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Editor's Note: Because I was unable to get an internet connection during tonight's game in San Antonio, I kept a running LFTPB while watching the game and posted it afterwards. Consider this like the Pacific time zone edition of "Saturday Night Live" - it's not live for you, but it once was. I've even left in (most of) the typos.
Spurs Win
Posted at 9:36 p.m.
The Spurs finish off a 20-point win 103-81. But in the second half, the Sonics outscored San Antonio 46-41. If I'm Nate McMillan, I'm reminding my team in the locker room of Game 1 of the best-of-five series these teams played three years ago. The Sonics last that game by 21 points, but three nights later they came back and, with a few key adjustments, took Game 2 before heading home. These Sonics can do the same thing.
No Hurry
Posted at 9:31 p.m.
These referees obviously don't have a plane to catch. By my calculations, we've shot 18 free throws in the fourth quarter. (13 of those, incidentally, have been taken by the Spurs.)
Big Dog
Posted at 9:27 p.m.
Glenn Robinson has a knack for hitting shots out of a loose-ball situation. He did it with a key 3-pointer late in Game 5 against the Nuggets, hit a 3 like that earlier tonight and just now caught a deflected ball and coolly sunk a jumper. Vitaly Potapenko drew a flagrant foul for a hit on Tony Parker, but I must confess I didn't see that much contact.
Allen Out
Posted at 9:31 p.m.
I'm somewhat bemused to report that, more than two quarters after he left the game, we've just been handed an Injury Report indicating Ray Allen will not return. It's his right ankle that's bothering him, by the way. Rashard Lewis knocks down a jumper on a set play out of the timeout and now has a Sonics-high 19 points. Glenn Robinson giving the Spurs some scoring off the bench - he's got 12 points.
Lewis Rolling
Posted at 9:31 p.m.
As we hit the under-six media timeout, fans are beginning to stream out of the SBC Center. I think the Sonics have sent something of a message with their performance in this second half. I really like this fourth quarter by Rashard Lewis, who was 4-for-13 entering the period. Despite working against Bruce Bowen, Lewis is 3-for-3 from the field and has six points. We haven't mentioned Antonio Daniels' name yet, but Daniels has scored 13 points off the bench and has been very solid.
Spurs Turnovers
Posted at 9:11 p.m.
One thing the Sonics can feel good about tonight is the job they've done forcing turnovers. San Antonio has turned it over 18 times, which is more than the Spurs committed at any time during the First Round series with Denver. The Sonics have turned it over 13 times, but only thrice since halftime.
Nick Collison is giving some very nice minutes of the bench. He's got 9 points on 4-for-5 shooting and has added three rebounds.
Really?
Posted at 9:06 p.m.
Do I hear a few boobirds at the SBC Center after an errant pass by Beno Udrih?
Lewis Back
Posted at 9:04 p.m.
Good to see Rashard Lewis back on the court. He'll start the fourth quarter alongside Nick Collison, Antonio Daniels, Luke Ridnour and Damien Wilkins.
Nice Shot, Nick
Posted at 9:01 p.m.
The shot of the night goes to Sonics rookie Nick Collison. After Luke Ridnour stripped Beno Udrih, Collison ended up with the ball and quickly launched it from just about the Spurs free-throw line. It found the glass and banked in, the first 3-pointer of Collison's NBA career. With the shot, the Sonics are within 18 after three quarters, 75-57. Great scrappy quarter by the Sonics in the third period.
Change the Channel
Posted at 8:56 p.m.
A Spurs fan has a sign that says "Always Believe in Champions" (ABC). Only one problem: Today's game is on TNT, not ABC. Lewis has made his way to the bench and it looks like he's going to be okay. But that's easy for me to say.
Lewis Down
Posted at 8:54 p.m.
Rashard Lewis stumbles off the court and falls on the Sonics baseline. It looked from here like he was holding a hip. The Sonics medical staff is attending to him as Nate McMillan calls a quick 20-second timeout. Change that to a full timeout.
A Hush
Posted at 8:50 p.m.
A hush falls over the SBC Center crowd. An injury? A lineup change? No, it's the Diamond Shamrock dot race. For the record, red is your winner.
Role Reversal
Posted at 8:49 p.m.
The first-half key stats have reversed themselves in this quarter. The Sonics lead 5-0 in second-chance points and 4-0 in fast-break points. As a result, they also lead the quarter 14-10. There's still a lot of margin for error for the Spurs but the Sonics can feel good about how they've played in the second half.
Like Lightning (Which We Had in San Antonio Today)
Posted at 8:41 p.m.
The dominant theme of tonight's game is Tony Parker's quickness. Even though he didn't score on his last foray into the lane and in fact had his shot blocked by Jerome James, Parker still dazzled, beating three Sonics defenders with a spin move to get to the basket. The Sonics are scrapping right now, but they're limited in terms of firepower with two of their best offensive players in the locker room.
And yes, for the record, we did bring some rain to San Antonio with us. There was a flash downpour during the afternoon accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Pop Angry
Posted at 8:37 p.m.
