Spurs-Wizards Preview

By JEFF BARTL
Posted Nov 25 2012 10:06PM

As if things weren't already going terribly for the Washington Wizards, they'll now have to contend with a red-hot Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs.

He'll look to help lead visiting San Antonio to a 13th consecutive victory over winless Washington on Monday night.

The Spurs (11-3) got a game-high 32 points from Parker in a 111-106 double-overtime victory Sunday at Toronto, their third straight win. Parker, averaging 30.3 points and 7.0 assists while shooting 61.2 percent during the winning streak, scored six during the second OT.

"It could've gone either way. We had to work for this one," Parker said. "In the second overtime it was close and they were switching the pick and rolls and I was just trying to get a rhythm."

Tim Duncan added 26 points and is averaging 22.0 points and 12.8 rebounds over his last four.

"He's our closer and he has been that way for the last couple of years," Duncan said of Parker. "He steps up and makes big shots for us. That's what we ask him to do and he's delivered for us."

Each of San Antonio's wins during the streak have come in the midst of a six-game road trip, which doesn't seem to bother the NBA's best road team. Manu Ginobili scored 15 points Sunday for the Spurs, who are 7-1 away from home and will face Orlando on Wednesday before ending the trip with a showdown against Miami on Thursday.

"We take pride in winning on the road," Ginobili said.

San Antonio has won 11 of 12 against teams other than the Los Angeles Clippers, and it doesn't appear Washington will be the squad to slow it down. The Spurs have won 12 straight meetings after Parker hit 13 of 18 shots and scored 31 points in a 112-97 victory in the most recent matchup March 12.

Washington's last win in the series came on Nov. 12, 2005, when Duncan shot 3 for 18.

At this point, the Wizards would take a victory over any team. Their franchise-worst start hit 0-11 after a 108-106 double-overtime loss to Charlotte on Saturday.

Martell Webster scored 21 points and Nene added 19 off the bench for Washington, which was coming off a 101-100 overtime defeat at Atlanta on Wednesday.

"I don't know how many games we lost. I just know there were a couple games we were supposed to win," Nene said.

The Wizards are the league's lowest-scoring team averaging 89.8 points, and coach Randy Wittman is putting the brunt of the blame on himself for the constant losing.

Each defeat brings them closer to the worst start in NBA history, set by a New Jersey team that lost its first 18 games in 2009-10.

"It's hard to win a game," Wittman said. "You have to make plays down the stretch. I thought we had three great looks, they just didn't go in. A lot of things - start of the game, start of third quarter.

"That lies with me. I'm not pointing a finger at my players. Obviously, it lies with me, I know it lies with me and I need to figure a way out to get this righted. That's what my job is and I'll take full responsibility for that."

San Antonio has won the last seven meetings by an average of 19.9 points.

Spurs beat winless Wizards 118-92

Posted Nov 26 2012 11:43PM

WASHINGTON (AP) About 15 minutes after his San Antonio Spurs handed the Washington Wizards their 12th straight defeat, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich bumped into his Wizards counterpart, Randy Wittman in the hall. Popovich put his hand on Wittman's shoulder and wished him luck.

Wittman will need more than consoling.

The Wizards are the 12th team in NBA history to start the season 0-12 according to STATS and are six away from equaling the New Jersey Nets' record 0-18 start in 2009-10.

San Antonio easily polished off Washington 118-92 on Monday night. In the Wizards' first 11 games, they lost by 72 points, and never by more than 16. Washington was completely outclassed by the Spurs, who played their usual precise offensive game with pinpoint passes and lots of open shots.

"I'd like someday for us to play like that," a wistful Wittman said after the game.

San Antonio took the lead with eight minutes to go in the first half and ended it on a 20-10 run for a 60-48 lead.

"It kind of took our will away," Wittman said.

The Spurs steadily increased their advantage in the third quarter and led 92-70 after three. San Antonio's largest lead was 29 in the fourth quarter.

San Antonio had seven players in double figures. as they continued their successful road trip. Boris Diaw scored 16 points, Tiago Splitter had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Tony Parker added 15. Tim Duncan had 14, Gary Neal 13, Manu Ginobili 12 and Matt Bonner had 11. After winning the first four games of the six-game trip, they're now 8-1 on the road and 12-3 overall.

"They carved us up pretty good tonight," Wittman said.

Popovich had some compassion for his counterpart, who had to play without John Wall and Nene. Wall has missed all season with a left knee injury, but Nene had to sit this game out after playing 29 minutes in a double-overtime loss to Charlotte on Saturday. It was just his second game back after he missed the first nine with a left foot injury.

"You know, you take Tony and Tim off the floor, Manu and Tony off the floor for us, and we'll have a tough time. In the NBA, having your best players is really important," Popovich said.

After Sunday's double-overtime win in Toronto, Popovich's team really needed an easy night. None of his players was on the floor for more than 26 minutes.

