San Antonio Spurs 92, Dallas Mavericks 89: George Hill and DeJuan Blair earn their playoff stripes
AT&T Center–A game after Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle benched each of his team’s new acquisitions in the second half, the San Antonio Spurs turned to theirs with the trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker struggling.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich’s faith was aptly rewarded.
Antonio McDyess hit open jumpers, scoring 10 points while holding Dirk Nowitzki (17 points) to just 10 shots. Richard Jefferson took turns defending Nowitzki, Butler and Kidd while attacking the rim aggressively. DeJuan Blair added rebounding and energy. And George Hill’s newfound jump shot and poise carried the team to an improbable victory.
After a slow start and rough nights from their All-Stars, each of the San Antonio Spurs offseason acquisitions made a profound mark in a pivotal 29-11 third quarter to pull the Spurs out of a double  digit hole.
“If you look at just the numbers of (Duncan, Ginobili and Hill), you would definitely think we lost the game,” San Antonio Spurs forward Antonio McDyess said. “But that just means the rest of us have to step up.
“It was unbelievable how we came out in that second half and jumped on them and got this win.”
Celebrating his 34th birthday, Tim Duncan was not so fortunate as to have a night off, but rather an off night. Having dominated his one-on-one matchups in the first three games, the San Antonio Spurs big man shot 1-for-9 from the field and scored only four points.
The other members of the Spurs’ big three did not find things any easier, with Tony Parker scoring just 10 points and five turnovers and Manu Ginobili, playing with a broken nose, scoring 17 points but on 4-of-16 shooting from the field.
It was yet another odd victory, coming on the heels of a win where the San Antonio Spurs previously failed to make a three-pointer.
“I don’t know how improbable it is, you win or lose in different ways. Each game has its own characteristics and personality,” Popovich said. “We did make some three’s tonight and George Hill was something else.”
George Hill has been something else the entire season but has just now been able to put it all together in the NBA Playoffs.
The second year guard who got his first significant taste of playoff action on the wrong end of an elimination game last season now finds himself on the other side heading into Game 5 thanks to his 29-point performance.
Hill scored in a variety of ways, repeatedly driving past Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, stepping behind screens for pull-up jump shots and, of course, nailing corner threes–all while playing stout defense on Kidd (10 points, 3-of-10 shooting).
“It’s confidence, last year prepared me for this year,” Hill said. “I was a very tough student last year, I was kind of disappointed we lost in the first round but it’s a learning thing and everything prepared me for this year.”
Learning on the fly this year, rookie DeJuan Blair found his comfort zone in a game that, as far as characteristics and personality go, was as physical and heated as any Popovich could remember in this longstanding rivalry.
With the physicality escalating, DeJuan Blair entered the game for Tim Duncan in the third quarter and matched blow for blow with each of the Mavericks big men, scoring seven points and seven rebounds while providing his own brand of chaos.
Getting tangled up with Dirk Nowitzki while jockeying for position on a free throw, it was the rookie who was able to maintain his composure while Nowitzki was hit with a technical for retaliating.
“It was just Dirk being Dirk, me being me, so that’s not good,” Blair joked. “It’s a heated series and in the heat of the moment that’s how it goes.”
The moment marked a weird turn of events that saw the technical, three flagrant fouls, and an ejection, all of which fueled the San Antonio Spurs who maintained the composure that was the hallmark of their championship seasons.
Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki finds himself in the same place the San Antonio Spurs were last season–a single star searching for help from any of his teammates.
“You have to give Hill credit; he was unconscious from the 3-point line. McDyess made shots, Blair came in and had a big contribution. Richard Jefferson made some shots and big plays,” Nowitzki said. “The Spurs role players stepped up and had a good game.”
If the Dallas Mavericks cannot find the same from their acquisitions, they too will know how it feels to be on the wrong end of a 4-1 series loss.
@BigWhit
I thought he punched it too until they showed the replay. He just used his crazy strong hands and got a finger on it, throwing it out into center court.
@Dr. Who
In regards to TD’s game – I think what you stated was half his problem. The other half though was that he caught the ball a step of two farther out than he would have liked.
I noticed that when he posted up on the block, he consistently received the ball 3-4 feet outside of the paint. Normally TD catches the ball with almost one foot in the paint. Even when he wanted it on the permeter, it seemed he caught it a step or two outside his comfort zone.
The reason? Most likely, what you were referring to – tired legs. It takes a ton of strength and stamina to hold your position down low with a guy like Dampier or Haywood pushing on you.
Let’s hope the two days rest helps Tim’s legs. And if we can close the series out in game 5, even better. And as well as Manu, TP, George, Blair and RJ can play, let’s not kid ourselves and think we can win a ring without TD playing at a really high level. It still all begins and ends with the big guy.
