Tony Parker stepped up big against the Nuggets as he notched a season high in points and assists.
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The Grizzlies may have struggled early in the season but they are heading to the match against San Antonio on a four-game winning streak.
San Antonio (10-3) led just 86-80 in the final minute but got back-to-back running floaters from forward Tim Duncan and a 3-point dagger from Leonard with 16 seconds remaining and the shot clock ticking down to clinch their sixth win of the season at the AT&T Center. A finals prediction? Even a mention of him wanting more respect because of his indisputable skill set?
“I thought he was great”, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
With Aldridge being held in check, the return of Leonard and Ginobili from one-game absences proved critical.
Noah Vonleh’s first 3-pointer of the season pulled Portland within 81-78, but they were unable to get any closer.
In addition to Parker, the Spurs got 17 points from reserve guard Patty Mills, as their point guards outscored Denver’s duo of Emmanuel Mudiay and Jameer Nelson 42 to 12. Memphis has won and covered in two of its last three against the Spurs. On a few possessions, the Spurs’ big men may screen 2-3 times in a possession for Parker, so the guard defending Parker will often try to get into a stance to anticipate the screen. Barnes has made 10 of his last 18 shots following a frustrating start this season over the first 12 games. Marc Gasol had a decent 8 point, 8 rebound, and 6 assist game, but more encouragingly, looked engaged and (dare I say) pissed off down the stretch, which he converted into positive basketball energy… if not points. “I respect them and we believe the good days will add up”. “But I think we played a good game and Tony was key, especially in the first half, of course”.
Spurs: San Antonio players have missed a combined three games due to injury, with Ginobili sitting out twice. He added, “I don’t need to score as much, and I have to get LaMarcus (Aldridge) and Kawhi (Leonard going)”. For whatever reason, every time we play them, it’s a tough one.
Meanwhile, The bench embodies the 2013-14 Spurs, an uptempo team that moved the ball around the court at a dizzying pace and made a killing from three, all while playing nearly no isolation ball. Parker’s previous season high was 17 points November 4 at Washington.
A majority of Parker’s looks, whether layups or jumpers, happen off of screen action from the Spurs’ frontcourt players. Anderson was 3-for-5 shooting in scoring eight points. He showed his ability on defense, going after Aldridge on the block, sending away his shot on back-to-back point black attempts from the All-Star, but needs to add muscle and sheer mass to his rail thin frame.
The San Antonio Spurs played poorly, were not sharp and heard all about it during a fiery timeout.
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If you’ve watched the Spurs a significant amount of the past few years, you’ll understand why I believe Mills and Ginobili are pretty much a package deal here.
