Spurs-Celtics Preview

By JEFF BARTL
Posted Jan 05 2011 12:12AM

Doc Rivers insisted Paul Pierce shoot more in Boston's most recent victory. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich didn't seem to have the same confidence in his stars down the stretch of a tough loss.

The NBA's two top teams, the Celtics and Spurs meet Wednesday night in a matchup that should present a contrast in styles.

Popovich has guided San Antonio to four NBA championships focusing mainly on defense. However, the Spurs (29-5) are scoring 105.6 points per game this season, good for fourth in the league. Their high-scoring offense sometimes causes opponents to play a more fast-paced game, which New York took advantage of Tuesday in a 129-115 home victory over San Antonio.

The 129 points allowed were a season high for the Spurs, who allowed New York to shoot 55 percent.

"If we score 115 points, I expect to win," Popovich sad. "Our defense was pathetic. It was our worst defense of the year. Nothing else tricky about it."

The coach yanked Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker from the game with the Knicks leading by 10 and three minutes remaining - possibly still enough time for a comeback. Parker scored 26 points, Ginobili finished with 15 and Duncan had 14 while shooting 5 of 14 from the field.

"I asked them if they wouldn't mind maybe playing a little bit better (Wednesday). They said they'd think about it," Popovich said. "We'll see what happens."

The Spurs have bounced back nicely from their other four losses, winning the subsequent four contests by an average of nearly 11 points. They haven't dropped consecutive games since getting swept by Phoenix in the second round of last spring's playoffs.

The San Antonio offense figures to be tested by the Celtics, who are allowing an NBA-low 90.8 points per game. However, the Spurs have won 14 of their last 16 visits to Boston (26-7), which has won two straight with Rajon Rondo back in the lineup.

Boston went 4-3 while Rondo sat out with a right leg injury. Paul Pierce, who sarcastically said he forgot the starting point guard had returned, attempted to spread the ball around rather than shoot it himself in the first half of a 96-93 victory Monday against Minnesota.

"I thought Paul in the first half tried way too hard to get everybody involved," Rivers said. "I told Paul, `You don't need to be the playmaker. We need you to score."

Pierce took a more aggressive approach in the second half and finished with 23 points. Rondo had 16 assists.

Pierce's scoring has become more important since Kevin Garnett's right leg injury, which is expected to sideline the power forward for at least another week. Pierce has averaged only 11.7 points in his last three games against San Antonio.

Despite their lack of success against the Spurs at home, the Celtics have won five of the last seven overall in the series after losing 18 straight from 1997-2007.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Rondo's triple-double leads Celtics past Spurs

By JIMMY GOLEN
Posted Jan 05 2011 11:57PM

BOSTON (AP) Rajon Rondo had already played two games since returning from a sprained ankle. It wasn't until Wednesday night, though, that he really returned.

The Celtics point guard had 22 assists, 12 points and 10 rebounds for his 11th career triple-double, adding six steals to help Boston beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-103 in a matchup of the NBA's top two teams.

"I felt a lot better in the past couple of games," said Rondo, who also played 43 1/2 minutes just three games after missing two weeks with an injury. "I'm in a little better rhythm, and I'm able to push off push off a little bit more on my ankle."

Ray Allen scored 31 points and Glen "Big Baby" Davis had 23 - one short of a career high - playing in place of the injured Kevin Garnett. Manu Ginobili scored 24 points with eight rebounds for the Spurs (29-6), who still have the best record in the NBA despite losing back-to-back games for the first time all season.

"We're not satisfied with where we are, and honestly I don't really care what our record is," San Antonio forward Tim Duncan said. "(With) the kind of defense we're playing, we're definitely not satisfied with where we are right now.

Allen made 13 of 16 shots to help the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics (27-7) shoot 61 percent from the floor as a team. But he also missed a pair of free throws with 8.1 seconds left and the Celtics up by two.

After a timeout, Ginobili worked down the clock and put up a shot that Pierce blocked and Rondo pulled down for his 10th rebound.

Rondo's 22 assists were the second-most in his career; he had 24 in an Oct. 29 game against the New York Knicks that was his only other triple-double this season. His six steals were a season-high and one off his career-high, and he scored eight points in the fourth quarter when the Spurs began playing him to pass.

