SPURS: Spurs Fanalyst Blog : Spurs vs Sonics : Round 2, Game 2

Welcome to the Spurs Fanalyst Blog! Check this page during the game for an unoffical and unobjective (and un-spell checked!) take on the game from a fans-eye view of the action in the SBC Center! And you can join in the action by emailing the fanalysts your comments!

Round 2, Game 2 - May 10, 2005

Dan Sonics Barry'd
Final: Spurs 108, Sonics 91
The Sonics were making a run in the 4th quarter - cutting the 17 point lead to 10 in a matter of seconds - their confidence was building...they were given hope. Tony Parker held a fist above his head as he signaled the play to this teammates...every Spur started moving accordingly...Manu was out on the wing and darted toward the basket without the ball....Tony passed to Brent Barry who swished his three-point attempt as Manu ran under the basket to catch the ball falling out of the net. It was a big shot that seemed to muffle the Sonics in Game 2.

Dan Next Thing You Know
4th Quarter: Spurs 91, Sonics 81
The lead is cut to 10 - the Sonics are in no way out of this game - the Spurs are still holding down their 3-point shooting (4-14) and have 8 more assists but as long as the Sonics' offensive rebounds give them extra chances, the Spurs will need some big shots of their own to stay in front.

Dan A Sinking Sensation
4th Quarter: Spurs 79, Sonics 65
The Spurs are having that good sinking sensation - the feeling you get when your shots are falling. They look to be pulling away from Seattle tonight and have opened a 17 point lead. Brent Barry is in for Bowen who has 5 fouls.

Dan Three's Company
4th Quarter: Spurs 79, Sonics 65
Three Spurs are now in double-digits for the night. Tim, Tony, and Manu. In the playoffs they are averaging a combined 62.7 points per game. By my math (warning: my math led me to asking for a 2.3 million dollar return on my taxes this year) ... they have 58 points so far.

John Lead The Way
4th Quarter - Spurs 79, Sonics 65
Ray Allen is getting his points tonight, but it doens't seem to being making much of a difference as the Spurs take in a 14 point lead into the fourth quarter. As shown to the right, his efforts are not going unappreciated here at the SBC Center tonight.

Dan There's Something About Nazr
4th Quarter: Spurs 79, Sonics 65
Nazr Mohammed is up to 10 rebounds for the game. Spurs fans may have grown used to him putting up such numbers but tonight reminds us how crucial his rebounds are as the Spurs are currently trailing 31-30 in the rebounding battle.

Dan It Ain't Easy
3rd Quarter: Spurs 72, Sonics 63
Some games are like kung fu movies... stay with me here... I mean they are all swift, slick moves and quickness ...all precision and practice... but then there are some games that are like a Rocky movie. Tonight's game is shaping up to be such a game - one of endurance and withstanding runs and big shots. The Spurs are up by 9 with 2:45 remaining and take the court for some Manu free throws. The Spurs have suddenly gone cold from the line and will need those points if Seattle keeps sinking their outside shots.

Dan Glitch In the Matrix
3rd Quarter: Spurs 70, Sonics 56
After a short journey through the dreaded real world, the Fanalysts are back online and in cyberspace...ahhhh home sweet home. The Spurs are trading buckets with the Sonics here in the 3rd and maintaining a double-digit lead. A lot of the Spurs talk between games was focused on the 3rd quarter of Game 1 when they only scored 13 points.
Both teams are attacking the basket now and bodies are starting to hit the floor. As Bruce Bowen is called for his 4th foul, the crowd is getting loud again.

Dan An Argentinian Tale
Halftime: Spurs 54, Sonics 42
Manu Ginobili was on fire in the first half with 18 points on 6 of 7 shooting. He also recorded 2 assists and one crowd-pleasing dunk on #34... The Spurs are shooting an impressive 91.7% from the free throw line tonight (11/12) and still above 50% from the floor. So how did the Sonics close in on San Antonio in the 2nd quarter? Could it be rebounds? The teams are tied 21-21 at the half and Seattle has 9 offensive boards.

Dan Must Be Trippin'
2nd Quarter: Spurs 54, Sonics 42
The Sonics have taken a lot of trips to the line this quarter and have narrowed the Spurs lead to single digits a few times. Bruce Bowen is in foul trouble tonight and the Spurs will definitely need him in the 2nd half on Allen. This will mean extended minutes from Brent Barry against his former team in the 3rd quarter.

John Spiller!
2nd Quarter - Spurs 46, Sonics 35
Being a font row fan at a NBA game can be hazerdous. At any time a player can going flying into the crowd and knock over your frosty beverage which runs almost a dollar an ounce. It's a tough job, but thankfully jeans were made to spilled on. Even when Sonic Flip Murray causes that spill.

Dan Game Makers
2nd Quarter: Spurs 42, Sonics 31
The Sonics are closing in on the Spurs here in the 2nd half as San Antonio have been plagued by turnovers...7 so far this game. This reminds me of that line in the Godfather: "Just when I think I'm out...they pull me back in."

