Hornets-Spurs Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD
Posted Jan 23 2013 1:42PM

After sweeping a two-game trip to break out of their road funk, the San Antonio Spurs look to continue their dominance at home.

It may not be as easy as expected against the New Orleans Hornets, who have given the Spurs a tough time this season.

San Antonio will try for its 15th consecutive home win and sixth overall Wednesday night against a New Orleans team that could be without its franchise big man.

The Spurs (33-11) haven't lost in San Antonio in more than two months, running their streak to 14 with a 95-88 victory over Golden State on Friday. They improved to an NBA-best 18-2 on their home floor, winning there during the streak by an average of 16.0 points.

With a win over the last place Hornets (14-27), the Southwest Division leaders can move one step closer to the franchise record of 22 consecutive home wins set during the 2010-11 season.

The Spurs have won 15 of 17 at home against New Orleans, but victories in this season's series have been difficult to come by regardless of the venue. San Antonio has won two of three by a total of nine points, and lost 95-88 in New Orleans on Jan. 7.

San Antonio received mixed news regarding its injuries following Wednesday's shootaround. Manu Ginobili - sidelined the last four games with a strained left hamstring - is expected to play, but Tim Duncan and swingman Kawhi Leonard have been ruled out due to injuries.

Ginobili has totaled 34 points and 11 assists in just 49 minutes over two games versus New Orleans this season.

The Hornets, however, have their own injury scare to deal with after Anthony Davis hurt his left ankle and sat out the second half of a 114-105 win over Sacramento on Monday.

"I landed on (a) foot and rolled it," Davis said. "Pretty sure I should be back. It's fine."

Davis, who missed 11 games earlier this season due to a stress fracture in the same ankle, will be a game-time decision. It would be a big loss considering the No. 1 overall pick has averaged 18.7 points and 9.0 rebounds against the Spurs.

After a 7-25 start, New Orleans has won seven of nine - including three of its last four on the road.

That surge has coincided with the return of Eric Gordon, who has averaged a team-high 17.4 points since debuting after offseason knee surgery. Gordon had 24 to lead the Hornets past the Spurs earlier this month.

New Orleans has averaged 106.8 points and shot 33 of 84 (39.3 percent) from beyond the arc in their last four, but is likely to have a tougher time against the Spurs.

San Antonio has limited the Hornets to 11 of 46 (23.9 percent) shooting from 3-point range this season. Ryan Anderson, who's hit an NBA-high 125 3-pointers, is 6 of 18 against the Spurs while averaging just 12.0 points.

Duncan had 24 points and 17 rebounds and Tony Parker added 20 points as the Spurs closed on a 15-3 run to win their fifth straight, 90-85 at Philadelphia on Monday.

"When you've been playing a long time, and you have a great coach, you know what to do," Parker said.

Parker had 25 points to lead the Spurs to a 99-94 victory on Dec. 21 in the most recent home meeting with the Hornets.

While the Spurs rank near the top of the NBA in scoring (104.0) and 3-point percentage (38.2), they've averaged just 95.3 points and shot 16 for 59 (27.1 percent) from beyond the arc against the Hornets.

Spurs beat Hornets without Duncan, Popovich

Posted Jan 24 2013 12:44AM

SAN ANTONIO (AP) The San Antonio Spurs have fought through various injuries to key players this season. Missing coach Gregg Popovich almost proved too much for them to overcome.

Tony Parker had 24 points and 13 assists, and the Spurs rallied for a 106-102 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night, overcoming the absence of Popovich and Tim Duncan for their 15th straight win at home.

Duncan's absence was noticeable, but Popovich's was more glaring - or less menacing, to be precise. Coach Mike Budenholzer's substitution pattern differed slightly than his boss', but the main difference were fewer glares and screams following missed defensive assignments - and Popovich may have screamed himself hoarse in the first half when New Orleans shot 63 percent from the field.

"If (Popovich) was here, there would have been some people fired," Stephen Jackson said.

Popovich did not feel well all day, but waited until two hours before tipoff to miss the game, Budenholzer said. His absence caught everyone by surprise.

"Pop's a warrior," Jackson said. "Pop might be the only person who's tougher than me. I've never known him not to be here; but wherever he is, I hope he's well. I know he pulled his hair out watching this game, but we got a win."

