineups</b></div>
<p><b>Starters</b><br><b>PG:</b> <span>Kirk Hinrich</span><br><b>SG: </b><span>Jimmy Butler</span><br><b>SF:</b> <span>Mike Dunleavy</span><br><b>PF:</b> <span>Carlos Boozer</span><br><b>C:</b> <span>Joakim Noah</span><br><b></b></p>
<p><b>Key Bench Players</b></p>
<p><span>Taj Gibson</span><br><span>D.J. Augustin</span><br><span>Jimmer Fredette</span>!</p>
<b>Head Coach</b><br><p>Tom Thibodeau</p>
</center></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p><br>Bulls perspective can be found here: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blogabull</a></p>
<p>Game Prediction: Spurs by 6.</p>
<p>Line in Vegas: Spurs by 5.</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>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/3/11/5492820/game-preview-san-antonio-spurs-chicago-bullsBrunoPassos