Nov

10

Ginobili Helps Shorthanded Spurs Beat Raptors 131-124

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

The San Antonio Spurs, by at least their standards, are struggling. Injuries have been the main culprit as during Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, they were missing Tony Parker and Tim Duncan – out due to injuries. Which meant that they would have to turn to their “third option”, Manu Ginobili, as their “go-to” guy for offense; and by all accounts, he didn’t disappoint as he scored 36 points, leading San Antonio to the hard-fought 131-124 win over Toronto at AT&T Center.

The first quarter was a see-saw affair as Toronto held a six-point lead on an Andrea Bargnani jumper with 5:26 remaining; both teams would share the lead several times before the Raptors’ Jarrett Jack hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, enabling Toronto to take a 32-31 lead going into the second quarter. Hedo Turkoglu’s three-point play helped the Raptors gain a double-digit lead at the 6:37 mark of the first half; Antonio McDyess’ 3-point play tied the game up at 49-all with 3:39 left in the second quarter. The lead switched hands before Richard Jefferson’s trey as time expired tied the game at 63-all as both teams went to their respective locker rooms at halftime.

Neither team held a lead larger than three during the third quarter as it was truly nip-and-tuck; Ginobili made three free throws with 9 ticks left on the game clock, but a Marco Belinelli three-pointer would give Toronto a 95-93 lead going into the final period. The Spurs would dominate the fourth quarter as they would gain a 10-point lead on Matt Bonner’s three-pointer with 3:24 left in the game;  a layup by George Hill with 1:54 remaining would seal the win for San Antonio.

Ginobili came off the bench to lead San Antonio with 36 points (including 6 three-pointers) with 4 rebounds, 8 assists, a steal and 4 blocks while Jefferson added 24 with 8 rebounds and 7 assists; Hill chipped in 22 with 2 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal while Bonner poured in 18 (including 4 treys) with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Six Raptors scored in double-digits, led by Chris Bosh with 32 points, 10 rebounds, an assist and a block while Turkoglu added 20 with 3 rebounds and 2 assists; Bargnani pitched in 17 with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a block while Jose Calderon poured in 13 with 2 rebounds and 9 assists. San Antonio (3-3) look to rise above the .500 mark when they remain at home to host the rival Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday while Toronto (3-4) returns home to host the Chicago Bulls – also on Wednesday night.


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Comments

One Response to “Ginobili Helps Shorthanded Spurs Beat Raptors 131-124”

  1. john on November 10th, 2009 10:11 am

    This is the just the kind of antidote the Spurs needed after the defeat against the Blazers. Much suprisingly without the service of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. The whole team pull things together to grind out this result.

    Happy to see George Hill doing a great job in taking over from Parker. Finally we get to another good reason why RJ is here. Special thanks to both Dice and the rookie Blair for the help they provided in defense.

    With this performance, there must a whole lot of confidence going on in the locker room. Let’s hope another repeat against the Mavs on Wednesday.

    As for Manu….(you may check out my post on Mundo)

    Well I must admit that I never thought that this kind of performance from him ever again. I guess my main reason must be based on the fact his body might not be able to take it (when you wear & tear in consideration) after these years of aggresive and hustling game that we’re all very much used to see it from him.

    Then again, you can’t change a person habit that easily. Manu does what he does best and not even another pain from his body will stop him from doing so. And that’s why we love him so much, don’t we.

    THE LEGEND CONTINUES….

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