El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 116, Chicago Bulls 105

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Chicago Bulls 105 Final
Recap | Box Score		 116 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF 28 MIN | 0-8 FG | 3-4 FT | 8 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 3 PTS | +7 +/-

Tim Duncan has played 1,518 games in his illustrious career. Sunday against the Bulls was the first in which he’s failed to record a field goal — oh, except for the one he tipped in for Chicago. Seriously. Somebody needs to get this guy back on track quickly…he’s hurting the team.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 39 MIN | 9-20 FG | 2-2 FT | 8 REB | 0 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 20 PTS | +17 +/-

STILL struggling from the 3-point line, but man is he playing brilliantly in nearly every other facet of the game. In the rare ‘Duncan struggles’ games, it’s huge for the Spurs when Kawhi dominates his matchups the way he did on Sunday.
Tiago Splitter, C 22 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | +7 +/-

The common thread during San Antonio’s recent winning streak is Splitter’s presence in the starting lineup. The eye test alone tells you the familiarity matters, and the players in the locker room confirm that it does in a big way. He’s still not on top of his game, but he says this continuity has been good for him.
Tony Parker, PG 30 MIN | 13-19 FG | 5-8 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 32 PTS | +11 +/-

Best Tony Parker game of the season? The last time he scored 32 points or more was during the 2014 playoffs, and he had the full arsenal on display today. The spin move in transition, the looping baseline drives, the mid-range jumpers, that last-second burst to the rim, shooting passing lanes to grab steals … and he kept that crazy 3-point percentage up. The Spurs and Gregg Popovich have talked recently of how confident they are in Parker’s health, and it seemed like Tony’s been showing they’re right. Or close to it, at least.
Danny Green, SG 25 MIN | 4-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 11 PTS | +7 +/-

Still not the Danny Green who hurls fireballs at the basket, but one that’s more than acceptable. Still as dangerous as anyone in the league when he gets his chances to shoot, and as the Spurs start to find their legs, he’s benefitting from the good looks. And, as always, good defense from the guy.
Marco Belinelli, SF 20 MIN | 1-4 FG | 2-2 FT | 0 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | +1 +/-

I make fun of Marco’s defense too much, but it’s all in good fun. He’s actually improved noticeably on that side of the ball, even if it’s just a result of understanding the Spurs’ system a bit better in his second season with the team. We still haven’t seen one of those games where he goes nuts, but I’ve got a feeling one’s coming sooner or later.
Aron Baynes, C 18 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 2 PTS | -5 +/-

Not as active over the last couple of games as he was at times during the road trip. But that’s what you’re going to get from Aron — he’ll be up and down, but he’s certainly found a role.
Matt Bonner, C 8 MIN | 0-2 FG | 2-2 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -1 +/-

Matty with some short run, and the Spurs had this thing under control for the majority of the day. More importantly, following the game, Bonner told us when he watches Frozen with his two kids, he sings along with all the songs but purposefully flubs the lyrics in order to annoy them. So, A+.
Boris Diaw, C 6 MIN | 1-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | +1 +/-

Played just six minutes, and it’s not like they needed him. Probably just a sort of “rest” game for him. Seemed just fine after the game.
Patty Mills, PG 16 MIN | 6-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 15 PTS | +4 +/-

Patty Mills returned to gunslinger mode after being away for a while. The last time he scored at least 15 points was Jan. 16 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Manu Ginobili, SG 25 MIN | 5-8 FG | 5-6 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 16 PTS | +14 +/-

Manu will likely to continue to be up and down, but he was quite good on Sunday. He was scoring efficiently and contributed to San Antonio’s steal-fest. Ginobili has always been such a different kind of player, where even when he struggles as an individual the Spurs can still operate at a very effective level because of his skill set. San Antonio was 24.5 points better per 100 possessions than Chicago when Manu was on the court, which was a team high.
Gregg Popovich

Not much reason for criticism. He closed his portion of media availability with, “Have a good evening. Go to dinner. Drink some wine.” Really, who am I to argue with that?

One Thing We Saw

  1. Hello, readers. Just wanted to let you know we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled events coming up this week (so not ONLY grades). It’s been a busy week “off the court” for our contributors, so thanks for the patience.
  • Joe Dooley

    Duncan “hurting the team”? I hope Matthew is joking.

  • Gabbo

    Come on man! That was completely ‘tongue and cheek’…..

    I can’t believe anybody took it seriously….

  • Ginobili137

    -__- how does manu only get a B+

  • Francesco Grigori Di Bene

    Marco deserves more than a C. He contributed with some solid defense and playmaking.

  • D

    I don’t care how poorly Tim Duncan plays, don’t you EVER give him a failing grade again! His mere presence alone is worth an A-

  • Derek

    You guys have been great-El Conclusions done for every game is like an apple a day. No worries.

    I share Joe’s thought, though…Duncan hurting the team? Can’t tell if that’s right or not, but then, I hadn’t realized that he played 28 minutes until just now either.

  • D

    In fact, that amazing stat where this is first game in 18 years without a FG is alone worth a lifetime achievement A+

  • Aurora

    *whoosh* That went right over some people’s heads

  • Elwood Blues

    More proof that this site is a complete piece of shit. God, you suck.

