El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 110, Houston Rockets 98

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Houston Rockets 98 FinalRecap | Box Score 110 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF 28 MIN | 2-5 FG | 2-2 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 4 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | +6 +/-
The Rockets are a tough team for Timmy to deal with, on both sides of the ball. They’re just relentless in attacking the rim offensively, and then they’ve got Dwight Howard guarding Duncan defensively. Big takeaway on the Big Fundamental’s performance? Two steals and four blocks in 28 minutes ain’t half-bad.

Kawhi Leonard, SF 35 MIN | 9-15 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 4 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 20 PTS | +13 +/-
That’s four straight games with at least 20 points, and 14 of the last 21. I’ve written recently that San Antonio seems a bit top-heavy, that the bench hasn’t been great, that role players who exploded last season aren’t doing so this season. But I’m starting to think that what we’re watching is Kawhi taking his game to a level nobody else on the team can achieve — like he’s just better than everyone else and we’re not exactly accustomed to seeing that happen with the Big 3 around. I mean, I’m DISAPPOINTED in this performance. Only 20 points in 35 minutes, Kawhi? Seriously?

Aron Baynes, C 25 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 12 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 8 PTS | +17 +/-
He’s come around quite nicely since that ankle injury, and he was needed against a front line like Houston’s in Splitter’s absence. Baynes has become a reliable, pretty consistent NBA big man, and I’m not sure I saw that coming. This might be the deepest the Spurs’ front-court has been in a long time.

Tony Parker, PG 26 MIN | 13-18 FG | 1-3 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 27 PTS | +15 +/-
Tony smoked the Rockets’ point guards, which you would’ve expected considering Jason Terry and Pablo Prigioni are both about 82 years old. He kept the Spurs afloat early in the game when they were mucking things up, but only had to play 26 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back. But the highlight of his night may have come post-game (check notes at the bottom).

Danny Green, SG 26 MIN | 3-10 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | +10 +/-
Danny’s been on fire lately, so this was a bit of an off night. Still, he always contributes, even when the shot isn’t falling. Green’s become a super-valuable 3-and-D guy who’s playing his way to a really nice payday this offseason. I’m sure the Spurs hope it’s with them.

Jeff Ayres, PF 6 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -7 +/-
That garbage-time dunk was pretty fun. I understand why Spurs fans give this guy a hard time, I really do. But he’s an easy dude to root for, so I enjoy when he gets a little shine-time. And I find it impossible to give a grade for guys playing when the game gets out of hand, but that slam earned him high honors.

Kyle Anderson, SF 6 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -7 +/-
It’s good for Kyle to get some run when he can, even if he struggles while out on the floor. That’s a tough team to deal with for a young guy who’s still learning how to defend.

Reggie Williams, SF 10 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 3 PTS | -14 +/-
Williams actually got an early look in this game hit a 3-pointer with the Spurs down by four points in the second quarter. I don’t really like grading players who have only been with the team for a relatively short time, and while he did hit an important shot (at the time, at least), he was not good defensively. Just consider this a practice quiz, Reggie.

Matt Bonner, C 5 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -10 +/-
Matty was dealing with some gastroenteritis — his tummy hurt — last night and the Spurs didn’t need his floor-spacing in the win.

Boris Diaw, C 27 MIN | 7-14 FG | 0-0 FT | 9 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 15 PTS | +20 +/-
Are we at the point where we can say Boris is officially back? If not, it’s getting close. He isn’t the guy we saw in the Finals, but he’s doing all the things that make him so valuable. I guess he’s finally decided to flip that switch Parker was talking about.

Patty Mills, PG 6 MIN | 0-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -7 +/-
Really rooting for Patty to find his shot, and it just isn’t happening. So long as the Spurs keep blowing people out, he’ll continue to get chances. C’MON PATTY!