Gregg Popovich is clearly not happy with the way the Spurs have started the second half. He calls a quick timeout after a Reggie Evans fast-break dunk (the Sonics first fast-break points?) Popovich is not one who likes to see his team let up at any point.
KJR's Matt "Stretch" Johnson passes along that Allen tweaked an ankle. Not sure of anything beyond that.
Allen Out
Posted at 8:30 p.m.
Ray Allen only played one minute in the second quarter, which I attributed to … well, I'm not really sure what I attributed it to. But with Allen not coming out to start the second half (he's been replaced by Flip Murray), it's obvious something is up.
Allen was not listed on the injury report we received at halftime regarding Vladimir Radmanovic.
Halftime Stats
Posted at 8:25 p.m.
A couple of things leap off the halftime box score: Second-chance points and fast-break points. Both categories favor the Spurs, 13-1 in second-chance points and 9-0 in fast-break points. Both can't continue for the Sonics. They need to exploit their usual domination on the offensive glass, while Nate McMillan has spoken at length about the need to get early offense and not play a half-court game against the Spurs.
The official halftime stats on the scoreboard have the old green and red Sonics logo. What's up with that?
Actual ad for one of the local news programs tomorrow: "Dirty Ice" - apparently the ice in drinks at local restaurants could make you sick. I'll plan accordingly for the rest of the trip.
Vlade Doubtful
Posted at 8:20 p.m.
It's a sprained right ankle for Vladimir Radmanovic. He is doubtful to return tonight. Given the state of the game, I doubt the Sonics will push his health. It's more important to have him for Game 2.
Recycled Comment
Posted at 8:15 p.m.
Our halftime entertainment is "Recycled Percussion". I couldn't figure that one out when I read it in the media notes, but now it makes sense - their percussion is made with "recycled" products - mostly paint buckets, it would appear. Not too bad.
Halftime
Posted at 8:10 p.m.
Tony Parker sends us to halftime with a running layup just before the buzzer. This first half belonged to Parker and Tim Duncan, who combined for 36 points on 14-for-21 shooting. Together, the two of them outscored the Sonics. San Antonio shot 57.5% to the Sonics 40.5% and owned the glass 26-13. No Sonics player scored double-figures after Ray Allen was held scoreless in the second quarter. There's a lot of ground to make up for the Sonics, but the more important thing at this point is probably getting the taste out of that first half out of their mouths and feeling good going into Game 2.
Sonics Frustrated
Posted at 7:57 p.m.
Frustration beginning to set in for the Sonics. After Antonio Daniels was hammered driving the lane and got no call, Rashard Lewis fouled out of frustration on the next possession and Nate McMillan was assessed a T afterwards. The Spurs are now getting a lift from Glenn Robinson, who has six points and nailed a big second-chance 3-pointer.
17 points and seven rebounds for Tim Duncan. Is he making an MVP statement on the day Steve Nash won the award?
Ray Allen, incidentally, agreed with the choice.
"I'm very excited for Nash," Allen said before the game. "He's worked hard his whole career.
"There's no more deserving player in the league."
Spurs Rolling
Posted at 7:54 p.m.
KJR's David Locke has talked about the "quantum leap" in opponent the Sonics are taking in going from the Kings to the Spurs. I think the Sonics are feeling it right now. The loose balls Sacramento didn't get, the plays they didn't execute, the cuts they didn't stop … San Antonio is doing all of those things and more. As a result, the Spurs now hold a 20-point lead, 48-28. Especially surprising has been the Spurs board dominance. The Sonics grabbed only four rebounds in the first quarter and have been outboarded 19-10 for the game.
Wilkins' Shot
Posted at 7:47 p.m.
Looking for a spark and down Vladimir Radmanovic, Nate McMillan will try Damien Wilkins. The Sonics rookie had a very good game the last time the Sonics were in San Antonio, scoring 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting, and will try to give the Sonics that same lift tonight.
Vlade Down
Posted at 7:44 p.m.
Very bad news for the Sonics, with Vladimir Radmanovic going down on the Sonics last play. He is being helped off the floor by Sonics centers Danny Fortson and Jerome James and will head directly to the locker room. Watching a replay, it doesn't look like Radmanovic's foot made contact with the foot of the man he was defending (Brent Barry), but he plated and went down.
I Need More … Maraca?
Posted at 7:41 p.m.
The trademark of ARCO Arena in Sacramento is the cowbells rung by the fans. The SBC Center's answer to that is … maracas. The fans here in the "Baseline" Bums below us at the top of the 100 level - an organized group that spots nametags and jerseys - have basketball-shaped maracas (a previous giveaway, perhaps?) that they are not shy about shaking.
During the timeout, we were informed that San Antonio has "the best fans in the NBA." Clearly, that's an unbiased opinion.
After One Quarter
Posted at 7:34 p.m.
For the first time I can remember, a play was actually overturned by the NBA's quarter-end replay; Rashard Lewis tipped in Jerome James' miss just after the first-quarter buzzer. It was initially counted by Bennett Salvatore, but that ruling was changed, to the delight of the SBC Center crowd.
