San Antonio Spurs 119, Houston Rockets 102

by

AT&T CENTER–George Hill has been shuffled through the lineup from bench to starter, from point guard to shooting guard and back. Along the way the second year guard has been asked to be part Tony Parker, part Avery Johnson with a dash of Bruce Bowen.

While not quite yet an amalgamation of all these parts, what Hill has proven to be is one hell of a player.

“He has some big shoes to fill without Tony (Parker) playing,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. “He’s doing a great job getting the team to play, scoring, playing ‘D’ on, usually, the best opponent. He’s been huge for us.”

Hill scored a career-high 30 points to go with seven assists and five steals, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-102 victory over the Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center.

Tim Duncan recovered from an off night in New Jersey, recording a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Despite Duncan’s brilliant first half (where he scored all 17 points on 8-10 shooting) and the Spurs shooting a blistering 62.5 percent, the Rockets were able to keep up with the pace and trailed only five at halftime.

Aaron Brooks picked up where he left off from his last meeting with the Spurs, pouring in 16 first half points. Then, George Hill took over. The second-year combo guard helped the Spurs pull away with an 11-point third quarter, sparked in part by an outstanding defensive quarter in which he recorded three steals and held Brooks to just three points.

“We talked about knuckling down on defense, we gave up 59 points in the first half and we usually try to limit teams to 24 points per quarter,” Hill said. “We felt like we gave up to much so we buckled down on defense during the second half.”

Hill wasn’t alone in the backcourt as Manu Ginobili, who–to the relief of Spurs fans everywhere–returned from a one-game absence caused by back spasms apparently no worse for the wear.

With Tony Parker out, the Spurs have relied almost exclusively on Ginobili to generate quality shots for the entire team. After the Spurs struggled offensively against the New Jersey Nets on Monday, Ginobili quickly put the Spurs back on track with a layup while assisting on two others to start the game.

“I feel great. I’m kind of surprised how good I feel,” Manu Ginobili said. “My back didn’t bother me at all tonight which makes me very happy.”

Ginobili’s presence relieves Hill of some of the playmaking duties, allowing Hill to concentrate on his strengths (defense and scoring) while learning how to be a point guard on the fly.

“His defense is very good,” said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. “He’s getting more and more confident on the offense and slowly starting to take charge of situations, which is tough to do for someone that hasn’t been a point guard for very long.”

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  • Miguel

    Hey guys, why did you all stop with the podcasts?

  • Cheyenne Harty

    @Jim Henderson,

    It’s always a game of matchups, and I think the Lakers were specifically designed to deal with the old Spurs. Conversely, this Spurs team was designed to compete with the Lakers, but I don’t think we have the size to do it yet– not in a seven game series with LA possessing home court advantage. That being said, the Spurs still have a fighting chance against any team, though I think the Lakers will be a harder match up than most. It also seems that we really struggle against Utah. In my mind, Utah is the team to beat.

    My biggest worry, however, has nothing to do with who we play against in the postseason. Rather, the only thing I’m concerned about is whether our rotation will be able to “gel” once Parker comes back. He’s been out for awhile and likely won’t be in playoff shape. Also, the team has gotten accustomed to not playing with him. Don’t get me wrong; I am no Parker hater, and we definitely need the diminutive Frenchman if we are to have any chance. The question remains, however: What’s the new rotation?

  • duaneofly

    I’d still rather lose in the WCF to the Lakers than in the first round. First off, because I love watching the Spurs play. Secondly, more home playoff games = more money for the organization. This would be helpful due to the luxury tax they’ll be paying.

    I also agree with Agutierrez in that Kobe may tire, and slow down a lot, if he has a couple tough rounds. Say they play Portland in the first round, and have to run, then play Phoenix (4 seed) and have to run. That’d be a lot of wear on his old legs.

    Of course we’d have to play the Mavs than Utah/OKC, which would be no picnic either.

  • BALLHOG

    @JimJim

    J, youhave been on a roll all week. Must be attending a Yoga class.

    Good post, great point. Besides, looks like eigth seed or no seed at this point.

    The only chance I do give to this Spurs team is this,

    They are playing/have played the best in the league for the remiander of the season.

    These games could be prepping the Spurs for things to come in the playoffs. Lot to be said of being battle tested at playoff time. They should definately be tested.

    At this point though, hope Pop stops jerking our chain and just plays the players that give us the best chance to win, even if one of them is a center.