Cory Joseph, PG 22 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | +16 +/-
Pretty standard, solid stat line for Cory — just notching points in basically every category. With Mills struggling, Joseph has stepped in admirably. His steadiness will make it difficult for Patty to regain his spot unless he starts firing away from 3 like he did last season. Cory is giving the Spurs great defense and a bigger body at the point, and the team is responding well when he’s in the game. He’s another guy who’s earning a new contract, though it might be elsewhere, unfortunately.

Manu Ginobili, SG 18 MIN | 5-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 13 PTS | +8 +/-
Man, the Spurs hummed when Manu was on the court. It’s these kinds of nights where we’re reminded that he can still hit that next gear. It won’t be there every night, but he’s so valuable, and San Antonio is virtually unbeatable when he produces like this. And hey, he can be even better.

Gregg Popovich
He’s got his team rolling right now. Popovich took a lot of heat from some fans earlier this season (for reasons unbeknownst to me), but this season ranks up there as one of his best, in my opinion. A lot of shit hit the fan over the first four months or so, but he kept pulling strings and keeping his guys above water. Now look at them.

Four Things We Saw

  1. This quote from Tony Parker was just so Spursy. Seriously, an amazing team (via Dan McCarney).
  2. How about this stat: Per ESPN Stats and Info and Elias, the Spurs have tied an NBA record with their ninth consecutive win by 12 points or more. They’re just killing people right now.
  3. The Spurs have won nine straight games and are still the 6th seed. That’s so ridiculous. Keep an eye on those standings, though, because that could change in the blink of an eye. San Antonio is just one game back in the loss column of the 2nd seed.
  4. It’s Rockets-Spurs again on Friday, this time in Houston. And it’s a big game.
  • wannabe_fake_tough_guy

    Lame as hell. Bonner deserved an A last night.

  • joe

    I loved Sean Elliot as a player but man is he an awful sports commentator. I’ve had no choice but to listen to away games broadcasts to avoid hearing Sean Elliot whine the entire time.

  • twinm85

    so home fans think he’s whines against the team too much, and away fans think he’s a homer (which is what local broadcasters are supposed to do). who knew?

  • jamberg

    I’ve been concerned all year about our lack of bench shooting without Patty, but man, our defense is so good when we play CoJo with Danny and Kawhi. When we went small in the 3rd with CoJo/Manu/Kawhi/Danny/Timmy, we obliterated the Houston offense. It felt like we were forcing a turnover once every 30 seconds. So, even though spacing gets a little wonky without Patty (and our defense will suffer if we have to juice spacing by playing Marco next to him) defensively, we’ll be able to hold serve. I’m getting less and less concerned with our backup point guard spot with how Cory’s been playing.

  • brunostrange

    I don’t think he whines against the team (at least not in my view), in fact he’s as big a homer as any local broadcaster. I do know many people find his whining about calls or about the other team to be annoying.

    I give Elliott a lot of leeway given his place in SA lore, so I’m still a fan.

  • merkin

    If it’s true that Corey’s next contract will be somewhere else, then that would be a disappointment. I feel the Spurs have been building him slowly to where, in 2-3 yrs, we’ll be saying the kind of things we’re now saying about Kawhi, relatively speaking (he’ll never be as! good as K). When his offense (mainly his confidence) catches up to his D., he’ll be starter good.

  • brunostrange

    I would have given Anderson a D on the basis of that awful slow motion breakaway. Otherwise, agree with everything else. Great team win.

    At the risk of sounding too cocky - as long as Tiago is healthy, not too worried if we have to face HOU in the playoffs.

