El Conclusion: Spurs 98, Heat 85

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Miami Heat 85 FinalRecap | Box Score 98 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF 25 MIN | 5-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 12 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 10 PTS | +1 +/-

Most impressive part about his work tonight was how he pretty much closed off the paint when he was in. Luol Deng, Mario Chalmers and Shabazz Napier aren’t exactly great at getting to the basket, but Duncan was a one man wall out there. One thing: I wish Hassan Whiteside would’ve played tonight so we could’ve seen how many times Whiteside got TD with a block vs. how many times TD made Whiteside look foolish on the block.

Kawhi Leonard, SF 33 MIN | 8-15 FG | 3-4 FT | 4 REB | 4 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 24 PTS | +25 +/-

Scottie Pippen 2.0 continues to do his thing. He’s not the ball handler Scottie was, not by a mile, but I see so much Pip in him on defense especially. If Kawhi doesn’t want you getting past him, good luck. And don’t try so lazy to pass with him near. That doesn’t fly either. These are all things that made Pip special.

Aron Baynes, C 19 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 6 PTS | -4 +/-

Some nice minutes for the Baynger getting the start. One thing though, he doesn’t defend the rim like you’d think he’d be capable of doing. Tiago Splitter is a good example of a guy who isn’t the most athletic, but still manages to use his size as a deterrent at the rim. That’s something that comes with experience and playing as much as anything though.

Tony Parker, PG 29 MIN | 9-12 FG | 1-1 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 21 PTS | +16 +/-

Pop said postgame this is the best he’s looked since returning from injury. Who am I to argue? He set the tone early though. Knew he had a shorter, less experienced defender on him and went into attack mode. Exactly what the Spurs need moving forward: Attack mode TP.

Danny Green, SG 16 MIN | 3-9 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | -8 +/-

Should Danny have been in the 3-point shootout? You know what, with that stacked field maybe we should just try to get him in it next year.

Reggie Williams, SF 3 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -5 +/-

Think he’s getting a second 10-day? I do, if only to get guys minutes during the Rodeo Road Trip.

Marco Belinelli, SF 16 MIN | 2-5 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS | +9 +/-

Not so spicy on offense tonight but had some moments on defense. That’s right, he got a block. A legit block. Your eyes did not deceive you.

Matt Bonner, C 16 MIN | 1-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 3 PTS | +12 +/-

Kind of a bizarro night for the bench. No one scored in double figures and Matt Bonner had as many assists and steals as Belinelli.

Boris Diaw, C 18 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 2 PTS | +2 +/-

Still not digging new contract Boris, but I’ll hold off on being angry about it until March.

Tiago Splitter, C 18 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 4 PTS | +15 +/-

Your bench +/- leader for the evening. Nothing overly impressive tonight, but he continues to be healthy and help the Spurs when he’s out there. Can’t ask for anything else right now.

Patty Mills, PG 19 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 7 PTS | -3 +/-

#PattyMillsShotCount: Not Enough

Cory Joseph, PG 3 MIN | 1-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -5 +/-

#FreeCoJo

Manu Ginobili, SG 24 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 9 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | +10 +/-

Tynan told me to give Manu an A+++++++++ but that’s not allowed. The only negative to awesome point guard Manu is it keeps Cory Joseph on the bench.

Gregg Popovich
Probably the perfect night. Everyone got minutes, everyone got rest, Spurs cruised to victory.

Two Things We Saw

  1. And now comes the hard part. Rodeo Road Trip starts Sunday in Toronto. A great first test for the Spurs. If they win we’ll probably be talking about how hot they are going into the All-Star break because after that it’s Indiana (not an easy game, but Spurs gotta be the favorites) and then Detroit (revenge game for the Brandon Jennings garbage last month).
  2. I’m seriously bummed we didn’t get to see Hassan Whiteside. Who would’ve thought anyone would say that even 6 weeks ago?
  • Spurs fan in Australia

    I wanna see Spurs playing better, and I know they won’t get to last years NBA Finals level because that is pretty hard to replicate, but at least playing at a level that can win it all.

    Saying that, for the first time in years it is exciting to check out the Western Conference standings each day to see if he Spurs are catching up. After today’s win, half a game back on Dallas and 1 game back on the Clippers!

  • fkj74

    I know Assie. I have not checked the standings so much in years!! Saw flashes tonight of greatness from the Spurs. 6-3 would be an A for the road trip..you think? Go Spurs!

  • fkj74

    oops I meant Aussie..no offense intended

  • Philip Fletcher

    Should be a B for Duncan, he let Deng get by to much, only scored 10, should have been 15, it is okay though, you graded the way you graded.

  • Philip Fletcher

    7-2 for the road trip, would not be surprised with a 9-0, it is time for a long winning streak 15 or 20 games would be good for healthy Spurs team, including wins over Golden State and Memphis.

  • Spurs fan in Australia

    No offense taken = )