El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 110, Orlando Magic 103

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Orlando Magic 103 Final
Recap | Box Score		 110 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF 34 MIN | 11-17 FG | 4-8 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 26 PTS | -16 +/-

Timmy had his 820th double-double tonight. As Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News pointed out, that’s 10 full seasons worth of double-doubles. Which is, of course, silly. It was a good offensive day for the big man, but things were a bit rough defensively. Still, the “Tim Duncan is carrying this team” theme continues to play out, despite tonight’s weird plus/minus numbers.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 38 MIN | 7-9 FG | 4-4 FT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 4 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 18 PTS | -3 +/-

Kawhi was everywhere tonight, but what’s new? When he plays with this level of efficiency, his game gets to another level.
Boris Diaw, C 19 MIN | 2-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | -14 +/-

It’s these nights where he’s so quiet that are so weird. You can count me as someone who believes things will kick into gear in the coming months, but the longer this lasts, the more skeptical I grow.
Tony Parker, PG 30 MIN | 6-15 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 15 PTS | -12 +/-

In this struggle of a season, it can’t be understated how huge it is that Tony’s making more than 50 percent of his 3-pointers. Tonight, his last one sealed the deal. I tend to lean on the patient, wait-and-see side of things, but there’s no denying it — he hasn’t been right since he injured his hamstring in early December. Still, tonight, he hit some big shots late in the game.
Danny Green, SG 26 MIN | 2-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | -8 +/-

The up-and-down shooting of Danny Green continued in this one. But for as good as he’s been this season, that’s kind of been his thing, hasn’t it?
Marco Belinelli, SF 17 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 11 PTS | +15 +/-

Ahh, the bench. San Antonio’s second unit got Marco back tonight and looked like itself again. And that’s good to see, because one of the things this team missed that was absolutely underrated was those quick scoring bursts from Belinelli. Whether it’s shooting or scoring, Marco provides something valuable during the regular season for the Spurs — some of those shooting spurts are the difference between the Spurs old guys playing 30 minutes or 35 minutes, relatively speaking.
Aron Baynes, C 14 MIN | 2-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 9 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 4 PTS | +23 +/-

Baynes was really solid tonight on both sides of the ball. His job is simple, but when he does it well, it’s quite valuable. Especially when Tiago doesn’t play.
Patty Mills, PG 18 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 9 PTS | +19 +/-

Another member of the Foreign Legion who got in on the fun. He wasn’t spectacular, but he hit a few 3-pointers and helped change momentum early in the game, as he’s wont to do.
Cory Joseph, PG 16 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | +5 +/-

Quiet. Solid (as usual), but quiet.
Manu Ginobili, SG 29 MIN | 5-9 FG | 0-2 FT | 6 REB | 10 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 13 PTS | +26 +/-

A good Manu night. He was active, setting up teammates beautifully, and hitting shots efficiently. He was basically the Ginobili you want to see a lot of at this point in his career.
Gregg Popovich

As it usually is with me, I’ve got nothing to complain about. Just kind of wondering what’s going on with Tiago.

Two Things We Saw

  1. After a glimpse at the Spurs’ upcoming schedule, I really think a five-game winning streak heading into the All-Star break would be a really solid goal to hit. It’s totally doable, but they’re going to have to play well. Let’s see what they make of their last game in San Antonio on Friday before all the events start kicking off in New York City.
  2. The Spurs face the Heat on Friday. There will be no LeBron James (obviously), and there will be no Dwyane Wade. Neither guy is the story of that franchise right now, however. That title belongs to their scrap-heap, out-of-nowhere, fall-out-of-the-sky 7-foot phenom, Hassan Whiteside. Whatever is going on with that dude is amazing. Do yourself a favor and watch some highlights before Friday’s game.


  • E

    “The Spurs face the Heat on Friday. There will be LeBron James (obviously), and there will be no Dwyane Wade.” The missing “no” is a big deal here, heh.

    Less significant typo “I’ve got nothing to complain out”

  • Bussman

    I love El Conclusión and I’m always waiting for it, but I have to say I disagree with the A- you give to Manu…

    55% shooting night, 60% from 3’s, 10 assist, 6 reb, 1 (irrelevant) TO and +26 in a seven point game in 29 minutes (which is a lot at this point)…

    What do you want for the guy to give him an A or an A+?

    Can you elaborate, please?