After the ruling, it's 35-22 San Antonio. Pretty much everything is playing out the way the Spurs would like, other than Ray Allen shooting well (4-for-7). Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan have combined for 30 of San Antonio's 35 points. They're shooting a sizzling 10-for-12 from the field combined. The Sonics are actually at a fine 52.6% despite having to play half-court offense the entire period.
Sonics Foul Trouble
Posted at 7:27 p.m.
With Nick Collison and Danny Fortson already with two fouls, Jerome James returns to the Sonics lineup. I think we're going to see some Vitaly Potapenko in the middle tonight. 11 free throws already for the Spurs, of which they've hit nine. Of course, there's also shooting 62.5% from the field, so maybe those free throws aren't as bad as they seem.
Slow Start for Radmanovic
Posted at 7:24 p.m.
A troubling sign for the Sonics is that Vladimir Radmanovic has started slowly, missing his first three shots frm the perimeter. The Sonics may need Radmanovic's ability to space the floor in order to be able to beat the San Antonio defense. Right now, the Sonics issues are more on defense, where the Spurs are living in the paint. Nate McMillan talked before this series about staying in front of the San Antonio guards, but that's easier said than don for every NBA team. Manu Ginobili already has eight points off the bench as San Antonio leads it 28-16.
Sonics Counter-Punch
Posted at 7:18 p.m.
After to straight Sonics scores, time out San Antonio. Here's betting the fans won't be standing through this one. The Sonics have started to find some holes in the Spurs defense; Ray Allen is now up to eight points, while Rashard Lewis has contributed four. The Spurs have had Nazr Mohammed open in the paint repeatedly, but the Sonics have been successful at tipping away the passes intended for him.
The Spurs wish a Happy Mother's Day during that last timeout, and a special Mother's Day shoutout to my own mom, reading at home in Seattle. Thanks for everything - I wouldn't be here without you in any number of ways. And a Happy Mother's Day to the rest of the mothers reading a home.
Manu In
Posted at 7:12 p.m.
Manu Ginobili (and Robert Horry) into the game for the Spurs. Tim Duncan is coming out surprisingly early, which will put pressure on Ginobili to contribute right away. An offensive foul call that went against Ray Allen seems to have provided a little extra motivation. He had two straight scores before turning the ball over on the last possession.
Luke Ridnour dribbles right up to the Sonics bench to get the playcall from Nate McMillan, which should give you an idea of how loud it is in here.
Spurs Start Strong
Posted at 7:08 p.m.
Less than three minutes into the game, San Antonio leads it 9-2 after a runout layup by Brent Barry. I don't think this start surprises the Sonics. They knew the Spurs were going to come out amped up with their home crowd behind the. The key is for the Sonics to weather the storm and not panic. That's exactly what they did a week ago tonight when they came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena. The SBC Center crowd mostly stands through the entire timeout. There is definitely a playoff atmosphere in this building.
Bad Omen
Posted at 7:06 p.m.
Three-point play for Tony Parker to start the game. Needless to say, that's not the start Nate McMillan was looking for. The Sonics come back patiently with Rashard Lewis in the post, but the Spurs get a Nazr Mohammed offensive board and a Parker layup. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm scared to death of Mohammed on the offensive glass. I should be scared to death of Parker, who has all seven San Antonio points thus far.
Pregame Notes
Posted at 7:04 p.m.
As expected, this San Antonio crowd saved its loudest boos for Ray Allen.
Interesting thing before the game - the Spurs had flags of France (Tony Parker), the Virgin Islands (Tim Duncan), Argentina (Manu Ginobili), Slovenia (Beno Udrih) and New Zealand (Sean Marks, who is not on the playoff roster) out before the game along with a Spurs flag. They are really embracing their multiculturality.
As was true the last time I was here, the volume on the PA system is turned way way up and, combined with some of the NBA's best fans, it is loud in here.
Barry Starting
Posted at 7:00 p.m.
A bit of a surprise from tonight's pre-game media availability, with Gregg Popovich announcing that Brent Barry will remain in the starting lineup instead of being replaced by Manu Ginobili for this series, as expected.
"It doesn't surprise me," said Sonics Coach Nate McMillan. "I felt like he could have gone either way."
Realistically, the move shouldn't have a major impact, as Ginobili will still play heavily, but it does give the Sonics a favorable matchup with Barry expected to start the game defending Rashard Lewis. Lewis has four inches on Barry and will be in the post.
"We can't be forcing the ball," said McMillan. "We can't be throwing it into traps or traffic."
Signing On
Posted at 6:50 p.m.
Today we are both Live From The Press Box and Live From San Antonio as the Sonics open the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. I talked to a couple of other reporters, and the thinking seemed to be fairly unanimous: We're out of questions, we're out of stories after three full days of pre-game buildup. Everyone is ready for the action on the floor to start, and we're a couple of minutes away from that right now. The SBC Center is filling up and the "Baseline Bums" behind me are already starting to get loud. We're all looking forward to a thriller, so stay with us all night long and don't forget to hit refresh to make sure you're getting the latest.
