El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 124, Portland Trail Blazers 89

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Portland Trail Blazers 89 Final
Recap | Box Score		 124 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, C 26 MIN | 8-13 FG | 2-4 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 18 PTS | +20

Set the tone pretty early for the Spurs and anchored the defense. Can’t ask for too much more with as big a blowout as this turned into.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 19 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 2 PTS | +17

On a play late in the fourth quarter, Luke Babbitt tried to rip through and go by Leonard. Babbitt brought the ball as low as he could and Leonard barely had to bend over to strip it.
Boris Diaw, PF 25 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 6 AST | 6 PTS | +21

I really like what Boris does for the Spurs offensively. He’s the best distributing big on the team, which is saying something, and he’s pretty good defensively. I’m very intrigued to see what he does in the playoffs.
Tony Parker, PG 22 MIN | 6-11 FG | 1-2 FT | 7 REB | 6 AST | 13 PTS | +25

13 points on 11 shots isn’t the most efficient he’s been, but he got knocked around a lot and rarely saw the free throw line. Gotta hope he’s careful on Wednesday and Thursday.
Daniel Green, G 15 MIN | 6-6 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 18 PTS | +12

Came out blasting to start the game and knocked down all of his treys, including one that wasn’t counted because of an illegal screen by Kawhi Leonard. As bad as his shooting was for a stretch earlier in the season, he could be peaking at the right time… Like a number of guys on this team.
Stephen Jackson, SG 23 MIN | 6-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 12 PTS | +13

Decent shooting night, played the passing lanes, has the attitude. Gotta love Jack.
Matt Bonner, PF 18 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 3 PTS | +13

Didn’t play well defensively, his reactions can be far too slow for the NBA level at times, but at least he knocked down his open 3 off a beautiful pass from DeJuan Blair.
Manu Ginobili, SG 17 MIN | 2-5 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 6 PTS | +13

Empty stat line, but the Spurs didn’t really need it with how large the margin was and how well Danny Green was playing. Makes the second unit go, though.
Gary Neal, PG 20 MIN | 3-8 FG | 3-3 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 12 PTS | +7

Like Green, Neal’s shooting could be rounding into form at the right time. I’ll be interested to see if Neal doesn’t risk losing minutes to Patty Mills in the playoffs because Gary’s not a natural point. As long as he’s hand-cuffed to Manu, though, I don’t think it’ll be a problem.
Tiago Splitter, C 9 MIN | 2-2 FG | 4-6 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | +3

Didn’t play in the second half, partly because the score was so out of hand by the time his normal rotation rolled around in the third quarter. Also because Pop wanted to get Duncan his minutes in the third and sit Duncan out the fourth. Should see a significant increase on Wednesday and Thursday.
DeJuan Blair, F 13 MIN | 3-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 6 PTS | +12

Blair looked like he was out of both rhythm and confidence when he made his first appearance of the game at the very end of the third quarter. He recovered to play fairly nice fourth quarter including the previously mentioned beautiful pass to Bonner.
James Anderson, SG 21 MIN | 4-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 11 PTS | +10

James Anderson led the team in turnovers tonight. Like Blair, he looked like he was missing his edge during his time on the floor, but he shot well.

Patrick Mills, PG 12 MIN | 3-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 9 PTS | +9

Patty Mills hasn’t met a shot he didn’t like or couldn’t turn into a fadeaway. But if this guy is your 11th or 12th man, well, you’ve got depth.

Five Things We Saw

  1. Assuming he plays 20-25 minutes a game in the playoffs, how many triple-doubles will Boris Diaw rack up? Considering the Spurs’ prospects, I’m going to set the over/under at 1.5. Feel free to place your bets in the comments.
  2. Tim Duncan started the Pop for Coach of the Year campaign tonight after the game, assuming the voting hasn’t already concluded. Duncan raved about the job Pop has done managing minutes while the team is still able to secure the #1 seed in the West.
  3. Speaking of the #1 seed in the West, it’s now property of the San Antonio Spurs thanks to tonight’s win and the tie-breakers San Antonio owns over Oklahoma City. Considering how last season ended, how can you not be surprised that this happened?
  4. There was some discussion between media types immediately after the game as to whether or not the Spurs should worry about not having to play a close game heading into the playoffs. Considering their execution in this stretch, I’m of the opinion that the Spurs are a veteran team that has enough reps in close games. The bigger thing for them is having rhythm in their execution. And not getting injured.
  5. Gary Neal left the game in the second half after getting knocked down. Coach Pop said after the game that the preliminary report is a stinger and he should be alright. We’ll see what the report is tomorrow. X-rays were negative.
  • Jason

    It’s la conclusión, just fyi :)

  • Matthew

    Just another blowout; we need to get ready for the playoffs now.