  • Jimbo

    Take your meds. And if you don’t like the site, feel free to move on.

  • Elwood Blues

    The comment police are here to protect and serve. lol.

  • ferscia

    Wb, TP.

    F for all the fans who lack any sense of humor.

  • Will McCann

    Bit scared of the level of reader intelligence (Duncan comment…seriously can you not detect a joke!!!). But share the view that for the Spurs to repeat Parker and Leonard need to be the Team’s best players.

  • thedrwolff5

    2 real games next. Everything looks like the machine has worked out the kinks. Toronto next then cleveland and we’ll see how far the engine has tuned up. A few more “should win” games before we play Atlanta on the road, dallas home and home around OKC followed by memphis. We’ll know a lot after that stretch starting march 22. Until then we may rip off 11 in a row…at least 9-2, but whatever happens, it sure is nice to see everyone playing the way we know they can.

  • brunostrange

    If the Internet has shown me something, it’s that some people are just too dim to get sarcasm and irony. So it goes…

    I’ve commented from time to time that Matthew is sometimes too lenient on the grading, but I think he’s being a tad harsh with Tiago. The stat line may not show it, but I thought he was a force in the paint. I’d have given him an A-

    Having said that, great job on the site, as always.

  • DorieStreet

    Diaw has not truly returned to form….yet.

  • DorieStreet

    I think it’s because in everyday life and conversation, some people don’t get exposed to sarcasm, along with wit and dry humor.

  • DorieStreet

    Ahem…….the correct phrase is “tongue-in-cheek”
    :)

  • DorieStreet

    I thought Elwood was being sarcastic.

  • DorieStreet

    About the game…solid win (against a short-handed squad…but how many games have the Spurs lost being in the same predicament).
    One by one, Spurs players are shaking off their subpar season-long funk, and returning to form.

  • GlassofOrangeJuice

    Tony and Leonard are going to be our top scorers in the playoffs. Hope we can Make a deep run!

  • Gabbo

    of course….me typing too quickly. It was definitely tongue in cheek…

  • http://icarusburning.com/ Wes

    I think it’s more because he gave no indication that he was being sarcastic. This isn’t The Onion, so it may be wise to be slightly more over the top, IMO.

  • fkj74

    Team is looking good right now, certainly better than 2 weeks ago. I still do not know how “real” it is yet. The intensity on defense is impressive. Go Spurs. And no F’s for Duncan man, tongue in check or not. Go Spurs!

  • Suave Groove

    I couldn’t see the game yesterday but saw the recap and it was awesome to see Tony beasting again. The team is playing with a lot more confidence. Apparently it’s good to make shots occasionally.

    “And STILL, Holders of NBA’s Championship Beeeeeeelt”… LOSSSS SPUUUUURSSSSS [roar]

    Next title defense, tomorrow vs Toronto!

  • Comrade747

    Woosh!

  • thetanman2233 .

    We have a real tough stretch on our way to the playoffs. If our defense is as active as it was today, minus the third quarter, I fear no one come the playoffs. Looks like most of our guys, one by one, are starting to come around and have games we were used to last year. Our woes continue after halftime with another terrible third quarter (38 points to a team lacking their two leading scorers?) but i like where we have been on this win streak. The team looks hungry, focused, determined, and angry. Loving it! Go Spurs Go!

  • GillyTooTall

    Boy, what a difference an elite TP9 makes. The Spurs are a completely different animal when he’s on top of his game. Have no idea what to expect from him in the playoffs, but I’ll be rooting for the black n silver every game! GSG.

  • TexasGal

    Don’t forget he had MVP Joaquin Noah in his face all night long! Notice that Noah didn’t score much with Duncan on him!

  • DorieStreet

    Even if Rose, Gibson, and Butler were playing yesterday…….38-point quarters are terrible—and should not happen, period.
    (BTW, in the 23-point beat shellacking the Bulls gave the Spurs back in January, the aforementioned players were in that game—and the most their team scored in one quarter was 31 points . And surprise……. it was the 3rd quarter,,,,,again.)

  • merkin

    Boris the Bear is just hibernating. He’ll stir in the playoffs.

  • thedrwolff

    How special is kawhi? Has anyone else noticed that Kawhi NEVER turns it over? Would you call Kawhi a SPOT UP shooter? The dude just does everything necessary to win games at a high level. WHEN his shooting becomes elite…and it will…what, exactly, will we say he is NOT great at? only the most ELITE dribblers in the NBA dare within 6 feet of him. He guards Lebron and Durant successfully. Rebounds Elite for SF, is a one man fast break and FINISHES. the once a game pick for a slam. (incidentally do you SEE a lot of guys even trying to run that down?…ever?) . Kawhi ONLY knows the conference finals at a minimum and the year he lost to OKC we were on a 20 game win streak through the PLAYOFFS. When it looked like miami was going to make it a series who said FU? Don’t underestimate how good this guy is because of the lack of media coverage in SA and the fact he plays with three future hall guys while pop is saying parker parker parker. He has ZERO flaws save for the shooting consistency and it sure looks like he’s getting comfortable with18 attempts a game plus FT. This pre playoff stretch is going to be fun…and don’t be surprised when we get the 5 seed maybe the 4.

  • Eric Schwartz

    Offensive fouls are turnovers.