Official Pacers at Spurs Game Thread

[Eddy from Austin]

Pacers-Spurs Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
STATS Writer

While they haven't made it easy on themselves so far this season, the San Antonio Spurs have a chance to secure the best start in franchise history.
The Spurs will try to improve to 4-0 while continuing their dominance of the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

San Antonio came from behind in the final minute to win its season opener, got a buzzer-beating game-winner from Tony Parker in its second game and needed a fourth-quarter recovery after blowing a 19-point lead Saturday against Utah.

The Jazz outscored the Spurs 35-17 in the third quarter to tie that game at 79 before San Antonio salvaged a 110-100 victory.
"We didn't panic. I thought we did a great job of sticking with what we were doing," forward Tim Duncan said.

After hitting a 21-foot jumper to beat Oklahoma City on Thursday, Parker had a team-leading 24 points and 10 assists versus Utah. The Spurs guard also made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 50 seconds left in a season-opening 99-95 victory at New Orleans on Wednesday, when Duncan added a pair of late free throws.

Those efforts have helped San Antonio open with three consecutive wins for the fourth time in franchise history. Even with four titles, the Spurs have never won their first four games.

They have a good chance considering their track record against the Pacers (2-1), which includes wins in the last nine matchups and 12 of 13. San Antonio has prevailed in 13 of 14 home meetings and 10 straight.

The Spurs won 112-103 in last season's lone matchup March 31 at the AT&T Center. Duncan had a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Parker and Manu Ginobili each had 18 points.
Ginobili missed three preseason games and the first two regular-season contests with back problems before scoring eight points in 16 minutes Saturday. His presence in this game could make a difference, especially because he's averaged 20.8 points on 53.8 percent shooting and made 19 of 42 (45.2 percent) from 3-point range in his last eight games against the Pacers.

Indiana, meanwhile, remains without the services of Danny Granger, who has averaged 23.4 points in his last five matchups with San Antonio.

With a sore left knee keeping their perennial scoring leader out indefinitely, the Pacers have relied on their defense. They're giving up 92.0 points per game on 36.3 percent shooting after allowing 94.4 in 2011-12 and 100.9 in 2010-11.

Despite taking Saturday's game into double overtime, Sacramento failed to reach the century mark against Indiana in a 106-98 defeat. A 67-47 rebounding advantage aided the Pacers in their home opener, as did David West's 18 points and 18 boards.

Paul George added 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds to help his team bounce back from Friday's 90-89 loss at Charlotte. That defeat followed a 90-88 win over Toronto on Wednesday, when George Hill hit a tiebreaking shot with two seconds left.

"It's good for our team to know that in the tough situations, when we're not playing well, that we can continue to grind it out," Hill said. "I'm happy that we're learning in November instead of April or May."

[Money4Nothing]

If we can keep West in check, should have a good change to take this game, with Indiana missing Granger.

Would love to see a 4-0 start.

$

[Eddy from Austin]

Originally Posted by Money4Nothing

If we can keep West in check, should have a good change to take this game, with Indiana missing Granger.

Would love to see a 4-0 start.

$

Come to find out the Spurs have never - ever started a season 4-0. Go figure.

[td4mvp2k]

Will be a good one with Hill back and if the Spurs can win the rebounds then they should make history.

[Mombear]

Spurs 102
Pacers 97

[Eddy from Austin]

Spurs 97
Pacers 91

[spurscrazed]

Spurs ended last season with 4 losses to OKC, but before those 4 consequent L's..... Spurs won a whole bunches!!!!

Manu gets his rhythm & Timmy & Tony play w the same energy. Leonard, and Green, and Captain J' kept the great plays.. All Spurs start playing well too because it is a team thing...

Spurs can do 4 - 0 as long as they stay Focused & Rollin'

Spurs 105
Pacers 95

Go Spurs Go
Keep Rollin' Baby!

[Money4Nothing]

Looks like the Pacers were not much of a challenge without Granger.

Best start in franchise history! LOL

$

[3 Legged Dog]

Our soft French center gathered 0 rebounds

[Jose_TheGenius]

Originally Posted by 3 Legged Dog

Our soft French center gathered 0 rebounds

so did our 3 point specialist big. our 6'6" center got 11 (tied with Duncan). it's very hard to judge them as "soft" against just one team who's PF was converted from SF and their center is freakin tall and long armed. Diaw does well against traditional bigs who don't move around too well and David West is the opposite of that.

[SleepyAdamII]

I thought soft french center meant Ian Mahinimi...lol he looked bad

[spurscrazed]

Originally Posted by Jose_TheGenius

so did our 3 point specialist big. our 6'6" center got 11 (tied with Duncan). it's very hard to judge them as "soft" against just one team who's PF was converted from SF and their center is freakin tall and long armed. Diaw does well against traditional bigs who don't move around too well and David West is the opposite of that.

+100

Agreed.

Diaw was not playing his best game, but he was okay. He can and will do better though. Esp since Pop tried to mix that rotation a little. Bringing Blair off the bench sent a clear message though.

Pop is da Master in playing the matchup vs other teams. Every game seems different.

I will add here that Manu played fantastic. We all know TP, TD & Captain Jack & Leonard & Green were clicking. But as Manu coming back into rhythm now Pop needs to tweak that rotation according to matchups.

Nice work Pop!

Great job by Manu!!!! I LOVED watching Manu play last night.. Last year we never had that luxury of having Manu developing those new guys. It is priceless to see Manu coming back! As Manu comes along with the fundamentals of TD and TP... This missing part last year was huge Manu's developing and meshing well enough with the second unit. Nothing can beat a Strong bench with so many weapons. And our team would be scary if this trend continues.

This year Pop is catching them up and starting to iron some huge wrinkles that were hiding in disguise of winning and forgetting key things.

I guess everyone is playing better this season so far. Let's hope they all stay healthy and get glued and focused to never lose that team thing.