El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 83, Memphis Grizzles 73

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San Antonio Spurs 83 Final

Recap | Box Score

 73 Memphis Grizzlies
Tim Duncan, C 32 MIN | 5-12 FG | 4-4 FT | 6 REB | 4 AST | 14 PTS | +1

Duncan did a solid job defending the post, and he seemed to frustrate Marc Gasol on multiple occasions. Otherwise, it was a relatively ineffective night for the Spurs great.
Richard Jefferson, SF 37 MIN | 5-13 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 13 PTS | +1

37 minutes for Richard Jefferson is too many. But Jefferson keeps defenses honest by shooting whenever he has an open look. He had plenty of those tonight. Jefferson remains a competent, but not fantastic defender. But when he’s shooting without hesitation, competent defense is more than enough. That was the story tonight.
DeJuan Blair, F 15 MIN | 4-7 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 9 PTS | +1

Blair didn’t board well and struggled early against Speights and Gasol. His ability to score around the hoop is a constant, but his playing time is tied more closely to his defense. Tonight was a bit of a let down for Blair who gave the Spurs a good defensive showing last night against Dirk Nowitzki.
Tony Parker, PG 39 MIN | 2-9 FG | 1-1 FT | 5 REB | 12 AST | 5 PTS | +12

Tony Parker struggled from the floor, but his 12 assists more than made up for his shooting miscues. Throw in 5 rebounds and a pair of steals and Parker gets an A.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 32 MIN | 6-11 FG | 0-1 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 12 PTS | +4

Leonard got his swagger back after a series of mediocre games. His energy and ability to disrupt the game gave the Spurs an offensive and defensive edge. Leonard’s 4 offensive boards were huge momentum builders for San Antonio and his defense on Rudy Gay nearly caused the Memphis swing to whine his way out of the game.
Matt Bonner, PF 24 MIN | 5-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 15 PTS | +21

Matt Bonner did what Matt Bonner does when Matt Bonner is playing well—he knocked down one three pointer after another. My favorite moment of the game came when Matt Bonner protested a loose ball foul on what would have been a tough rebound. Bonner doesn’t get many tough rebounds. It’s nice to know he cares.
Daniel Green, G 31 MIN | 3-10 FG | 3-5 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 11 PTS | +9

Danny Green receives strong marks on the strength of effort, hustle, and making a handful of good defensive plays.
Gary Neal, PG 15 MIN | 0-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 0 PTS | -4

Gary Neal made me hope for Cory Joseph. One night after putting together his best game of the season, Neal turned in another game to forget.
Tiago Splitter, C 15 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-2 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 4 PTS | +11

I can’t figure out why Splitter doesn’t play more minutes. IT. DOES. NOT. MAKE. SENSE. What are you doing Gregg Popovich? Even with his three turnovers, dude was +11. IT. DOES. NOT. MAKE. SENSE. This was not a great outing for Splitter, but, really, 15 minutes? Really?

One Thing We Saw

  1. With 7:00 minutes remaining in the game, Gregg Popovich could have gone to his bench. Instead he, maddeningly, kept Tony Parker and Tim Duncan in the game. And they remained in the game for another six minutes. Cory Joseph, Kawhi Leonard, DeJuan Blair, Tiago Splitter, and James Anderson were available for minutes. Popovich’s decision to play Duncan and Parker 32 and 39 minutes is a head scratcher.
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  • DorieStreet

    Anderson needs to get out on the floor and become part of the rotation. How else is he going to get better for our team?

  • DorieStreet

    Last season Spitter had played in 60 games with quite a few being cameo appearances or end of game mop-up duty. The only way he improves this season is to get him 20 minutes a game.

  • DorieStreet

    Some of the ‘advanced stats’ that have appeared in basketball the last few years are superfluous.
    +/- can give a fan some perspective on a player’s contribution, but it can be misleading.
    Remember the ’99 playoff semifinal game 2 vs Portland? The Blazers led all the way until the last shot by Sean Elliott- the 3pointer right at the edge of the court. What would the +/- of the players be for that contest?

  • http://radsci.uthscsa.edu/index.php/User:Nima Nima K.

    I teach a college course at SWRI. But I’m working on finishing my PhD at UTHSCSA. My lab is on the 6th floor of the medical school bldg. Small world! But since youre here as well, I have a question for you: Can you actually walk into the Spurs facility? Or do you need a badge or something? I feel so tempted to just walk in there, and check the place out, each time I pass by the Spurs facility on Floyd Curl Drive! I wonder if anyone’s done that before.

  • Daniel T

    It can at times be misleading, and at times give perspective. When people write off Bonner’s consistently good +/- numbers as having no value, they have lost perspective. His job isn’t simply a matter of scoring on 3 points shots, and therefore he’d be worthless if he misses, but to draw a defender out with him to help open up the paint for others. The +/- numbers will give some idea when it is working, even if it is imperfect.

  • Bry

    Well said. There’s method to Pop’s madness. And, yes, his minutes should be reduced.

  • Bry

    If Blair’s not motivated after getting largely benched for the playoffs last year, then he likely never will be.

  • Bry

    That’s a good point. There’s a reason their offense was so outstanding last year until the injuries. When Bonner (and maybe Jefferson) is on the court then both Manu and Parker have free reign to dribble-drive or exploit the D with pick and rolls.

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