  • TD BestEVER

    Great Game from EVERYBODY!!! And the reason people questioned POP earlier in the season Matthew is because his rotations were GARBAGE!!!! It may not matter now IF the Spurs keep rolling and end up with the 2 or 3 seed but if we don’t then all those games we lost with TP/Patty mucking things up could hurt us. Cory could have added enough in those games vs the Knicks, Jazz and even Raptors that we could have had like 3 more wins at this point. So yes fans have a right to questions the coaches or the organization, because after all WE PAY THE BILLS!!!!! And to say we don’t know what the goal of the team is or the strategy etc is just plain wrong!!!! Its the job of the organization to express what their goals and strategies are when they are trying to sell you season tickets, amongst other things. The Spurs are trying to win a title, are a team 1st organization, and need crisp ball movement in order to be successful. We all know these things so when you at home can see we aren’t doing things like normal and POP is slow to adjust its frustrating. So yes he and everyone can be criticized as long as its objectively and someone has done their homework.

  • Comrade747

    Disagree, Sean Elliot commentates with a lot of passion and I appreciate it.

    I mean.. I am watching a local cast.

  • junierizzle

    I agree. I don’t get the hate for Elliot. I watch Spurs on league pass and sometimes I have to watch games with the opposing team’s broadcasters, which sucks. People would rather hear passion for the other team?

  • junierizzle

    Word. I think this year defense will be more key than last. Especially now that teams like the Warriors, Rockets, Hawks and Cavs pretty much play like the Spurs- ball movement, three point shooting, etc.

  • TD BestEVER

    I agree I think his Defense more than makes up for his offense. Plus if you look at his assists numbers he does a very good job of running the offense and letting others shine. Because he doesn’t need the ball other people, KL, Diaw, Manu all get more looks. Also just watch him fight over the TOP of most picks. The reason we struggle with Pick and Roll Defense isn’t because our bigs are quick enough to hedge and get back, it’s because some of our guards go under and put everyone else in a bad position!!! CJ doesn’t most time which keeps everything in order.

    Just go look back at the Rodeo Road Trip and look at the losses to Toronto, and Clippers, Utah, and since then New York all could have been wins with more CJ.

  • KawaiianIsland420

    lol at all our 48’ers commenters saying t-pain was done and he should be benched. Yall act like he should be playing like chrsi paul or curry. Parker is similar to ginobli, not gunna have the magic every night (with Sugar K Leonard and CoJo’s improvement its not needed) but when they do its usually an automatic W. Also props to CoJo being semi-heavily used in the beginning of season, then saw no minutes for awhile….now pops has given him to be the #2 to parker and he is doing so freaking good…brb taking blunts to the dome with duncan

  • Wayne

    Regarding Tony’s very Spursy quote: It might be worth pointing out that David Robinson was the first. He deferred to Tim when he came in. He sort of set the standard at GOLD for Spursy-ness.

  • http://icarusburning.com/ Wes

    Wow, couldn’t disagree more. Sean Elliot breaks down the game so much better than any other color commentator that I’ve seen. It pains me to listen to Chris Webber or Doris Burke muddle their way through a game and provide absolutely zero insight.

  • Andrew

    Cory Joseph gets a B?? Really? Anytime Joseph had to guard Harden, he stopped him in his tracks. He was getting in the passing lanes and hustling every which way. That’s nothing short of an A++

  • fkj74

    The D is really good with Cojo out there. He needs to stop passing up the open 3 as it bogs down the offense. Also Baynes is killing it!! . Here is hoping we make in to #2. Long way to go yet. Go Spurs!

  • fkj74

    Also I like the local team broadcast. They have good banter and make some good points. They are homers but that is their role. Tarheel!! triple, Kawow, flaky corrisant, Manu magic are among my favorites. Go Spurs!

  • joe

    Sometimes he makes good points and he knows what he is talking about analytically , but his constant whining makes him sound like a overbearing little league parent.

  • neverthehero

    I do as well, but holy smokes the whole State of Texas and their announcers. I wanted to punch the Rockers announcers last night. If he tells us one more time that Howard goal tending was going to instill fear into the Spurs.

  • Dapimp Ofdayear

    LOL you’ve got to be kidding. Sean Elliot can’t hold Doris Burke’s jock when it comes to timing, delivery, insight, and in-depth knowledge when it comes to ANY NBA team.