  • Dapimp Ofdayear

    The point about Bellinelli’s regular season value was on point. He and Patty were the reason the Spurs were able play so often with guys out due to rest/injury, and still win 62 games last season. Beliinelli hasn’t been great in the playoffs, but he is very useful during the regular season when playoff seeding is being decided.

  • Emil E. Matula III

    Free throws.

  • Emil E. Matula III

    Belinelli,even for the postseason, buys minutes. He’s a huge plus if he’s playing well.

  • Matthew R Tynan

    Thanks for the heads up… must’ve been late :-/

  • Matthew R Tynan

    Are we at the point where A- is an insult? You guys are crazy. If this is an A+, then what do I do when he goes for like 23 and 8? He was awesome in this game, but haven’t we seen better Manu?

  • Comrade747

    Duncan with an A-

    Hmmmmmm

    HHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

    I’m not even the biggest Duncan guy. Give the old reliable some slack

  • Tyler

    You’re right about Tony. He just doesn’t look explosive. I’ll take the patient route as well, but he’s struggling to go by guys right now. For someone so adept at changing speeds, it’s startling when he doesn’t have that extra gear.

    While I haven’t looked at the #’s, I’d bet his shot attempts/makes and fg% in the paint are down significantly. And while Kawhi has shown more creativity this year and TD is still solid, without TP’s ability to get in the paint, break down and collapse the defense, the offense is going to be a grind against elite defenses. TP is still the creative engine that drives this offense.

  • Kevin Di Felice

    Crazy stat.
    Plus/minus 14/15
    Manu +198, Tony -54.

  • Suave Groove

    Well, lets hope Belli does shows up! After a very good regular season last year, he was a ghost in the Playoffs.

  • brunostrange

    I realize this is going to come off as a “sky is falling” post, but the Spurs better be on the look-out for a free agent who is a threat to drive, penetrate and dish during the off-season. SA’s offense has had incredible success in the past because of TP’s ability to dominate those areas of the game (and Manu doing the same with the second unit).

    I think what we’re seeing from TP are the first serious signs of decline (nothing to be ashamed about - with the numerous deep post-season runs, combined with the international play, there’s a lot of mileage on those legs), and his inability to consistently beat his man off the dribble, and to create for others, is having a serious impact in how SA’s offense executes. SA might be wise to look for another offense creator in the summer.

  • lol tony

    Best thing about Tony is that huge contract he just got. If he keeps this up, he’ll be in RJ territory with an almost untradable contract.

  • Suave Groove

    I like your post and it didn’t come off as a the “sky is falling”. It’s VERY realistic and that’s all. Whoever is waiting for TP to be the player he was before 2013 is naive.

    For me the way the team’s playing is definitely very concerning. They aren’t the 2014 RedSox as sometimes they show how awesome they can be (first 3 games after having Kawhi back), but even now when the schedule has eased up they still look like they need more time off.

  • GSG

    Tim Duncan, like Pop, should receive an A+ every game regardless of what he does.

  • Suave Groove

    LOL But declining or not, SPURS front office wont trade him. That window passed up after Jason Kidd turned down SA.

  • Emil E. Matula III

    A- is right on the money. Manu has been leaving points at the foul line all season. He’s making up for it with assists and timely shooting, but bad foul shooting is deserving of the minus.

  • Bussman

    2 FT… That’s not count… Clearly is overtaken by 60% from 3 point land in 140% more attempts….

  • Bussman

    Well, I see your point, but then I have to disagree with the A to Kawhi
    Leonard (a Finals MVP in his prime)… He has fewer rebounds and
    assists, more turnovers, and a horrible +/-

    You have to make your choice, but not in an arbitrary way…

  • Bussman

    This is not a season qualification… His FT% does not count for it…

    Then you give anyone an A because he make a steal and dunk like four games away!

  • Suave Groove

    I really don’t think Kawhi is in his prime. Maybe flashing some of it now but still not there. And that’s good!

  • Bussman

    I dont want to look like a smart guy, but I really think that Manu is underappreciated (and I think is a lot to say)…

    Look at the best shootings guards of history and nobody (except Michael Jordan and cuestionables ones) give the numbers we see from Manu at this age: 12.2 pts, 3.0 rbs, 4.8 ast…

    For the insight, how many double double Manu have? Do you know this season is tie for the second most than he give us like forever in a regular season?

