Los Angeles Clippers 90, San Antonio Spurs 85: Where the shots weren’t the only things off target

by

Say it with me folks: there are no back-to-backs in the playoffs. There are no back-to-backs in the playoffs. There are no back-to-backs in the playoffs.

Ultimately, a 20-2 run over most of the second quarter and the beginning of the third quarter doomed the San Antonio Spurs in their 90-85 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. During that stretch, the Spurs missed 15 straight shots.

While it’s a little embarrassing for the team with the NBA’s best record to lose to the club with the worst, it can be forgiven. The Spurs looked dead-tired from the start of this ballgame.

And when an older team is tired on the end half of a back-to-back, and the team they’re playing’s oldest starter is 22 years old, well, stuff happens.

And it wasn’t just the missed shots for San Antonio. Hitting the front of the rim is a tell-tale shot of tired legs. Those were a huge part of it, but the misses were more the end result of other tired plays. San Antonio’s passing was just as bad.

Where a typical, full-strength pass will land right in the “shot pocket” and make it easy for Matt Bonner or George Hill or some other Spur to simply catch-and-sh0ot, San Antonio’s passes against the Clippers arrived at the knees or the feet or off to the side.

Not exactly conducive to shooting in rhythm. And in many instances San Antonio was unable to even get a shot off. Timing is of the essence in the NBA, even against the Clippers.

On one play in the fourth quarter, Manu Ginobili drove and kicked the ball out to Matt Bonner in the corner. But Manu’s pass was low and while Bonner would have had time for an open 3-pointer if the pass was on target, this time Bonner caught the ball around his shins.

Bonner caught the ball and made an up-fake, because by the time he brought the ball above his waist, a Clipper defender had rotated over to cover.

Oh, and Blake Griffin is a beast.

But it’s just one game. The Spurs lost, but they still own the NBA’s best record and 11 of their remaining 14 games this month are at home. It’s time for San Antonio to get a little rest for their legs and breathing room for the standings.

←  Older Comments
 →
  • Daniel T

    Dr. Who:

    You’re pulling a quote out of context. That had a condition to it that wasn’t met, so there was no hero.

    A number of people have commented that since the Spurs lost, Pop should have played someone else. Bonner hardly stopped Griffin, but Griffin at least was scoring at a much slower rate per minute while Bonner was in the game vs. when Blair was.

  • SPURZ ALL DAY

    Sorry coach pop, but you and your staff did not bring your A game like usual.

    Splitter should of played more.

  • SPURZ ALL DAY

    And you should of kept fouling DeAndre Joran, I dont understand why you fouled him just ONCE around 2 or 3 minutes left. You should of kept fouling him. or fouled him earlier in the quarter.

  • zainn

    @ spurzz all day
    vinny del negro took deandre jordan out right after we started fouling him, otherwise i’m sure pop would’ve kept hack-a-jordan on for the rest of the game. smart move negro.

  • Dr. Who

    @Daniel T

    Holy hell!!!! Apologies… How could I have missed that? I guess it was late. Totally see your point now after reading the entire message. Makes sense… I don’t agree with the summary of the stats though. Seems like we watched different games. Bonner didn’t only gaurd Griffin, he (Girffin) did get some rest during pretty large spells. Girffin is a friggin’ beast and none of our bigs would have stopped him per se. Defense is not Bonner’s forte'; would have liked to see someone else get his minutes when the shots weren’t falling. I see your point, if his shots fell then all would be well. No need to get defend your side at this point, you have your view and I’ve got mine. Looks like there are supporters of both sides on the board as well. That’s what’s great about this site. Another poor showing by Tiago and Bonner tonight. Hope Bonner finds his stroke and Tiago finds the team. Only 8 min. so it’s not that easy to do. We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Pingback: Positives And Negatives Galore | Spurs Planet()

←  Older Comments
 →