"He did it all," Pierce said. "Rebounded. Assisted. Doc's kind of been on him about taking that shot there. And he steps up when he needs to and knocks down those shots confidently."

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker had 18 points apiece for the Spurs, who were coming off a 128-115 loss to the Knicks in New York on Tuesday in which coach Gregg Popovich pulled his three stars with more than three minutes left, down by just 11.

"This is a different game than New York," Ginobili said. "New York, we went out there and they beat us in every single area of the game. Today was different."

And it turned out the Spurs needed the extra rest in a game against Boston that went down to the wire.

Boston's 61.3 percent shooting percentage was the highest for a Spurs opponent since 1988, according to STATS LLC.

"The fact that we shot 61 percent ... and won by two is a scary number, when you think about it," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "It took a 61 percent effort from us tonight to win a basketball game at home. That tells you how good that team is."

Popovich joked that Allen dragged the team down by missing three shots.

"If it was practice ... I don't know if anyone in the league would hit 13 out of 16. He does it in a game," Popovich said. "I think he's pretty good."

San Antonio took a 70-67 lead on Duncan's hook shot with 3:37 left in the third quarter, but they did not score again until George Hill beat the buzzer with a bank shot. In the meantime, Boston scored 10 straight points, including a 3-pointer from Pierce to tie it and his slamming, swinging-from-the-rim dunk that made it 77-70.

But it was 96-all when Rondo grabbed his ninth rebound and worked the ball down to Marquis Daniels for a layup, then Pierce found Allen for a 3-pointer that made it 101-96 with 97 seconds left. After Davis drew an offensive foul on Richard Jefferson, Rondo drove into the lane and floated one over Duncan to make it 103-96.

Allen stripped the ball away from Hill and went in for the layup and Boston's biggest lead of the game.

But Ginobili hit a 3-pointer, Parker drove for a layup and then Jefferson hit a pair of free throws to cut the Spurs' deficit to two points. With Boston still leading 105-103, Pierce missed a jumper but Nate Robinson pulled down the rebound and got the ball to Allen, who was fouled.

He missed both free throws. It's just the second time in 50 weeks that Allen, a career 89 percent foul shooter, has missed two free throws in a game.

Notes: The Spurs waived backup swingman Ime Udoka during the day. Udoka played sparingly in 20 games after being signed in November. It was his second stint with the Spurs after spending two seasons in San Antonio following the team's last championship in 2007. ... San Antonio rookie James Anderson is expected back soon after missing the last two months with a stress fracture in his foot. ... Jermaine O'Neal fouled out with 3:13 left. ... Pierce was called for a technical foul with 4:55 left for complaining about a foul non-call. That helped the Spurs tie it at 90.... Boston is 3-1 since Garnett went out with a right calf injury.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Spurs-Celtics notebook

By Brian Robb, for NBA.com
Posted Wednesday January 5, 2011 11:29PM

THE FACTS: Paul Pierce blocked Manu Ginoboli's game-tying shot with two seconds remaining as the Boston Celtics held off a furious last-minute rally by the San Antonio Spurs on their way to a 105-103 win. Rajon Rondo grabbed the blocked shot as time expired to give him his 10th rebound, completing his second triple-double of the year with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 22 assists. Ray Allen led all scorers with 31 points in the terrific offensive effort for Boston, who shot 61.3 percent as a team. Ginoboli was the Spurs high scorer with 24 points in the matchup between the league's top two teams.

QUOTABLE: "The fact that we shot 61percent and won by two is scary. That shows they're a really good team."
-- Doc Rivers

THE STAT: Ginoboli shook off a lackluster three quarters to step it up for the Spurs when they needed it the most in the closing 12 minutes. After needing 35 minutes to hit his first field goal of the game, Ginobili took command down the stretch, willing his team back into the contest by scoring 20 of his 24 points in the final frame, before ultimately falling just short of a dramatic comeback.

TURNING POINT: After nearly blowing a nine-point lead in the final minute of the game, Boston stood firm on its last defensive possession. Leading by two with just nine seconds remaining, San Antonio got the ball to their hot hand in Ginobili, who was double-teamed by Marquis Daniels and Pierce. The C's captain stepped up with the block on the long two-point shot, ending the Spurs chances to extend the drama into overtime.