Lets not get ahead of ourself both of our home wins were close it could have went either way. Dallas still may have a little fight left in them we need to stay focused and play with the same level intensity in Dallas…which I really see them doing b/c this team gives me the feeling of those ’03 and ’05 teams where we got it done on the road in the playoffs….Spurs in 5 (hopefully)
@JIMJIM
Master technician and motivator….
Here you go Jim….I know you consider Pop to be a great coach. Many feel the same way. I felt that way from the time he got here until about a month into this season.
When has Pop ever allowed players to log minutes when they are loafing, not hustling, missing defensive assignments, and generally stinking up the floor?
In the past, Pop would yank a player for that type of nonsense and might not let him play again for 5 games straight. I remember that Pop….
This year….Not so much. I still think he sucked royally almost the entire season. I still cant believe we won 50 games.
However, I finally reach out with a little admiration for Pop due to a job well done in game 4, and you blugeon me with vintage JImJIm and immediately smack the crown back onto Pops’ dome.
I give up JIMJIM….Pop Is the greateset of all time.
Tyler I agree I can’t wait to see how Tim responds in Dallas (hope it was a fluke and not tired legs already) b/c without him we won’t win the west.
BALLHOG
April 26th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
If the ultimate goal is to win a championship, Pop’s rotations, etc. are simply not that important during the regular season, other than to test the NEW pieces of the puzzle (several this year), get your main guys rest, and try to win as many games as you can while trying hard to get that last piece of the puzzle in place before the playoffs.
My point is, in the final analysis, isn’t it most important that the team is playing its best, playoff-type basketball by the time the playoffs start? Doesn’t it appear that Pop has done that, up 3-1 against the two seed that many so-called experts thought would beat us in this series? Has Pop not had his stamp on these playoffs so far?
Granted, we haven’t won this series yet, but it sure is looking good for Pop again. Is it not?
In my view, a good part of the reason that you’re a bit more content with Pop’s use of players/minutes in game four is number one, because we’ve won three in a row, and number two, the rotation is always going to be tighter in the playoffs, so we’re just not going to see guys like Bogans & Mason nearly as much, and even Bonner probably won’t have as much of a role because he’s a “situational” role player. And the fact is, those “situations” are going to have a narrower definition in the playoffs.
Also, match-ups take on even more of a premium in the playoffs. So for example, I’d be surprised if Bonner didn’t get more consistent burn against the Suns (unless he stays cold from three – maybe not). He’s simply a better match-up against the Suns as opposed to the Mavs.
And finally, nobody has ever said that Pop is perfect. Certainly not me. He makes mistakes, as we all do. But he could end up smelling like a rose (again) after a regular season filled with more than its usual share of frustration. Time will tell, but if he can get this team to give a good showing in the WCF’s, in the final analysis, that’s a good job by Pop again. Don’t you agree?
@BigWhit, the Mavs run didn’t really start when Manu went out in the 4th. In fact, the Spurs scored 7 straight after he sat down. The Mavs then started the run, narrowing the Spurs lead from 13 to 9 while Manu was still on the bench and all the way to 2 after he came back in.
If TD is the heart of the team Ginobili represents its
soul. Best defense the Spurs have played all year! Took me back to the championship years!
@ Jim
Never could I argue with a solid post, even if I didnt agree with it.
That, my friend, was a solid post. As for Pop, his rotations and personnel decisions did frustrate me all season. Also, for whatever reason Bogans is on the bench, Im truly thankful. He would have killed this team. Bonner hasnt been that bad over the past month. I agree that he will match up much better in Phoenix. But in this series, he should simply cheer.
As for game 4, Blair should get consistent minutes each game. I was glad to see him having a good enough run to stay on the floor. He is more critical in all of this than most think.
Also, keeping Mcdyess in the game late was a welcome site. Bonner in the game against Dirk in the 4th quarter is the kind of thing tht causes one to lose sleep.
But Jim, lets be real here. A veteran coach taking an entire season to solidify rotations, having players asking to be released mid season, and depleting our frontcourt, had to make you wonder too. Come on Jim….I know that you support Pop, but real is real.
It was eerie……kind of like the feeling the Mavs surely had on the flight back to Dallas.
BALLHOG
April 26th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I was concerned about some of the moves Pop was making, but I was actually more disappointed with the players. Particularly RJ, who unlike Dice, didn’t have to save himself for the playoffs. His inexplicably poor & inconsistent play was at the heart of our rotation problems early on. A veteran player takes that long to learn the Spurs system? I don’t think so. And I don’t buy that Pop was trying to make RJ into a spot-up shooter. Not for one minute.
The bottom line is that Pop was dealing with issues that neither you nor I were privy to, so it’s hard for me to be too hard on the coach without the benefit of some inside information. And while I called him out on waiting too long to give Hairston a shot in the rotation instead of Bogans, generally speaking I think Pop deserves the benefit of the doubt on the great majority of his personnel decisions. And I don’t hold him responsible for the people we lost. In the final analysis, we’re probably better off without them. After all, only five players can play on the court at one time. Those missing players probably wouldn’t have helped any.
