|
|
|
|
|
|
Denver Nuggets 90, San Antonio Spurs 87
San Antonio, TX Mar. 12 / Brett Dvorak --
No Duncan. No Ginobili. No offense. No win. San Antonio collapses, going the final 3:29 without a point. Denver wins their
eighth straight game by scoring the final ten points of the game, and stealing one from the Spurs 90-87.
The Spurs final possession was a microcosm of the Spurs collapse. Trailing by three points with 17.3 seconds to play, Tony
Parker practically dribbled out the clock before hoisting a twenty-six foot three pointer that clanged off the rim. Three
times in the fourth quarter San Antonio was forced to jack up a shot with the shot clock running down.
"That last possession was meant to go to Robert Horry to catch and find Brent Barry for three," Parker said. "It was just a
bad play. There was only one option, so when that was dead, I had to do something with the ball."
Nuggets coach George Karl talked about his team's defense down the stretch; "I told my guys that they couldn't let the Spurs
score any more baskets if they hoped to get out of this one with a win. Yes there was no Duncan out there, but I don't care
what you say, this is a big win."
Add that to Denver’s dominance from the free throw line and it’s easy to see how this one got away. Denver made twelve of
fourteen free throws in the fourth quarter (26 of 36 for the game), while the Spurs attempted just twenty-one all night,
making sixteen. Carmelo Anthony was particularly effective tonight. Going against Devin Brown and Bruce Bowen, Anthony was
able to post up in the lane and get numerous chances at the charity stripe. Anthony made all six of his free throws in the
fourth, and twelve of thirteen for the game. His free throws offset a four of seventeen shooting effort.
"I was missing shots around the rim," Anthony said. "So I tried to find open looks, get free in the open court, draw some
fouls and get some rebounds," Anthony said.
The Spurs had their chances though. After misses by Parker and Robert Horry, the Spurs found themselves down one with just
over a half minute to play, but Brent Barry and Brown were not on the same page. Barry penetrated and kicked to where Brown
was supposed to be, but Brown had moved to the top of the key, watching helplessly as the ball sailed out of bounds.
When Brown connected on his second three pointer of the fourth quarter it sure seemed as if the Spurs would pull this one
out. Brown’s three pointers sandwiched a Beno Udrih three pointer and gave the Spurs a 79-70 lead with 9:18 to play, but
the Nuggets refused to go away. Back to back jumpers by reserve, and San Antonio high school star, Eduardo Najera began the
Denver comeback, and handed the Spurs their third home loss of the year.
Playing their second straight game without All-Stars Duncan and Ginobili, the Spurs were a one-man offense early on. Parker
took the scoring load onto his narrow shoulders, blistering the nets for thirteen first quarter points, but the Nuggets kept
the early lead (20-15) thanks to the resurgent Anthony’s seven points.
San Antonio managed to even the score at twenty-five at the end of the quarter thanks to the inspired play of Nazr Mohammed,
who in four minutes scored four points and grabbed three rebounds. Despite the tied score, the Spurs were dominating the
glass (16-10).
Not a great shooting team, the Nuggets started the second quarter cold, missing eight of their first nine shots. The Spurs
defense was active; forcing Denver into rushed shots and bad passes. This allowed the Spurs break to pick up steam and
ignite a 10-1 run giving the home team a 37-30 lead.
After scoring six points in the first quarter, Kenyon Martin added seven more points in the second. Martin brought the
Nuggets back to within three points, but a driving Martin sparked a Spurs rally. Martin, one of the league’s most physical
players went hard to the basket and received a favorable foul call and shoved Rasho Nesterovic on his follow through.
Nesterovic was visibly upset and received a technical foul for his troubles, but San Antonio was energized.
The Spurs lead jumped to as many as nine points (43-34) before ending the half with a 50-46 lead. Parker was spectacular,
scoring 19 points in the half, but it was the man filling in for Duncan that provided the inside presence. Veteran big man
Tony Massenburg may have played his best half of the season for the Spurs, scoring eight points (4 of 6 shooting) and
grabbing seven rebounds.
The second half started ominously for the Spurs as Barry, who was filling in for the injured Ginobili, picked up his fourth
foul with 9:27 left. Without the play making Barry, the offense stagnated and shots were forced trying to beat the shot
clock.
Martin got the ball deep in the low post and scored easily, netting six quick points, and the game was tied at sixty. Denver
shot 57% in the quarter and the score was sixty-eight apiece heading to the final quarter.
Brown, playing big minutes thanks to the injuries, scored seven points in the third and six more in the fourth as the Spurs
took the lead, but this night belonged to the Nuggets.
Parker led all scorers with 25 points, but had just two in the fourth quarter when the Spurs really needed him most.
Massenburg finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Brown chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Mohammed played his best
game as a Spur, scoring seven points while grabbing a team high nine rebounds.
A dejected Parker still couldn't believe they lost; "Up seven with 3 minutes to go and you can't score a basket? We should
have won that game."
Martin led the Nuggets with 23 points while Anthony added 21 points for Denver, who is battling the Lakers and the
Timberwolves for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, knowing his two best players were out, was pleased with the efforts; It was a great effort by
everyone. The guys played well enough to win the basketball game. I was proud of the effort and hustle all night."
| |
|
|
|
|
|
