Feb

8

Duncan And Bonner Provide Texas Two-Step As Spurs Beat Boston 105-99

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Analysis, NBA Game Recap 

The San Antonio Spurs may not be the same game in and game out dominant team that they were when they won the NBA Finals in 2007. However they are still a force to be reckoned with on their best days for any opponent, no matter the venue. The Spurs proved that again Sunday at the “New Garden“ as they defeated the reigning NBA Champs the Boston Celtics 105-99. Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner each scored  23 points for San Antonio, sending Boston to their second loss in the last three games, and their second consecutive home loss. Thursday night the Celtics fell to the Lakers in overtime.

Both the Lakers game and the Spurs contest should be a wake up call to Boston President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. The Celtics need a presence on the bench, in order to be able to defeat the elite teams in the Western Conference. If Boston is able to get past their most likely opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals the Cleveland Cavaliers, they are not presently strong enough depth wise to get past the Lakers, the Spurs, or the Houston Rockets.

What direction does Boston go in? I would think back court needs may be more pressing than a need for a big man. Last year, especially during the Finals, the “Green Team’s” bench was their x-factor, with James Posey leading the way, usually complimented by Eddie House and/or Tony Allen. The loss of Posey as a free agent to the New Orleans Hornets is really starting to show, as the Celtics get closer to the All-Star break. Danny Ainge, has to do something to rectify this deficiency in the upcoming days, if Boston has any hopes of getting back to back titles.

Except for the first quarter, this was really a game of feast or famine for both sides. Boston would conclude the first with a razor thin lead of 23-22. The Spurs took over in the second walking into the locker room at the half  on top 60-52. The Celtics opened up the third with 10 straight points taking the lead 62-60 with 8:37 in the quarter, when Kendrick Perkins slammed it home with authority.

Boston maintained the upper hand until with 3:05 to play Manu Ginobili connected on a 24 foot trey giving the Spurs the lead at 74-72. However Boston would get the reins back in the periods closing moments, holding a 76-74 lead at the buzzer. The lead went back and forth like a ping pong ball in the final quarter, until with 20 seconds left in the contest Roger Mason hit a 24 foot trey putting San Antonio ahead to stay at 95-93.

Tim Duncan recorded a double-double, 23 points, 13 boards, 5 assists, and 1 block, while Matt Bonner scored 23 points,  8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Manu Ginobili came off the bench with 19 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block, Roger Mason added 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double, with a game high 26 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, Paul Pierce added 19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. Ray Allen scored 18 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, Tony Allen came off the bench with 11 points, and 1 rebound. Kendrik Perkins put in 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal, Rajon Rondo only scored 6 points, however he dished off 16 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal. San Antonio now has a 34-15 record, while Boston is now 42-11.

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