  • junierizzle

    @JIm Henderson,

    So, I guess we should all just stop blogging and watching the games if Lakers are a lock, right?
    Why are we even here?

    That’s why they play the games.

    Don’t be scared my friend. The LAKE SHOW just got blown out last night for the umpteenth time.

  • idahospur

    I don’t want the Lakers in any sense, too many things seem to go their way come playoffs. I’m also sure Joey Crawford will ref every game of that series. Let them get beat up by someone for a little bit, then we can take them on.
    Denver doesn’t seem to be firing on all cylinders because of Karl being out (get well George). They may have the motivation to do it for him, but I think it will be hard to get things together for them.
    Dallas looks good, but they have weird playoff luck and I’ll believe they can do it when I see it.
    Utah is mean and will fight to the death against anyone. Salt Lake will be loud for any visiting team.
    Phoenix wants it, I can see it. They are tired of getting tossed around and they seem to be getting things done.
    OKC is too young for long-term playoff success. Maybe they can get lucky in the first round, but I don’t see many surprises from there.
    Portland will beat some people up, but I also see lack of post season playing leading to their downfall.
    That leaves our Spurs, who have struggled all year but are coming around. They may have needed to hold off this late to be ready for games 83 and beyond, or maybe it is their intention to scare fans.
    Let’s finish strong and put some underdog fear into the rest of the West!

  • Jim Henderson

    spurchief
    April 1st, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    In the absence of a miracle, there will be no title in SA this year, and no win against LA either, regardless of the round. Now that we got that piece of reality out of the way, you’d seriously prefer to play the Lakers in round one because our players would get more rest thay way, as if the off-season is not long enough for that? You’ve got to be joking me, right? Any FO in the league is going to want to survive as long as they can, regardless of the team’s chances to win it all, and the best odds of doing that is to avoid LA in round one, if at all possible.

  • BigWhit

    @ThatBigGuy
    Let’s hope Spitter is as successful as Scola, as a Spur that is.

  • Jim Henderson

    duaneofly
    April 1st, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    “I’d still rather lose in the WCF to the Lakers than in the first round. First off, because I love watching the Spurs play. Secondly, more home playoff games = more money for the organization. This would be helpful due to the luxury tax they’ll be paying.”

    I’m glad you took the time to spell out the obvious. I’m sure the team feels the same way, as well.

    junierizzle
    April 1st, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    Look, I didn’t say it was “impossible”, but to hold on to the idea of the Spurs beating LA in a 7-game series this year as a realistic possibility is pure fantasy.

  • junierizzle

    @ Jim Henderson

    I don’t see how you can call it a fantasy??

    The Lakers are so beatable, especially this year. They don’t have it. Artest is a bust. Bynum is a wash even if he comes back, Fisher is done, Farmar and Brown can’t do anything unless no one gaurds them, their entire bench is a joke, Gasol only plays great if he is the main guy, and let KOBE take all the shots. Just like he did against the HAWKS, yeah he couldn’t miss but they the shots weren’t falling as much in the second half. Lamar doesn’t show up all the time. They were blown out by Thunder, Hornets and HAwks and should have lost to the SPURS.

    Do I have to go on??

    WHat about that says that they are unbeatable????

    YOu can’t say beating the LAKERs is a fantasy.

  • andy

    fantasy?

    i think it’s a longshot, but i wouldn’t go that far. as currently constructed, we might not have the length to deal with l.a.’s bigs, but they have a glaring, screaming achilles heel for which we have just the right spear. the aaron brook’s and tony parker’s of the nba are a nightmare for l.a. their lack of quality pg play has really screwed them this year, and with a healthy parker, i think it gives us a shot.

    re: hill on brooks. i could see malik giving him a few tips on guarding brooks, but i honestly think this helps prove once and for all that the way you deal with ultraquick players is to stick some length on them.

  • Colin

    @Junierizzle

    Really? While I don’t think the Lakers are unbeatable, they are a little better than what you are saying. Plus, Bynum will not be a wash when he returns (their flaws are highlighted when he is out), Artest will be valuable when it counts, and their bench is just a LITTLE better than you give credit.

    With that said, they will have a hell of a time getting 4 wins out of 7 against the Spurs.

  • rohan

    i believe that we can beat LA or any team in the playoffs….. 2010 is our year……. lets support our team…… GO SPURS GO………
    I’ll say it once more…. Malik Hairston will be the next George Hill next year…… i believe that he will improve like hill……. let him play in the playoffs pop…. we never know… he is the key that were looking…..