Dan Guest Starring
2nd Quarter: Spurs 42, Sonics 31
It looks like some Silver Stars are in attendance tonight to cheer on the Spurs. I don't have a great vantage point but it looks like Tai Dillard, Cathrine Kraayeveld are here along with Shyra Ely and Lindsey Yamasaki. The Stars season opener is May 21st against the Houston Comets...

Dan Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
2nd Quarter: Spurs 38, Sonics 22
The Spurs may be in need of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy after this game because right now they're playing out of this world. The Spurs are getting it done close to the basket and are slicing right through the Sonics defense and finding guys cutting along the baseline. With the Spurs shooting over 55% from the field, the Sonics aren't able to get downcourt in a hurry before the Spurs defense has time to set up. One other note of interest...fans at the SBC Center are being vocal when Ray Allen touches the ball... maybe they're saying BooooUrns. (fans of The Simpsons should recognize that joke).

John Not Free As A Bird
1st Quarter - Spurs 35, Sonics 22
Here's something I didn't expect to mention almost half way thru the second quarter, the Spurs are 1-of-2 from the free throw line. Yep. That's all. Only 2 attempts from the charity stripe.

John First Blood
1st Quarter - Spurs 28, Sonics 16
In the series so far, in the Spurs have outscored the Sonics 63-38 in the first quarter. Coach Pop and the gang all talked between Games 1 & 2 about keeping their focus, espcially when they had a big lead. We soon may get a chance to find out if they can back up those words.

Dan Days Of Thunder
1st Quarter: Spurs 28, Sonics 16
The SBC Center is down right thunderous, which is to be expected when there is eletricity on the court. The Spurs maintain their 12 point lead at the end of the first quarter and every play seems to be highlight worthy. Ok, so maybe I'm a little biased but still... A Tim Duncan dunk...a Tony Parker dunk (you read that right)... and a big time Glenn Robinson block on the perimeter followed by a buzzer beater from the Big Dog. So much to cheer for in only 12 minutes.

Dan And BOOm Goes the Dynamite
1st Quarter: Spurs 20, Sonics 8
Someone set a spark ...guess who. Manu! (that rhymes, trust me) ... the Spurs are up 12 in the 1st and Manu Ginobili is 3 for 3 from the field for 8 points. He rifled in a pass to Tony for a sweet reverse layup that forced a Sonics timeout. The place is rockin' now as the Coyote comes out to dunk up a storm.

John Trophy Love
1st Quarter - Spurs 20, Sonics 8
There is a new twist of color on the team benches here at the SBC Center. It appears to be Sonic yellow, but it actually a trophy gold reminder of when the NBA Finals will begin (June 2005). Not that I need reminding of when they begin or am holding on to my vacation time until July....

Dan You Never Get A Second Chance (To Make A First Impression)
1st Quarter: Spurs 13, Sonics 8
The offensive rebound is ruling this game so far. We've seen a number of put-backs already. The Spurs have 4 OR's alongside Seattle's 3 and it doesn't show signs of slowing down. The Sonics are shooting just 27.3% early in the game but are showing a lot of activity offensively and are keeping the Spurs moving. Endurance is being tested tonight...

John Tweety Bird
1st Quarter - Spurs 2, Sonics 4
With just 21 seconds off of the clock Luke Ridnour picked up the first foul of the game. That seems awful quick. Maybe a playoff record. The second foul came rather quick also when a whistle blew on the Spurs with over 11:00 minutes to go in the first. Maybe the refs are going to be weary of the physicality here in Game 2.

Dan "Uh oh...Happy learned how to putt."
Pregame
The Spurs have certainly stepped it up this postseason. While the team came into the playoffs shooting 72.4% from the free throw line, they have upped that to 76.8% in the playoffs. Tim Duncan has certainly been doing his part...his free throw shooting has jumped from 67% to 78%

Dan Fanalyst Challenge
Pregame
Yesterday at Spurs practice Tony Parker talked about the key to victory for the Spurs...
We just have to make sure we don’t give them any hope, any confidence and just play the same way, aggressive and take care of the transition and the boards and I think we’ll be ok.
In the words of the Borg from Star Trek (geek test!) "Resistance is futile." ... I think it's time for another fanalsyst challenge. Every post will have some reference to film or television just to shake things up. So send in your comments during the game - are you up to the challenge?

Dan Y'all Ready For This?
Pregame
The Express-News blimp is streaking across SBC Center airspace, and the thumping of cheersticks can be heard scattered around the place....you know what that means. It's (almost) Game Time. The Spurs and Sonics are back at it tonight and the big news of pregame is that Ray Allen will play. I expect gusty winds out of the northwest tonight as Sonics fans breathe a sigh of relief. The attention is back on the matchup between Ray and Bruce. That would be a good idea for a reality tv show, filming them as they share an loft apartment and compete in challenges like movie trivia and head shaving.