By the way, I love Blair, and hope he can play as much as possible. Remember though, Blair is just 20 years old, and has never played more that 35 games a year, at the college level, no less, and can also be a defensive liability. Pop has to pace him, and make sure he’s ready. That said, I think Blair made a good case for himself in game four. And Pop saw that. It will not fall on deaf ears. And Dice, sure, I’d rather have him on Dirk the whole game, but he is 36 years old, and Dirk requires a lot of physical & mental energy to guard. Pop has to be careful not to burn Dice out, as TD may have been in game four after logging heavy minutes in the first three games.
I have to say, I don’t consider this series over in the least. The Mavs are not going to go away easy. I hope we’re ready with HIGH defensive intensity in big “D” tomorrow. Winning in five would be by far the best option moving forward. We need that rest!
@ Jim Henderson,
Small clarification, like Duncan who had a birthday on Sunday and turned 34, Blair had a birthday on Thursday and turned 21.
Finley wanted to leave. Pop and RC gave him his wish. Theo was a headache for Pop. Pop and RC released him. Mason wasn’t getting any burn, asked to be traded. Pop and RC couldn’t get anything done. RC and Pop are the real superstars behind the scenes. I have complete faith in these guys. Win or lose.
It’s interesting Dirk said that our bigs were altering their shots. “”Then on the weak side, they’re running at our shooters, we’re having trouble shooting over their length. We’re getting deep into shot clocks, and we’re taking some shots we don’t like. We’d like to make a little quicker decisions.” All the talk about us not having bigs.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/042710dnspomavslede.3c548c0.html
Man I hope we take the Mavericks out in 5. I just can’t stand the drama. All of the analysts were prognosticating that the Mavericks were our worst match up. So if we can get past them, it looks like the Finals.
I was so elated that we won 50 games this year, everything else has been gravy.
Go Spurs Go!
@ Jim Henderson,
Small clarification, like Duncan who had a birthday on Sunday and turned 34, Blair had a birthday on Thursday and turned 21.
Miggy, how was Theo a headache for Pop? I never heard anything about Theo all year until he was traded.
By the way, McDyess was like old man winter tonight. He was an active, in your face, mother f _ _ _ _ _ that didn’t give a shit if he was literally harassing his opponent to death. Dirk, only ten shot attempts? Are you kidding me! Hey Dice, way to give it your all, old man!
@jim henderson, agreed 200% with : “He was an active, in your face, mother f _ _ _ _ _ that didn’t give a shit if he was literally harassing his opponent to death”
@BALLHOG
You may be right there were games Pop messed everything but somehow he managed the teams and knew what and how to do!! PROOF 3-1 and G5 to take and suddenly all eyes on US!!
Jim henderson : Isnt it funny that Blair is our second leading rebounder during our season yet POP fails to play him more than Mason? Whose deaf ears did his play fall on?
First of all, Mason & Blair play different positions. Dice got more minutes because he is right behind Blair in rebounding, plus he’s a better shooter & defender. Bonner (and Mason) got some minutes (over Blair) because Pop felt we’re a little short in outside shooting compared to rebounding. Unfortunately RJM, a career 38% shooter behind the arc, “inexplicably” could never get his shot back this year. Thus, I was not happy with Pops minutes for RMJ’s (& Bogans) since the all-star break, over someone like Hairston, or even Temple, later on. However, I have been OK with how Pop has used Blair in combination with TD, Dice, & Bonner. If the Spurs can pick up another solid three-point shooter in the off-season, it will make it even easier to get Blair more minutes, because we could afford to play Bonner less. Also, they need to work it so TD & Blair can play better TOGETHER, whether it’s Blair making solid strides in developing his mid-range jumper, or TD being outside the low-block more when Blair’s in the game.
That said, I am anxious to see more of Blair, in due time, because I think he has special potential as a PF, even with his height disability. I think he can substantially overcome this very real handicap with a lot of hard work over the next couple of years. And that is an exciting prospect indeed (for example, TD, Hill, and BLAIR are my only “untradeable” Spurs).
I know you’ll invariably be compelled to take a stab at poking holes in this entirely valid explanation. And that’s fine, I’ve come to expect it from you. But just try to keep it civil, and respectful.
@duaneofly – Insider info. But it makes sense. He never got any burn and Pop let him go and kept Ian on the bench.
Christopher
April 27th, 2010 at 6:40 am
“@ Jim Henderson,
Small clarification, like Duncan who had a birthday on Sunday and turned 34, Blair had a birthday on Thursday and turned 21.”
Thanks, but lvmainman
April 26th, 2010 at 9:07 pm, made the EXACT (strange?) same post the night before you. Plus, it’s not really relevant. The point I was making is not altered in the least, that is, that Blair is YOUNG & inexperienced in the league, and this factor is correctly taken into account when doling out playing time by the coach.