  • Hobson13

    It appears we will be playing either Utah or Phoenix in the first round. Tomorrow night’s Utah vs Phoenix game should decide the matchup. If Utah wins, they are in. Here’s where it gets interesting: If Phoenix wins (and they won in Utah earlier this year) then should the Spurs tank the next game (in Phoenix) in order to get them in the first round? Even if Pop sits the entire Big 3, it is still very possible the Spurs could get the W. Interesting scenario…

  • Titletown99030507d

    Andrew if Pop wanted Duncan to get some minutes in the 3rd and sit the fourth then why was he playing late in the fourth when he took that fall to the floor? He played 26 minutes in a 35 point blow out. Dangerous and stupid. That game was over in the second quarter. YAY Splitter played all of 9 minutes for the game the least from the entire roster. He must not need practice. REEEEDICULOUS!

  • http://facebook.com/ryan.mcshane Ryan McShane

    To pt. #3

    The PF/C rotation is a wash in comparison to last year (although Jackson and Leonard are an upgrade over Jefferson at the 4, and Splitter and Duncan are healthier), but the 1, 2, 3 rotation is completely revamped and upgraded.

    TP’s personal story thesis 2010-2011: divorced from Eva; publicly shamed
    TP’s personal story thesis 2011-2012: leads France to Olympic qualification, becomes “go-to” guy on the Spurs and gets “MVP chants”; publicly aggrandized

    At points last season, the Spurs were essentially playing three point guards (6’1″ TP, 6’2″ Hill, 6’4″ Neal) or a point and two combo guards. Now they’re playing TP and two small forwards (Kawhi Leonard 6’7″, Danny Green 6’6″, Stephen Jackson 6’8″). Oh, and Many doesn’t have a broken arm.

    The new offense-focused system was there last year, the wing size wasn’t. They won’t be outmatched by any wing defenders unless Gary Neal is out there with TP.

  • http://facebook.com/ryan.mcshane Ryan McShane

    @Hobson13

    YES to playing Phoenix to lose if Phoenix beats Utah - Utah will give the Spurs more bumps and bruises than I (and presumably they) would like.

  • Bob

    It’s funny you can tell who’s given the review by what they say about Bonner.

    It will be interesting to see if the Spurs can keep the offensive onslaught in the playoffs. I think the only teams that play defense good enough to slow them down in the West is probably the Grizzlies.

  • SpurredOn

    Play to win while wisely limiting minutes (or resting players) for the sake of helping our team, not trying to arrange a first round opponent. I hope PHX beats Utah. If our guys defeat the Suns one night later, it would force Utah to play their players needing a win in their finale, otherwise their players will be more rested than our guys.

  • CafeCalva

    @ Hobson13:
    if the Suns beat the Jazz, I’m all for the Spurs playing the Suns without their big 3. Not because I care about the oppenent, but because the Jazz got a win against the Spurs without their big 3, and this win could “decide” who does or doesn’t make it to the postseason. So if the Suns beat the Spurs without their big 3, they make it. If they don’t, well, gotta go to the lottery…
    I don’t think we should underline a single game out of a 66 game season, but the media will probably do it anyway.

  • Kev

    Like I said last night, great W to clinch the top seed. Bonner’s rotations were disgusting last night, and I wasn’t able to tell if it was because of his conditioning or the length and athleticism of Portland’s bigs (Can’t expect Bonner to defend J.J. Hickson all night). The ideal situation heading into the playoffs would be allowing the bench to come in and play some solid minutes with each other. The middle of the third got out of hand with turnovers and absolutely no ball movement, and that trend continued early into the fourth. I would much rather play Phoenix (we match up well with them), but Utah wouldn’t be too difficult either. My only concern is Gordon Hayward. He plays the both the 2 and 3 at 6’8″ 200+ lbs. If CJ Miles is playing the 2 extensively, we shouldn’t have difficult time with Hayward as Leonard will be able to use his length. But Hayward’s game has elevated during the season, and he too, is peaking at the right time.

  • Chicago Spur

    Rest the starters. Who cares about the outcomes. We have HCA through the west and the Bulls are the only team out of the east that can possibly have a better record.

    As we saw last season, bad things happen at the worst possible times. Let’s just get into the playoffs and start proving the haters wrong.

    In any case, GO SPURS GO! THIS YEAR IS OURS!

  • jechalker74

    I think that we will see pull the same as he did in Utah when the Spurs go to Phoenix.

    Afterall it is a mind game on two levels. The loss in Utah sent a message that even without our Big 3, Utah was going to have a to fight for a win. It also gives the bench players an edge as they know that they can run with the first unit in Utah.

    If Pop does this in Phoenix you now have made that point to either of your first round opponents.

    Oh yeah, and get ready for a 7 game series instead of the single game. From an opponents perspective there would not be much light at the end of that tunnel.

  • Michael

    IF
    If you can pound the rock with dogged determination
    and display great patience through the final strike

    If you can trust yourself when all media doubt you,
    but make allowance for their doubting, too

    If you can focus on team over individual,
    in this star-first, selfish world

    If you can meet Winning and Losing,
    and treat both outcomes with class

    If you can keep your head about you,
    as foes succumb to internal strife

    If you can be a champion’s champion,
    but maintain your virtue and humility

    If you can fill the unforgiving postseason
    with 16 victories of distance run

    Yours is Greatness and all that it means,
    and what is more, you’ll be a Spur, my son!