QUOTABLE II: "Ray [Allen] needs to work on his shooting a little bit. He only hit 13 out of 16. If it was practice, and you did pindowns, I don't know if anyone in the league would hit 13-of-16. He does it in game. I think he's pretty good."
-- Gregg Popovich

HOT: Allen took advantage of Ginoboli's lackluster defense from the opening tip, racing around the perimeter to hit five of his first six shots in the first quarter for 10 points. The veteran finished with 31 points overall on a scorching 13-of-16 shooting from the field, including several pivotal buckets late.

NOT: The Spurs' George Hill struggled on both ends of the floor, missing eight of his nine shots. The third-year player finished with just four points, seven below his season average of 11.2 per game.

QUOTABLE III: "You knew it was going to be a nip tuck game pretty much all night. You got two heavyweights battling and it was fun to be a part of it. I'm just glad we won."
-- Paul Pierce

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Looking far more mobile than his first game back from a sprained left ankle Monday night, Rondo wreaked havoc on San Antonio's defense right out of the gate and kept it up all night to continue his torrid assist pace. He dished out eight assists alone in the first quarter and followed that up with nine dimes in the third quarter on his way to 22 assists overall. In addition, the point guard stuffed the box score with 12 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. The All-Star is now averaging 14 apg on the year.

ROOKIE WATCH: 26-year-old rookie Gary Neal continued to provide a reliable offensive boost off the bench for San Antonio. The sharpshooter hit all three of his first-quarter shots for seven points and finished with 10 points on his night.

QUOTABLE IV: "We're very hard on ourselves. We're not satisfied with where we are and honestly, I don't care what our record is. It's how we've been playing through stretches. We're definitely not satisfied with where we are at defensively right now."
-- Tim Duncan

NOTABLE: Boston limited San Antonio, the league's best fast breaking team, to just six fast-break points in the contest. Glen Davis and Pierce both contributed terrific offensive efforts for Boston, chipping in with 23 and 18 points respectively. The C's starting lineup collectively shot 66.6 percent (38-of-57) from the field. Six players scored in double figures for San Antonio, as Tony Parker and Duncan both had above-average evenings with 18 points each. The Spurs grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and hit 16 of their 17 free throws. Boston has won three straight games overall.

UP NEXT: For the Spurs, Friday @ Indiana, Sunday vs. Minnesota, Tuesday @ Minnesota. For the Celtics, Friday vs. Toronto, Saturday @ Chicago, Monday vs. Houston.

• Spurs: Anderson
• Celtics: Garnett, Perkins, West

• Spurs: Popovich
• Celtics: Pierce

• Lead Changes: 8
• Times Tied: 12

• Arena: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Officials: #55 Bill Kennedy, #30 John Goble, #70 Brent Barnaky
• Attendance: 18624
• Duration: 2:16