Tiago Splitter had 25 points and added seven rebounds. Jackson scored 15 points, Danny Green 12 and Manu Ginobili nine for San Antonio (34-11).

Eric Gordon scored 17 points for New Orleans (14-28). Ryan Anderson added 16 points, Greivis Vasquez 15 and Jason Smith 13.

The Spurs trailed most of the game with Popovich, Duncan (sore left knee) and Kawhi Leonard (left patella bruise) all sitting out.

The Hornets made their first five attempts, missed a pair on one possession and then proceeded to make their next five in taking a 31-21 lead with 3:30 left in the first quarter.

"You have to give (New Orleans) a lot of credit for the first half," Budenholzer said. "A lot of guys were making shots. I don't think our defense was great, but give credit to New Orleans to how good they were. Our focus offensively, we moved the ball well in the first half and our focus defensively the second half was excellent."

San Antonio picked up its defensive intensity in the second half, especially midway through the fourth. The Spurs came up with three turnovers and forced four missed shots, resulting in a 12-3 run for a 101-89 lead with 2 minutes left in the game.

"We were a little bit tired in the first half," Parker said. "I felt like we had no energy. Then in the fourth quarter, Danny Green did a great job on Gordon. We were able to run the fast break and get some easy baskets and everybody got going."

The Hornets closed within three points twice in the final minute on layups by Xavier Henry and Brian Roberts, but could get no closer. New Orleans coach Monty Williams, a former Spurs player and assistant coach, said San Antonio didn't steal the win.

"No, they beat us," Williams said. "That's what they do. They beat you if you make mistakes and we made too many. They missed 11 free throws and we still couldn't win the game."

Parker, who finished with only one turnover in 36 minutes, had 10 points while shooting 5 for 5 in the final quarter.

The Spurs held the Hornets to 38 percent shooting in the second half while improving to 19-2 at home this season.

Parker's layup gave the Spurs a 72-70 lead, their first since leading 9-8 2 minutes into the game. The advantage was short-lived, as the Hornets went on a 7-0 run.

Ginobili, making his first start after missing three games with a strained hamstring, had five points in the final quarter.

"It was huge that Manu played," Parker said. "Even if it was for 15 or 16 minutes, it was big minutes. He looked good. He didn't go full speed. I think he was trying it (hamstring) and testing it. In Dallas (on Friday), he's going to get more aggressive."

San Antonio started 4 for 11 on free throws, but offset it somewhat by going 7 for 16 on 3-pointers.

Splitter scored eight of the Spurs' first 10 points, with Parker picking up assists on three of the layups. Splitter drew two fouls on top draft pick Anthony Davis in his run.

NOTES: Duncan missed only his second game of the season due to injury. Duncan first sat out Nov. 29 in Miami, along with Ginobili, Parker and Green. The quartet was sent home by Popovich, leading the NBA to fine the Spurs $250,000 for what Commissioner David Stern termed a "disservice to the league and our fans." . San Antonio signed Australian national team member Aron Baynes, a 6-foot-10 post. Contract terms were undisclosed. Baynes was averaging 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds for Union Olimpija of the Slovenian Basketball League prior to signing with the Spurs. . Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington and players Ian Kinsler, Derek Holland, Josh Lindblom Brandon Snyder were in attendance. They were in San Antonio to promote the "Big League Weekend," a two-game, spring-training series against the San Diego Padres at the Alamodome. The series marks the first baseball games at the Alamodome, the former home of the Spurs. . Houston Astros players Brett Wallace and Jose Altuve were in attendance as part of the team's Winter CAREavan to promote their upcoming season, their first in the American League. Unlike the Rangers, who were sitting in box seats on the second level, the Astros were sitting courtside.

Notebook: Spurs 106, Hornets 102

Tim Price, for NBA.com
Posted Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:19 AM - Updated Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:19 AM

THE FACTS: Depleted by the absences of coach Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan, assistant coach Mike Budenholzer called the shots and Tiago Splitter made them with a career-high 25 points off 10-for-11 shooting to lead the Spurs to a 106-102 victory over pesky New Orleans on Wednesday at AT&T Center.

