McDyess Tips Spurs to Victory
"I was in the right place at the right time, and it bounced right to me."
Those were the words by San Antonio Spurs veteran forward Antonio McDyess, following the Spurs' 89-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.
With 2.1 seconds left in the ball game, Tim Duncan shot a 16-foot fade away-jump shot over Lakers (34-16) forward Pau Gasol. The ball hit the rim once and bounced upward, immediately Antonio McDyess tipped the ball in the basket with 0.1 seconds left to win the game.
After having one of his worst games of the season in Portland on Tuesday night (6 points on 3-11 shooting), Spurs guard Tony Parker bounced back to lead the team in Los Angeles with 21 points.
Lakers forward Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 19 points and 7 rebounds. He also made the last two Lakers' points by sinking two crunch-time free throws.
The game began with both teams exchanging baskets early. Spurs' forward Richard Jefferson scored 10 points (2-3 from behind the arc) in the first quarter and guard Gary Neal closed the quarter with a buzzer beating shot. The Spurs led 22-18 after the first.
The Lakers found a sufficient rhythm in the second quarter as they went on a 6-0 run and built a 7-point lead (40-33). With back-to-back buckets from Tony Parker and an “and-1” running layup from Manu Ginobili; the Spurs were able to tie the Lakers at halftime 42-42, ending the quarter on a 9-2 run.
Hit the jump to see how it all went down in the second-half between the Spurs and Lakers.
Tony Parker went wild in the third quarter as he scored 14 of his 21 points in the quarter.
After the Spurs lead got as high as 8, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (16 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds) and forward Paul Gasol, brought the Lakers within 3 points to end the quarter as Los Angeles trailed 66-63.
The Spurs held the lead up until the final minute of the fourth quarter until the Lakers stormed back and Pau Gasol went to the line to sink two free throws and give Los Angeles the 88-87 lead but the Spurs had two opportunities to win the game.
First, Manu Ginobili (14 points, 8 assists) had a wide-open three pointer that he missed. The Spurs grabbed the rebound and then Tony Parker drove into the lane with a point-blank teardrop that clanked off the rim.
The Spurs had one last try, Tim Duncan took his shot, he missed, but Antonio McDyess was able to tip the ball in for the 89-88 victory.
After, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gave his take on the battle fought Western Conference game:
"We shot the last shot. If there had been one more shot, maybe they'd have won."
With the victory, the Spurs improved to 41-8 on the season and increased separation from the Lakers (stretched lead over Los Angeles to 8.5 games).
The Spurs continue their Rodeo Road Trip as they head to the Arco Arena against the Sacramento Kings (12-34) tonight.
Notes
- The common knock on the Spurs this season has been their lack of size on the front line. The Lakers further fueled the criticism toward the Spurs by outrebounding the Spurs 44-38.
- Richard Jefferson continues to increase his production for the Spurs as evident tonight. Jefferson scored 18 points while shooting 4-8 (50%) from behind the arc.
- Lamar Odom continued his consistent production for the Lakers with 16 points and 6 rebounds.
Spurs guard Gary Neal is still trying to break out of his slump, he scored 6 points tonight on 3-5 shooting.
| Follow Paul on Twitter: @24writer |
always outstanding to beat LA!!! truthfully, we kinda got lucky. the game never should've been that close. i'm just very happy for old man Dice, but how about the shot from Gary Neal!! GO SPURS GO!!!!
This was one of those "This game could open many questions for the future with a win or loss." With the win: It gave the Spurs the confidence to know their team can defeat LA at home and weather a storm when LA is playing well. With a loss: It would have made the Spurs question if their lack of height is a real problem. Great win!
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No complaints here we beat the defending champs! @AmyfromLA I also screamed out loud after that great tip-in by Dice! :D
@24writer @SpursFanHenry i feel like the lakers might be too proud to really question themselves. maybe it's a myth, but it seems like they feel like they can just turn it on. =\ i prefer pounding the rock. =)
@SpursFanHenry @AmyfromLA A win over the champs builds confidence for the playoffs and makes the Lakers question: "What is it going to beat them?"
My professor actually let us out early partially because he wanted to go home to watch the game! =P
Extremely happy for the win!!! When Manu & Tp missed their shots, I started feeling sick. Haha. Then Timmy missed the fadeaway and my heart sank. all of a sudden, I see Dice in the picture. HE TIPPED IT IN!!!! I SCREAM!!!! I may have woken up a few people in the house. Haha. Just glad we got the win! On to SacTown! =)
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@AmyfromLA I let out a ton of emotions during this game! It was a roller coaster that entire last minute!
No one is talking about the defensive work Ginobili did on Kobe Bryant. As good a job as I have seen on him all year. Made him change several shots.
@Billyj48 Great comment! You're right, Manu did hold Kobe to 5-18 shooting. But Kobe was able to get his team invloved (10 assists) and that's what happens when Kobe shares and scores: The Lakers are a toss up to beat when he does both. Last time in SA, Kobe took +20 shots, that's why the Spurs won by 15, nobody else on the Lakers got involved. Last night, when Kobe passes, Gasol had 19 and Odom provided 16. In the playoffs, the Spurs need to get kobe to just Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! No passing.
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