San Antonio Spurs (29-7)		Boston Celtics (28-7)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball O'Neal vs Duncan (Parker gains possession)
Parker Jump Shot: Missed	11:43
	11:41	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Duncan Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	11:22
	11:22	Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	11:22	Team Rebound
	11:22 [BOS 1-0]	Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)
Blair Jump Shot: Missed	11:04
	11:03	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:56 [BOS 3-0]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (1 AST)
Duncan Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Blair (1 AST)	10:41 [SAS 2-3]
	10:27 [BOS 5-2]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rondo (2 AST)
Ginobili Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	10:16
Blair Substitution replaced by Bonner	10:16
	10:03	Davis Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Parker (1 ST)
Parker Layup Shot: Missed	09:58
Bonner Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	09:56
Bonner Putback Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:55 [SAS 4-5]
	09:40 [BOS 7-4]	Allen Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	09:36
Bonner Substitution replaced by Blair	09:36
Ginobili 3pt Shot: Missed	09:19
	09:18	Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:09 [BOS 9-4]	O'Neal Jump Bank Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Ginobili (1 AST)	08:55 [SAS 7-9]
	08:35	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Ginobili Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:34
Parker 3pt Shot: Missed	08:20
	08:18	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:12 [BOS 12-7]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Rondo (3 AST)
Team Timeout : Short	08:10
Ginobili Running Jump Shot: Missed	07:59
	07:57	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:47	Rondo Layup Shot: Missed
	07:46	Rondo Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:42	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
Ginobili Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:41
Parker Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Rondo (1 ST)	07:33
	07:21	Rondo Jump Shot: Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:20
Duncan Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	07:01
Jefferson Substitution replaced by Bonner	07:01
Blair Substitution replaced by Hill	07:01
Parker Substitution replaced by Neal	07:01
	06:46 [BOS 14-7]	Davis Jump Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Rondo (4 AST)
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	06:24
Duncan Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	06:23
Duncan Tip Shot: Missed	06:23
Duncan Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	06:20
Duncan Tip Shot: Made (4 PTS)	06:20 [SAS 9-14]
	06:06 [BOS 16-9]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Rondo (5 AST)
Neal Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	05:44 [SAS 11-16]
	05:26 [BOS 18-11]	Rondo Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)
	05:14	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Ginobili Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	05:14 [SAS 12-18]
	05:14	O'Neal Substitution replaced by O'Neal
Ginobili Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	05:14
	05:13	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:59	Rondo Foul : Offensive Charge (1 PF)
	04:59	Rondo Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Duncan Substitution replaced by McDyess	04:59
Ginobili Substitution replaced by Jefferson	04:59
Hill 3pt Shot: Missed	04:40
Bonner Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	04:39
Bonner Hook Shot: Missed	04:37
	04:36	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:19	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:18
Bonner 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Neal (1 AST)	04:10 [SAS 15-18]
	03:51 [BOS 20-15]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Rondo (6 AST)
Neal Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: McDyess (1 AST)	03:32 [SAS 17-20]
	03:07 [BOS 22-17]	Davis Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Rondo (7 AST)
Hill 3pt Shot: Missed	02:50
	02:48	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	02:40	O'Neal Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	02:40	O'Neal Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	02:40	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:40	Pierce Substitution replaced by Daniels
Neal 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS)	02:25 [SAS 20-22]
Bonner Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	02:03
	02:03	Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:03	Team Rebound
	02:03 [BOS 23-20]	Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
McDyess Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Neal (2 AST)	01:42 [SAS 22-23]
	01:20	O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed
Bonner Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	01:19
Hill Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Rondo (2 ST)	01:02
	00:56.9	Daniels Layup Shot: Missed
	00:54.8	Rondo Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	00:36.6 [BOS 25-22]	Davis Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Rondo (8 AST)
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: McDyess (2 AST)	00:16.9 [SAS 25-25]
	00:00.0 [BOS 27-25]	O'Neal Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (9 AST)
End of 1st Quarter
San Antonio Spurs (29-7)		Boston Celtics (28-7)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:38	O'Neal Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
	11:37	Robinson Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	11:32 [BOS 30-25]	Robinson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Bonner Jump Shot: Missed	11:15
	11:13	Robinson Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	11:02 [BOS 32-25]	Robinson Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Bonner Floating Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)	10:42 [SAS 27-32]
	10:23	O'Neal Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)
Neal Substitution replaced by Parker	10:23