With Kawhi Leonard (left knee contusion) also on the sideline, the Spurs (34-11) managed to win for the sixth time in a row and 15th straight at home. Popovich stayed home with an illness and Duncan was held out for precautionary reasons when his left knee became sore.

Eric Gordon led New Orleans (14-28) with 17 points, but all those came in the first half when he was nearly perfect (5-for-6 from the floor including 3-for-3 from the 3-point line and 4-for-4 from the foul line). He took two shots after halftime and had three turnovers.

QUOTABLE: "With Coach Pop not here and Timmy (Duncan) getting some rest, it was hard. I think everybody played hard tonight to take advantage of the minutes and win the game. My game was working. I was rolling to the basket, and Tony (Parker) found me every time."
-- Splitter

THE STAT: The Hornets went 11-for-13 to start the game and 27-for-68 (39.7 percent) the rest of the way. Additionally, the Spurs turned the ball over 19 times the last time the teams met (New Orleans won 95-88 on Jan. 7). Tonight they had one turnover at halftime and finished with nine, outscoring New Orleans 21-11 off turnovers.

TURNING POINT: San Antonio led 87-86 with 5 1/2 minutes to go when two goaltending calls against Al-Farouq Aminu were keys for the Spurs' fastbreak helping to build a double-digit margin in a span of less than four minutes. The Spurs converted on all five fast-break opportunities in the fourth, and four came in that 14-3 run that gave them a 101-89 lead with 1:42 left.

QUOTABLE II: "We had one quarter where we played a little bit of defense, but I think they just missed shots. They beat us. That's what they do. They missed 11 free throws and we still couldn't win the game."
-- Hornets coach Monty Williams

HOT: Duncan had gone 22-for-40 in three games this season against New Orleans, so Splitter took over the inside presence tonight. Throw out a 4-for-9 night on Monday in Philly and Splitter now is 30-for-38 in a four-game span.

NOT: Gordon wasn't the only Hornets player that was cold in the second half. Other than Greivis Vasquez (4-for-10), the Hornets starters went 1-for-12 after halftime.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Parker helped Splitter pick up the slack without Duncan. Parker scored 24 points and had a season-high 13 assists. He's had a double-double in two of the past three games (he had 20 points and eight assists in the other game).

GOOD MOVE: Robin Lopez started for the Hornets, but the Spurs got Splitter involved early by picking on Lopez. Splitter was 3-for-3 in the first quarter when San Antonio outscored New Orleans 20-10 in the paint. Lopez played seven minutes in the first quarter and seven more minutes the rest of the game.

BAD MOVE: Besides the two goaltending calls against Aminu that opened up the game for San Antonio in the fourth quarter, he also got caught out of place in transition that led to another San Antonio fastbreak basket in the final five minutes. Danny Green stole Gordon, and Gary Neal brought it up the floor and dropped it to Stephen Jackson. He appeared ready to float one from the 3-point line, but Vasquez drifted toward Neal, leaving the lane open when Aminu couldn't protect the lane in transition.

ROOKIE WATCH: Anthony Davis started for the Hornets and played almost 31 minutes after a left ankle sprain limited him to 15 minutes two nights ago against Sacramento. His ankle appeared fine tonight, but he picked up two fouls in the opening 2:45 and went to the bench. He finished with nine points, seven rebounds, one blocked shot and four fouls.

IN THE ARENA: Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington and members of the club's front office had box-level seats. Players from the Houston Astros -- pitcher Brett Wallace and infielders Tyler Greene, Jose Altuve and Marwin Gonzalez -- we're not outdone. They sat courtside.

NOTABLE: The Spurs won the season series with the Hornets 3-1. ... San Antonio has a league-best 19-2 home record.

UP NEXT: For the Hornets, Friday vs. Houston, Sunday @ Memphis, Tuesday @ L.A. Lakers. For the Spurs, Friday @ Dallas, Saturday vs. Phoenix, Wednesday vs. Charlotte.

• Hornets: Miller
• Spurs: Baynes, Duncan, Leonard

• Hornets: --
• Spurs: --

• Lead Changes: 11
• Times Tied: 7

• Arena: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
• Officials: #41 Ken Mauer, #34 Kevin Cutler, #16 David Guthrie
• Attendance: 17511
• Duration: 2:10