"It was huge for us to have a good start and make sure we play well right away. Don't mess with them, because we knew they were 0-11. You don't want to mess with that kind of team. You just want to from the get-go pound them and that's what we did," Parker said.

The Wizards were led by Jordan Crawford's 19 and Kevin Seraphin with 18. San Antonio had 32 assists to Washington's 14.

"We're all embarrassed - plain and simple," Wizards swingman Martel Webster said.

While Washington was embarrassed, the Spurs were efficient, in playing and leaving. Within a half-hour, their locker room was empty.

"We knew we were going to play a lot of guys and kind of keep our minutes down especially after the tough one last night. We came in here and we gave them (the bench) a little lead and guys stepped up and started making shots and we extended that lead. And it's just great to sit there in the fourth quarter, especially after the game we had last night," Duncan said.

NOTES: Before the game, Wittman said that Nene was a game-time decision. After that, he walked over to his locker, talked with him and Nene walked away without commenting. He didn't play, but Wittman said he might on Wednesday against Portland. ... Duncan was named the Western Conference Player of the Week. In four games, he averaged 22 points and 12.8 rebounds. Popovich promised to give the 36-year-old Duncan more rest. "There'll be times this year when we'll sit him back-to-backs. Win or lose, he's not going to play the minutes he played (Sunday)." Duncan played 41 minutes in the Spurs' double-overtime win over Toronto. ... Washington F Trevor Booker missed his third straight game with a strained right knee. ... Wizards G Shaun Livingston missed the game with a sore right shoulder. He said he might play on Wednesday. ... Mark Lerner, part-owner of the Washington Nationals, joined Wizards owner Ted Leonsis at courtside. ... This was the 13th straight win over Washington for the Spurs.

Notebook: Spurs 118, Wizards 92

Rich Dubroff, for NBA.com
Posted Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:19 PM - Updated Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:27 PM

THE FACTS: Boris Diaw led seven players in double figures with 16 points, Tiago Splitter had 15 and 12 rebounds and Tony Parker added to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Washington Wizards 118-92 on Monday night.

The Spurs are now 12-3 and are 8-1 on the road. They won their fourth straight with a 10-0 run in the last three minutes of the first half to take a 60-48 lead. By the end of the third quarter, they led the winless Wizards by 22.

Jordan Crawford led the 0-12 Wizards with 19. Kevin Seraphin had 18.

QUOTABLE: "It was huge for us, because especially after what happened last night. It was huge for us to have a good start and make sure we play well right away. Don't mess with them, because we knew they were 0-11. You don't want to mess with that kind of team. You just want to from the get-go pound them and that's what we did." -- Parker on the easy win for the Spurs.

THE STAT: The Wizards are the 12th team to start the season 0-12 according to STATS LLC. The 2009-10 New Jersey Nets have the all-time worst start, 0-18.

TURNING POINT: With eight minutes to go in the second quarter, the Spurs took the lead and demonstrated their poise with their textbook style of play. "I'd like someday for us to play like that," Washington coach Randy Wittman said.

QUOTABLE II: "What are you guys talking to him for→ He played like half the game!" -- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich walking past Parker, who was talking about the role Diaw played in the win. HOT: Tim Duncan, who played 41 minutes in a double-overtime win in Toronto on Sunday, was 7-for-11 from the field in just 23 minutes. "It's just great to sit there in the fourth quarter, especially after the game we had last night," Duncan said.

NOT: Bradley Beal was just 4-for-13. Cartier Martin missed seven of his eight shots for the Wizards, who had just 14 assists to the Spurs' 32.

GOOD MOVE: Popovich liberally substituted in the first half and was able to rest his big names for the fourth quarter. .

BAD MOVE: .Wittman played Nene 29 minutes on Saturday, nine more than he planned. As a result, Nene's left foot was too sore to play on Monday. Wittman said Nene, who missed the first nine games with a sore left foot, played in just his second game on Saturday.

NOTABLE: After losing their first 11 games by a total of 72 points, the Wizards lost this one by 26. Their most lopsided loss had been 16.

IN THE ARENA: It was a night for Washington sports moguls. Ted Leonsis, who owns both the Wizards and the NHL's Washington Capitals, hosted Mark Lerner, part-owner of baseball's Washington Nationals.

NEXT: For the Spurs: Wednesday @ Magic, Thursday @ Heat, Saturday vs. Grizzlies. For the Wizards: Wednesday vs. Trail Blazers, Friday @ Knicks, Dec. 4 vs. Heat.

• Spurs: Jackson, Leonard
• Wizards: Booker, Wall

• Spurs: --
• Wizards: --

• Lead Changes: 6
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
• Officials: #55 Bill Kennedy, #71 Rodney Mott, #44 Eli Roe
• Attendance: 13879
• Duration: 1:56