Jefferson Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Hill (1 AST)	10:14 [SAS 29-32]
	10:14	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Jefferson Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)	10:14 [SAS 30-32]
	09:48	Robinson Jump Shot: Missed
McDyess Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:47
Jefferson Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Daniels (1 ST)	09:34
	09:24 [BOS 34-30]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Wafer (1 AST)
Bonner Jump Shot: Missed	09:00
	08:59	Wafer Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:47	Harangody Jump Shot: Missed
Parker Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:46
Team Timeout : Regular	08:41
Bonner 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Jefferson (1 AST)	08:38 [SAS 33-34]
	08:20	Robinson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bonner (1 ST)
Parker Jump Bank Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:14 [SAS 35-34]
	07:54	Wafer 3pt Shot: Missed
McDyess Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:53
Parker Running Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	07:43 [SAS 37-34]
	07:33	Team Timeout : Regular
	07:33	Daniels Substitution replaced by Pierce
	07:33	Robinson Substitution replaced by Rondo
	07:33	Harangody Substitution replaced by Davis
Hill Substitution replaced by Ginobili	07:33
	07:21 [BOS 36-37]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Bonner Jump Shot: Missed	07:06
	07:05	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:52	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
McDyess Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	06:50
McDyess Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Bonner (1 AST)	06:42 [SAS 39-36]
	06:24	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
	06:24	O'Neal Substitution replaced by O'Neal
Bonner Substitution replaced by Duncan	06:24
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Missed	06:07
McDyess Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	06:06
McDyess Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	05:56
Jefferson Substitution replaced by Hill	05:56
	05:32	Wafer Jump Shot: Missed
	05:32	Team Rebound
	05:32	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
McDyess Jump Shot: Missed	05:20
	05:19	Rondo Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	05:13 [BOS 38-39]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rondo (10 AST)
McDyess Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:13
	05:13	Wafer Substitution replaced by Allen
McDyess Substitution replaced by Bonner	05:13
Bonner Violation:Lane	05:13
	05:13	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Ginobili Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:13
Parker Floating Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)	04:56 [SAS 41-38]
	04:37	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Parker Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:36
Parker Running Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)	04:27 [SAS 43-38]
	04:11 [BOS 40-43]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Rondo (11 AST)
Duncan Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Hill (2 AST)	03:54 [SAS 45-40]
Hill Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:32
Hill Foul : Personal (2 PF)	03:21
	03:11	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Ginobili Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	03:10
Hill Jump Shot: Missed Block: Rondo (1 BLK)	03:05
	03:03	Rondo Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
Ginobili Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	03:00
Hill Substitution replaced by Neal	03:00
	03:00	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	03:00	Team Rebound
	03:00	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Ginobili Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	03:00
	02:37	Rondo Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	02:37
Bonner 3pt Shot: Missed	02:24
	02:23	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	02:11 [BOS 42-45]	Davis Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Bonner Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	02:11
	02:11 [BOS 43-45]	Davis Free Throw 1 of 1 (11 PTS)
Duncan Running Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Parker (1 AST)	01:54 [SAS 47-43]
	01:36 [BOS 45-47]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
	01:19	O'Neal Foul : Personal Block (2 PF)
Ginobili Substitution replaced by Jefferson	01:19
Parker Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)	01:15
	01:01 [BOS 47-47]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Duncan Jump Shot: Missed	00:49.9
	00:49.4	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	00:42.9	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
Parker Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:40.9
	00:35.9	Pierce Foul : Shooting Block (1 PF)
	00:35.9	Team Timeout : Short
Bonner Substitution replaced by Ginobili	00:35.9
Parker Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	00:35.9 [SAS 48-47]
Parker Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	00:35.9 [SAS 49-47]
	00:25.8 [BOS 49-49]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Rondo (12 AST)
Parker Driving Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)	00:03.5 [SAS 51-49]
	00:00.0	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Duncan (1 BLK)
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 2nd Quarter
San Antonio Spurs (29-7)		Boston Celtics (28-7)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:44 [BOS 51-51]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Rondo (13 AST)
	11:33	Pierce Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Blair Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Ginobili (2 AST)	11:24 [SAS 53-51]
	11:01	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Blair Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	11:00
Duncan Running Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Jefferson (2 AST)	10:43 [SAS 55-51]
	10:26 [BOS 53-55]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Rondo (14 AST)
Duncan Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Ginobili (3 AST)	10:09 [SAS 57-53]
