Spurs vs. Magic: Post-Game Grades and Reactions
The San Antonio Spurs just keep on rolling.
They are now winners of 11 straight games after their victory against the Orlando Magic, snapping their four game winning streak.
Ginobili was the high man with 25 points 6 rebounds and 9 assists. The Magic came into this game allowing a league low 90 points per contest. However, it was the Spurs who came up with the key defensive stops in the fourth quarter as they made their way to a 106-97 home win.
Post Game Comments
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Positives:
- Parker and Ginobili started the game aggressive; both of them attacked the basket which led to open shots.
- Popovich made the correct move by staying with the hot hand of Matt Bonner; Blair was ineffective against the size of the Orlando frontcourt.
- The Spurs’ picked up their energy in the fourth quarter, holding the Magic to just 20 points.
- The Spurs did not double team Howard and stayed at home with the Magic three point shooters. The Magic did make nine three pointers, but most of them came in transition.
Causes for Concern:
- The Spurs were outrebounded 23-12 in the first half. If it was not for the 51 percent shooting, the Spurs would have been trailing by halftime.
- The Spurs played a lot of one-on-one basketball in the third quarter; there was not as much ball movement as opposed to the second quarter.
- Ginobili looked tired at the end of the third quarter as he threw the ball away three straight times.
- The technical foul on Howard was atrocious. He was clearly hit by Duncan; I thought calling the technical compounded the situation.
- Three Point Barrage: Both teams were a collective 21 for 37 from three point range, including the 4 for 7 shooting in the fourth quarter.
Turing point of the game: When Vince Carter left the game after it appeared he tweaked his ankle. Though Carter struggled the entire game, he is the only Magic perimeter player who can isolate and create shots for himself and others.
What’s Next: The Spurs will travel to the Target Center to face the lowly Timberwolves. Then,they will come back the AT&T Center to face the Mavericks in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Tim Duncan
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Tim Duncan
Duncan played excellent defense on Dwight Howard. He also only played 28 minutes, which is always a positive as Popovich tries to preserve Duncan’s body.
Stats: 6-10 shooting, 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks
Grade: B+
Tony Parker
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Tony Parker
Parker missed some easy shots early in the game. However, Parker stayed in attack mode the whole game, he attacked the basket, made the extra pass, and knocked down two big three pointers. But, he needs to fight over screens harder in the future.
Stats: 9-15 shooting, 24 points, 10 assists, 1 steal
Grade: A+
Manu Ginobili
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Manu Ginobili
Ginobili did a good job defending Carter for most of the game. But, Ginobili looked gassed at the end of the third quarter and committed three straight turnovers that led to a 77-74 lead at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Ginobili had the ball in his hands at the end of the fourth quarter and made the big plays, including a floater and the foul shot with thirty seconds left.
Stats: 9-17 shooting, 24 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal
Grade: A-
Richard Jefferson
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Richard Jefferson
Jefferson non-factor in the first half, He was a little more aggressive in the second half, but that is not saying much. The Spurs should think about running some plays for Jefferson early in the game so he can stay involved.
Stats: 8 points, 2-7 shooting, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Grade: C-
George Hill
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George Hill
Hill was aggressive in the first half, but passive in the second. The offense seems to bog down when he is running the point guard. However, he defended Nelson and Redick very well.
Stats: 4-9 shooting, 10 points, 1assist, 1 steal
Grade: B+
Antonio McDyess
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Antonio McDyess
Played excellent defense on Howard and Lewis in the second half. Ginobili should stop throwing him quick pass; McDyess’ hands are not good enough.
Stats: 3-7 shooting, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1assist
Grade: B-
Matt Bonner
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Matt Bonner
He made momentum changing three pointers the whole game. While he did not have the quickness to guard Lewis, the matchup favored Bonner over Blair. He was physical defending Bass and Lewis. Showed toughness on the glass when he ripped a rebound from Howard in the second quarter.
Stats: 4-4 three point shooting, 15 points, 7 rebounds
Grade: A+
DeJuan Blair
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DeJuan Blair
Blair struggled guarding the quicker more perimeter oriented Rashard Lewis. For that reason Popovich had to go to Bonner early in the first quarter.
Stats: 1-2 shooting, 3 points, 1 rebound
Grade: D-