  • DorieStreet

    Think back 12 weeks ago: that Sunday night game in late January-the Mavs have a 15 point lead (61-46) with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Pop replaces the starters as the quarter winds down. At the 8-minute mark in the 4th, the reserves had forged ahead 75-71, then got up to a 7-point lead (89-82) with a minute left—all the while seeing the starters standing and waving towels, cheering them on.
    That overtime loss was the catalyst for this remarkable season. From a 12-9 record, the team wins 34 out of the next 41 games.
    Congratulations Spurs for earning the No.1 spot in the Western Conference. Let’s finish this business starting April 28th on through June!!!

  • Pingback: The rise of Danny Green | 48 Minutes of Hell()

  • David

    @Jason , they know, they use El to go with Ginobili’s nickname El Contusion

  • JSF

    I’ll take the under on Diaw.

  • Vermont Spurs Fan

    Andrew -

    8 wins in a row by double digits. Beat Portland by 35…the entire team gets an A, end of story. This is a team. I think we should be done with these individual scores, that is for teams that are looking for excuses. The Spurs love each other and they play as a single unit. Please no more individual grades. Also time to lay off of Matt Bonner. Seriously, you people have had your time to complain. Now just sit back and enjoy. It is not about you and what you would have done. This is not your journey. In the future your comments should be “Great Game tonight! Go Spurs Go.” Something like that or “How about that pass by Boris Diaw?!”

    Dorie Street has the right spirit…Great Comments every time. Same for Michael and JeChalker74, Nice stuff from Chicago Spur, Hobson, Ryan McShane, Spurred On and CafeCalva. That is the way to support the team.

    Hopefully this is the last El Conclusion. It is the last that I will read. I watched the game and what I saw was beautiful. I don’t need you to tell me how you think the players performed. How about just one grade for the whole team and remind us of the great things that we saw. That is what we need here. Also more great articles like “The Rise of Danny Green.” “Or Tony Parker goes Super Nova” Positive stuff, interesting stuff that we might not know.

    To everyone, “trade in your cleverness for wonder” you will enjoy this remarkable season more.

  • Zach R.

    Andrew, what is your opinion on the chances of the Spurs signing Roy Hibbert this summer? With Timmy’s contract expiring, I would think that a new contract in the $9-12 million range would be acceptable, especially with Tim being the guy he is.. this would give us a good chunk of cap space to allow for someone of Hibbert’s caliber to sign with us, with Tim dropping down from the $21 mil/season he’s getting now. Roy worked out here in SA with Timmy during the lockout and I remember reading how the two have formed quite the friendship. I don’t know all the intricacies of the Spurs’ cap situation, but wouldn’t this be a possibility?

  • theghostofjh

    @Vermont Spurs Fan

    For me, being a fan is more than being a cheerleader for the team. Please don’t try to impose your idea of being a fan on others.

    @Andrew

    “Assuming he plays 20-25 minutes a game in the playoffs, how many triple-doubles will Boris Diaw rack up? Considering the Spurs’ prospects, I’m going to set the over/under at 1.5. Feel free to place your bets in the comments.”

    I assume you’re joking, right? Diaw will not get any triple doubles playing 20-25 mpg. However, since Pop has apparently decided that Blair is now a garbage collector, we all better hope that Diaw gets 30+ mpg., otherwise we will see too much of Bonner, and with it, our chances of winning the West.

  • NYC

    @ghost of Jim Henson

    Stop it with the Bonner hate already. Bonner has been less and less effective in the past few playoffs because Duncan has been less and less effective and commanding fewer and fewer double teams. But this year with the resurgence of Duncan and Parker, Bonner is going to be useful and used often in the playoffs. I’ve seen Bonner improve his overall game every season. He’s a good kid and a Spur. Do you have such disproportionate expectations and/or hatred for… I dunno… Luis Amundson? My point is Bonner is just one minor cog in this team and is never going to be responsible for the entire team winning or losing… just as you wouldn’t pin Phoenix’s performance in the playoffs to Amundson’s individual performance. He’s just one small cog in the machine. Why so much focus on one particular cog? Why don’t you hold Blair up to the same relentless scrutiny? I see plenty of flaws in Blair to pick at but you only seem to dwell on his potential.

    Bonner fills his role to the best of his ability. He always gives 100% effort. I don’t fault him for not being Robert Horry. He’s no Robert Horry and never was meant to be. As long as we have reasonable expectations of what we can get out of him, then he has done his job when he lives up to those limited expectations.

  • theghostofjh

    @NYC

    I don’t”hate” Bonner at all. I just know that we can’t get back to the finals with him playing a too much of a role. He’s been getting 18-20 mpg. over the last few playoffs, and has significantly under-performed. The margin between victory and the defeat at the highest level is often extremely small. Playing Bonner more than about 10-14 mpg, even if he’s playing okay, is too much in my view, and could be enough to create the difference between winning or losing a key game in a highly contested series. Disagree if you like, but I’m not being irrational or unfair in the least.