	09:52 [BOS 55-57]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Rondo (15 AST)
Duncan Jump Shot: Missed	09:37
	09:36	Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Jefferson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:31
	09:31 [BOS 56-57]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	09:31 [BOS 57-57]	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Blair Layup Shot: Missed	09:19
	09:17	Rondo Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	09:00 [BOS 59-57]	Davis Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Allen (3 AST)
	08:43	O'Neal Foul : Defense 3 Second (2 PF)
Ginobili Free Throw Technical (2 PTS)	08:43 [SAS 58-59]
Blair Jump Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (1 BLK)	08:32
Parker Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	08:31
Ginobili 3pt Shot: Missed	08:27
	08:26	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	08:15	O'Neal Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Missed
Duncan Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	08:12
Jefferson Jump Shot: Missed	08:10
Ginobili Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	08:08
Ginobili Putback Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:08 [SAS 60-59]
	07:43	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
	07:42	Team Rebound
	07:42	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Parker Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Rondo (3 ST)	07:25
Jefferson Foul : Personal (2 PF)	07:21
Blair Substitution replaced by Bonner	07:21
Ginobili Substitution replaced by Hill	07:21
	07:03 [BOS 61-60]	Davis Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Rondo (16 AST)
Duncan Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Parker (2 AST)	06:47 [SAS 62-61]
	06:30	O'Neal Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	06:30	O'Neal Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Parker (3 AST)	06:10 [SAS 65-61]
	05:49 [BOS 63-65]	Allen Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Rondo (17 AST)
Parker Jump Shot: Missed	05:35
	05:35	Rondo Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	05:23	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:23	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Robinson
Bonner Substitution replaced by Neal	05:23
	05:13 [BOS 65-65]	Davis Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Rondo (18 AST)
Parker Step Back Jump shot: Made (14 PTS)	04:47 [SAS 67-65]
	04:26 [BOS 67-67]	Davis Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Rondo (19 AST)
	04:09	Robinson Foul : Defense 3 Second (0 PF)
Hill Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)	04:09 [SAS 68-67]
Parker Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Rondo (4 ST)	03:55
	03:52	Rondo Foul : Offensive Charge (3 PF)
	03:52	Rondo Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Duncan Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (16 PTS)	03:37 [SAS 70-67]
	03:21	Davis Layup Shot: Missed Block: Duncan (2 BLK)
Duncan Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	03:19
Parker Layup Shot: Missed	03:14
Jefferson Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	03:13
Jefferson Tip Shot: Missed	03:13
Jefferson Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	03:11
Jefferson Tip Shot: Missed	03:11
	03:09	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	03:03 [BOS 70-70]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Rondo (20 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:01
Parker Substitution replaced by Ginobili	03:01
Duncan Substitution replaced by McDyess	03:01
	03:01	Davis Substitution replaced by O'Neal
Hill Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)	02:46
	02:29	Rondo Jump Shot: Missed
McDyess Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	02:27
McDyess Jump Shot: Missed	02:14
	02:13	Robinson Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	02:05	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Ginobili (1 ST)
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Missed	01:54
McDyess Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	01:54
Ginobili 3pt Shot: Missed	01:49
	01:48	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	01:35 [BOS 73-70]	Allen 3pt Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Rondo (21 AST)
Neal 3pt Shot: Missed	01:16
	01:15	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	01:02 [BOS 75-70]	Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Ginobili Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Robinson (1 ST)	00:44.9
	00:41.1 [BOS 77-70]	Pierce Driving Dunk Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Robinson (1 AST)
Jefferson 3pt Shot: Missed	00:29.9
	00:28.9	Robinson Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	00:03.3	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
	00:03.3	Allen Substitution replaced by Wafer
	00:03.3	Rondo Substitution replaced by Daniels
Hill Jump Bank Shot: Made (3 PTS)	00:00.0 [SAS 72-77]
End of 3rd Quarter
San Antonio Spurs (29-7)		Boston Celtics (28-7)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Blair Layup Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (1 BLK)	11:48
Team Rebound	11:45
Blair Layup Shot: Missed	11:38
Blair Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	11:37
Blair Tip Shot: Missed	11:36
Blair Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	11:34
	11:33	Daniels Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	11:23
	11:22	Rondo Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
Ginobili Foul : Personal (2 PF)	11:21
	10:58	O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:56
Neal 3pt Shot: Missed	10:51
	10:50	Team Rebound
	10:36 [BOS 79-72]	Robinson Pullup Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)
Hill Running Jump Shot: Missed	10:15
	10:14	Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:05	Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed
Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:04
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	09:52
Ginobili Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	09:51
Ginobili Tip Shot: Made (6 PTS)	09:51 [SAS 74-79]
	09:34	Wafer Jump Shot: Missed
	09:32	Team Rebound
