Stats of the Game: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers
The San Antonio Spurs started their annual Rodeo Road Trip on the wrong foot, losing to a badly depleted Portland Trail Blazers team 99-86.
What are the numbers that stood out in this Spurs' recent loss? Let's find out!
87.5 - The Blazers shot very well from the foul line making 21-24 (87.5%) free throws. The Spurs shot a measly 8-15 (53.3%) of their free throw attempts.
44.4 - The Spurs shot fairly well from beyond the arc, making 8-18 (44.4%) of their 3-pointers, while the Blazers were only 2-13 (15.4%) from the 3-point area. Portland also won the inside game, outscoring the Spurs 44-38 on inside points.
40 - As if to sway coaches to vote for him as an All Star reserve, LaMarcus Aldridge scored a career high 40 points and added 11 boards helping the Blazers defeat the league leading Spurs.
37 - Both teams were even in the rebounding department finishing with 37 a piece.
21 - Wesley Matthews added 21 points for the Blazers and was picked for the sophomore squad.
17 - Manu Ginobili led the Spurs with 17 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.
15 - Tim Duncan added 15 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes for San Antonio.
14 - DeJuan Blair had 14 points and 12 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season, but had only one rebound after the half. He was also selected to join the sophomore squad.
10 - George Hill scored 10 points off the Spurs' bench. Richard Jefferson also had 10 points and three boards in 36 minutes of action.
0 - Duncan and Hill did not commit a single turnover for the entire game despite playing 30 minutes or more.
Rookie Watch: Gary Neal had three points and one rebound in 16 minutes of action and was selected to play for the rookie squad. James Anderson scored three points in only three minutes of playing time and Tiago Splitter had one point in two minutes.
What's Next? The Spurs will visit the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Thursday.
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Everyone, I understand the sentiments. I thought this should be a won game by the Spurs but can't keep up with the Blazers in the second half. Splitter can have been used a little more just to see how he can react to the situation but instead he was used when the game was already out of hand. I know he hasn't proven anything yet and it's partly because he hasn't earned the playing time. Maybe this will be a good learning experience for the Spurs and the coaches and try to give Tiago more burn to see what can bring to the table during game situations.
Thanks everyone for the comments and reads.
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The Blazers exposed the Spurs weak inside defense last night, Duncan can still play good 'D' but he will net a lot of help on that end especially in the playoffs.
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These are the times Splitter should be getting lots of burn even if it means loosing 1 or 2 games. They lost and still no Splitter in the meat and potatoes of the game. Pop quoted as saying in his mail bag " He has been behind the power curve the entire year but he continues to work and we're trying hard to find him minutes and hopefully he'll be more of a significant factor by the time playoffs come". Playoffs? You expect this poor guy to contribute like you want in the playoffs? Try playing him now! Uh can anyone tell me how you get in front of the curve by not playing? Really, investing all this time on Blair is a no no. They have a big man who can contribute right now if he's given starter rotation min. You just experienced what a tired and old looking Timmy and Dyess look like last nite. I thought you were managing min. on those two guys. They seem tired to me. I would hate to see Splitter on the bench come playoffs only to be sitting there and watching his Spurs team mates having a hard time in the paint while depending on their high powered offense to save them. Reeealllly Pop! Try really really hard to find him some min. I can tell you where you can find him min. When the game starts, and don't get him off the court until he drops. Then you might see him in front of the curve after 10 games or so. Oh my God! You have to be kidding me Pop! Playoffs? Splitter? Poor guy you've done him wrong. Trial by fire Pop.
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@Titletown99030507 I know I don't always agree with what you say, but this time against the Blazers coach Pop should have really tried to use Splitter over Blair. Blair had a great first half but it was clear that Blazers already adjusted on both ends to take away Blair using Tiago more in 2nd half could have changed the outcome of the game. Remember, it was 71 all after three quarters.
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Good three point shooting and great perimeter defense by the Spurs by they don't play well defending the interior. Tiago Splitter would have come in handy, it's a shame coach Pop did not give him enough minutes.
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I was so excited for Blair when he already had a double-double after two quarters only to see him "disappear" in the second half.