    Seriously, I see an A- in a double double for a shooting guard at 37 (with excelent percentages) and I think we don’t realize what we have…

    Only a few of the best was active at 37 and only Michael Jordan (like nobody else), Reggie Miller and John Havlicek are in his league… There are a few in pace for it, but we see what’s happening to Kobe… And we’ll see what happens to the rest of that guys….

    I collect some numbers (at 37 or the last year in the league):

    30. Gail Goodrich (retired at 35 - 12.7 pts, 2.5 rbs, 4.8 ast)
    29. Latrell Sprewell (retired at 34 - 12.8 pts, 3.2 rbs, 2.2 ast)
    28. Jamal Crawford (active at 34 - 15.7 pts, 2.1 rbs, 2.6 ast)
    27. Michael Redd (retired at 32 - 8.2 pts, 1.5 rbs, 0.6 ast)
    26. Paul Westphal (retired at 33 - 7.0 pts, 0.7 rbs, 2.5 ast)
    25. Alvin Robertson (retired at 33 - 9.3 pts, 4.4 rbs, 4.2 ast)
    24. Joe Dumars (retired at 35 - 13.8 pts, 2.2 rbs, 4.3 ast)
    23. Hal Greer (retired at 36 - 5.6 pts, 2.8 rbs, 2.9 ast)
    22. Manu
    21. Tracy McGrady (retired at 32 - 5.3 pts, 3.0 rbs, 2.1 ast)
    20. Chris Mullin (retired at 37 - 5.8 pts, 2.1 rbs, 1.0 ast)
    19. Vince Carter (ACTIVED at 37 - 11.9 pts, 3.5 rbs, 2.6 ast)
    18. Sidney Moncrief (retired at 33 - 4.7 pts, 1.8 rbt, 1.4 ast)
    17. Bill Sharman (retired at 34 - 16.0 pts, 3.7 rbs, 2.4 ast)
    16. Sam Jones (retired at 35 - 16.3 pts, 3.8 rbs, 2.6 ast)
    15. Mitch Richmond (retired at 36 - 4.1 pts, 1.5 rbs, 0.9 ast)
    14. David Thompson (retired at 29 - 12.6 pts, 2.3 rbs, 0.7 ast)
    13. Reggie Miller (retired at 39 - 12.6 pts, 2.5 rbs, 2.4 ast)
    12. Earl Monroe (retired at 35 - 7.4 pts, 0.7 rbs, 1.3 ast)
    11. Ray Allen (retired at 38 - 10.9 pts, 2.7 rbs, 1.7 ast)
    10. John Havlicek (retired at 37 - 16.1 pts, 4.0 rbs, 4.0 ast)
    09. Pete Maravich (retired at 32 - 11.5 pts, 1.5 rbs, 1.1 ast)
    08. Allen Iverson (retired at 34 - 13.8 pts, 2.3 rbs, 2.8 ast)
    07. George Gervin (retired at 33 - 16.2 pts, 2.6 rbs, 1.8 ast)
    06. Clyde Drexler (retired at 35 - 18.4 pts, 4.9 rbs, 5.5 ast)
    05. Oscar Robertson (retired at 35 - 12.7 pts, 4.0 rbs, 6.4 ast)
    04. Jerry West (retired at 35 - 20.3 pts, 3.7 rbs, 6.6 ast)
    03. Dwyane Wade (ACTIVED at 33 - 21.4 pts, 3.8 rbs, 5.4 ast)
    02. Kobe Bryant (ACTIVED at 36 - 22.3 pts, 5.7 rbs, 5.6 ast)
    01. Michael Jordan (retired at 39 - 22.9 pts, 5.7 rbs, 5.2 ast)

    I use the information of this note, because I don’t have that knowledge about NBA history (http://hoopshabit.com/2014/11/18/nba-power-rankings-best-30-shooting-guards-time/)… I hope is certain, but I’ll be happy to scout any other number about great shooting guards!

    Another ones:

    Jerry Stackhouse: 3.6 pts, 0.8 rbs, 0.5 ast
    Jason Terry (retired at 28)
    Drazen Petrovic (retired at 28)
    Gilbert Arenas (retired at 30)
    Eddie Jones (retired at 36)
    Dan Majerle (retired at 36)
    Richard Hamilton (retired at 34)
    Jo Jo White (retired at 34)
    Anfernee Hardaway (retired at 36)
    Hersey Hawkins (retired at 34)

    PS: I hope my poor English is understood