	09:32	Wafer Substitution replaced by Allen
Blair Substitution replaced by Duncan	09:32
	09:25	Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Ginobili (2 ST)
Neal Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)	09:14 [SAS 76-79]
	09:14	O'Neal Foul : Shooting Block (3 PF)
Neal Free Throw 1 of 1 (10 PTS)	09:14 [SAS 77-79]
	08:53 [BOS 81-77]	Daniels Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Allen (4 AST)
Popovich Technical	08:52
Team Timeout : Regular	08:52
Neal Substitution replaced by Parker	08:52
	08:52 [BOS 82-77]	Allen Free Throw Technical (24 PTS)
	08:38	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Ginobili Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	08:38 [SAS 78-82]
Ginobili Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	08:38 [SAS 79-82]
	08:21 [BOS 84-79]	Daniels Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rondo (22 AST)
Ginobili 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Hill (3 AST)	08:04 [SAS 82-84]
	07:44 [BOS 86-82]	Rondo Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Robinson (2 AST)
Hill 3pt Shot: Missed	07:30
	07:29	Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:26	Daniels Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Ginobili (3 ST)
Ginobili 3pt Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Parker (4 AST)	07:21 [SAS 85-86]
	06:58 [BOS 88-85]	Rondo Pullup Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)
Ginobili Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Rondo (5 ST)	06:44
	06:38 [BOS 90-85]	Rondo Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Allen (5 AST)
Duncan Hook Shot: Missed	06:16
	06:15	Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:11	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Ginobili (4 ST)
Parker Driving Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)	05:55 [SAS 87-90]
	05:37	Robinson Turnover : 3 Second Violation (2 TO)
	05:37
	05:37	Robinson Substitution replaced by Pierce
	05:26	Pierce Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Ginobili Driving Jump shot: Made (16 PTS)	05:17 [SAS 89-90]
	04:55	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	04:55
	04:55	O'Neal Foul : Loose Ball (5 PF)
	04:55	Pierce Technical
	04:55	Daniels Substitution replaced by Davis
Ginobili Free Throw Technical (17 PTS)	04:55 [SAS 90-90]
Duncan Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)	04:55 [SAS 91-90]
Duncan Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)	04:55 [SAS 92-90]
	04:34 [BOS 92-92]	Davis Jump Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: O'Neal (1 AST)
Ginobili Reverse Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Duncan (1 AST)	04:19 [SAS 94-92]
	04:02 [BOS 94-94]	Davis Jump Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Rondo (23 AST)
Duncan Jump Bank Shot: Missed	03:41
	03:40	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
Hill Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	03:24
	03:24 [BOS 95-94]	Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 (25 PTS)
	03:24 [BOS 96-94]	Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 (26 PTS)
	03:13	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (6 PF)
	03:13	O'Neal Substitution replaced by O'Neal
Ginobili Free Throw 1 of 2 (20 PTS)	03:13 [SAS 95-96]
Ginobili Free Throw 2 of 2 (21 PTS)	03:13 [SAS 96-96]
	02:59	Rondo Jump Shot: Missed
Parker Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	02:58
Bonner Jump Shot: Missed	02:48
Duncan Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	02:45
Duncan Layup Shot: Missed	02:45
	02:43	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	02:32	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
	02:31	Rondo Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)
	02:28	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:28	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Daniels
	02:19 [BOS 98-96]	Daniels Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)
Ginobili Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Rondo (6 ST)	01:59
	01:43	Team Timeout : Short
Bonner Substitution replaced by Jefferson	01:43
	01:37 [BOS 101-96]	Allen 3pt Shot: Made (29 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	01:37
Duncan Jump Bank Shot: Missed	01:31
Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	01:30
Jefferson Foul : Offensive Charge (3 PF)	01:17
Jefferson Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	01:17
	01:06 [BOS 103-96]	Rondo Floating Jump shot: Made (12 PTS)
Team Timeout : Short	01:06
Hill Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Allen (1 ST)	01:01
	00:56.8 [BOS 105-96]	Allen Driving Layup Shot: Made (31 PTS)
Ginobili 3pt Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Parker (5 AST)	00:50.5 [SAS 99-105]
Hill Foul : Personal Take (4 PF)	00:47.8
	00:43.9	Pierce Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Parker (2 ST)
Parker Driving Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)	00:42.1 [SAS 101-105]
	00:42.1	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:42.1	Daniels Substitution replaced by Robinson
	00:34.9	Robinson Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Ginobili (5 ST)
	00:33.0	Robinson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Jefferson Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	00:33.0 [SAS 102-105]
Jefferson Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	00:33.0 [SAS 103-105]
	00:11.9	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
	00:10.9	Robinson Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
Jefferson Foul : Personal Take (4 PF)	00:08.1
	00:08.1	Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:08.1	Team Rebound
	00:08.1	Robinson Substitution replaced by Daniels
	00:08.1	Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Ginobili Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)	00:07.9
Team Timeout : Short	00:07.4
Hill Substitution replaced by McDyess	00:07.4
Jefferson Substitution replaced by Bonner	00:07.4
Ginobili Jump Shot: Missed Block: Pierce (1 BLK)	00:00.9
	00:00.0	Rondo Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			League Pass		7:30 pm ET
		--	CSN-NE	Local	7:30 pm ET
		--	FSSW-SA	Local	7:30 pm ET
		--	WOAI	Local	7:30 pm ET
		--	WEEI	Local	7:30 pm ET