  • bduran

    Jim H.,

    Beating the Laker’s is fantasy huh? Let me throw some reality your way. Over the last ten game the Spurs are 6-4 with an average point differential of +4.3. A stretch that includes games against Boston, Oklahoma, Lakers, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Orlando.

    In the last ten games the Lakers (against weaker competition) have gone 7-3 with an average point differential of +.7.

    In March the Spurs have gone 12-5 with an average point differential of +7.9.

    In March the Lakers have gone 9-6 with an average point differntial of +.8.

    So it looks like recently the Spurs are playing better and they’re doing it against tougher competition. I’m not saying that the Spurs are going to beat the Lakers if they play them in the first round, but calling their chances “fantasy” makes it seem like you haven’t been paying much attention to the Lakers lately.

  • Jim Henderson

    Guys, this is what I said:

    ” ………. to hold on to the idea of the Spurs beating LA in a 7-game series this year as a realistic possibility is pure fantasy.”

    If you notice, I didn’t say beating LA in a series was a fantasy; I said considering it as a “realistic” possibility is a fantasy. There is a difference, and I do maintain that it is not realistic to believe that the Spurs could beat LA in a series this year. Not “impossible”, but not realistic, and to consider it as such is fanciful thinking, in my view.

    bduran
    April 1st, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    No, I’m aware of LA’s struggles recently, and you point it out in some of your data. It is true that a team is more vulnerable to a playoff upset when they limp into the playoffs. I will be monitoring that situation over LA’s next 3-4 games. If LA continues to struggle for much longer, I will adjust my odds of a Spurs upset accordingly, should we in fact meet in round one.

    That said, LA still has the 2nd best record in the NBA, they have the best closer in the game, their front line overpowers ours, they will have home court advantage, they’re the defending NBA champions, and they have a stronger team this year (Bynum in the playoffs this year, and Artest’s defensive prowess is why we lost to them in a recent contest).

  • junierizzle

    @ Jim Henderson

    Yeah ARTEST was really all over the wide open missed shots. ANd that steal he got on MANU was on a double team and he held Manu’s arm. And MANU still got his.

    And The LAKERS haven’t been good on the ROAD this year. All you have to do is win one in STAPLES CENTER. Something that the ROCKETS and NUGGETS proved can be done last year.
    Plus, all this talk about their length is questionable. They give up so many lay-ups it’s ridiculous. The only time GASOL gets a block is when players foolishly shoot right in front of him.

    They don’t have a stronger team this year. They have already suffered four more losses than last year.

  • junierizzle

    Well they are the 7th seed at least for a day. So everyone can relax.

  • Jim Henderson

    @ballhog

    “These games could be prepping the Spurs for things to come in the playoffs. Lot to be said of being battle tested at playoff time. They should definately be tested.”

    This is a valid point. However, let’s just hope that we don’t have ANY more games like the Nets game (under-performance, regardless of competition, for whatever reason), because we’re in a war for survival, and cannot take ANY opponent for granted in the heat of battle. We simply can’t give the opponent the impression that if we suffer a casualty we can be beat. As you know, battles can sometime be won by sheer will despite being at a disadvantage in weapons & manpower.

    Do we have the will to win a playoff battle? Our play without Parker suggests yes. Our play without Ginobli against the weakest of opponents suggests no. Our level of success on the battlefield ahead as we head into the playoffs will tell us whether we’re prepared to put up a good fight. We cannot afford to have any more NJ-type performances the rest of the way. Otherwise it tells our opponents that if they create just a little bit of adversity for us, or if we suffer a temporary casualty, we’ll simply blow away — and that, my friend, is a death-knell.

  • Jim Henderson

    “They don’t have a stronger team this year. They have already suffered four more losses than last year.”

    Well, for one thing, the West is deeper in talent this year. In other words, the top ten teams below the Lakers have many more wins in aggregate than they did last year. OKC, Jazz, Mavs, Griz, & the SUNS are much better (even the Clippers!).

    That said, the Laker regular season has been less stellar than expected, especially the second half. I expect them to ramp it up shortly, but time will tell.

  • http://www.48minutesofhell.com Timothy Varner

    Miguel,

    We didn’t. 48MoH will be back in full force, podcast and all, next week.

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