Want to enjoy the electricity of being Live at the Hardwood even if you're thousands of miles away? SUPERSONICS.COM's Live From the Press Box in-game blog is your best bet. All night and all season long, Kevin Pelton will be bringing you pregame Q&As and observations from the game. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
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.
It's a Wrap
Posted at 11:11 p.m.
108-91 your final, as the Spurs take Game 2 of this Western Conference Semifinals series. But that score probably doesn't appropriately indicate how close this game was, as the Sonics were a good-sized run away from making things very interesting all the way through the last three minutes. Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Antonio Daniels with solid games for the Sonics, but not a lot of contributions after that. A goal for Game 3 will be allowing Nick Collison to contribute with his heady play without being abused by Tim Duncan at the other end of the court, which was the problem during the fourth quarter tonight. Today's optimistic historical note is that the Spurs won Games 1 and 2 of their Semifinals series with the L.A. Lakers at the SBC Center a year ago, then proceeded to drop four straight games as the Lakers won the series.
About Over
Posted at 11:11 p.m.
Brent Barry's long two from the right baseline looks like the capper on this one. It puts San Antonio ahead 96-83 with 1:46 to play. Great fight from the Sonics tonight, but it was an evening on which the Spurs just had too many weapons. One of KJR's David Locke's questions before this series was, who do you try to stop - Duncan, Ginobili or Parker? Well, tonight the Sonics have stopped none of them. All three have 20+ points, and they've combined for 71 of San Antonio's 96. The fans here stood through that last timeout.
Supreme Confidence
Posted at 11:06 p.m.
I know this is an insanely late game - something I'm going to regret after a plane flight that takes nearly four hours - but I'm still stunned to see the Spurs fans pour out of the SBC Center as they are right now. San Antonio has things pretty well in hand, but this game is not over yet. There may be some drama left yet, especially if the Spurs struggle at the free-throw line (they've yet to shoot a free throw in the fourth quarter).
No Quit
Posted at 11:02 p.m.
The Sonics looked to be about done when Tim Duncan dunked home two points to give San Antonio a 17-point lead, but the Sonics are ready to concede nothing. They've got two straight scores to make it a 13-point game once again. An Antonio Daniels 3 cuts it to ten and disturbs the SBC Center crowd.
We Need a Run
Posted at 10:57 p.m.
The Spurs were on the ropes a little bit when the Sonics got it to 83-72 with a Rashard Lewis core in the lane a minute ago, but San Antonio has answered with scores by Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to push the lead to 87-72 as we head to a timeout with 5:55 to play and ray Allen heading to the free-throw line. The Sonics have played even with the Spurs since the middle of the second quarter, but after digging an early hole that's not good enough.
Do You Think They Realize?
Posted at 10:50 p.m.
That by paying so much attention to Ray Allen tonight, the Spurs fans here at the SBC Center are paying Ray Allen the ultimate sign of respect? Believe me, you don't make signs about role players. It's a treatment reserved for superstars
and, based on Allen's performance so far in the playoffs, he qualifies.
By the way, in case you were wondering whether the Sonics were missing Ray Allen, they spent the last minute or so playing with 6-4 Flip Murray at power forward. Yikes. Jerome James and Rashard Lewis step in to give the Sonics a little more size, though 6-5 Ray Allen remains at forward.
Achilles Heel
Posted at 10:45 p.m.
I hesitate to even mention this, as it probably won't be a factor in this game, but it's out there so.
San Antonio is a surprisingly mediocre team in close games, going 10-10 in games decided by five points or less. A big reason is free-throw shooting; the spurs shot only 72.4% from the lne for the season. Tonight they're 17-for-23 (73.9%) after an improbably good performance in Game 1. The Sonics, meanwhile, are 15-for-16 (93.8%).
Alas, only the energetic play of Nick Collison (nine points, five rebounds) is keeping the Sonics in the game right now. Tim Duncan (19 points, nine rebounds) is starting to make his presence felt for the Spurs. But Ray Allen is back in the game.
To The Fourth
Posted at 10:40 p.m.
Poor finish to the third quarter for the Sonics. They were within nine at 72-63, but San Antonio reeled off seven straight points - five by Parker - to push the lead as large as 16. Nick Collison got the last score of the period on a gorgeous reverse layup, but it's still a 14-point margin in San Antonio's favor as we head towards the final period of play. The Sonics are certainly still alive, but they desperately need to come up with some stops and quickly.
French Lightning
Posted at 10:36 p.m.
Tony Parker put his speed on full display on the last play, racing over to steal a lazy pass intended for Ray Allen and then dashing the other direction to get fouled and knock down two free throws. Nate McMillan raved about Parker's speed before the game, remembering Parker's workout for the Sonics in the spring of 2001. The Sonics loved Parker, but he didn't last until their second-round picks (40 and 42). The Spurs snapped him up and the rest is history.
McMillan got off a great line about Parker before the game. Asked how long he'd been saying the Sonics needed to keep Parker out of the lane, McMillan responded, "When did he come into the league?"
Live From The Free-Throw Line
Posted at 10:32 p.m.
Say what you will about Ray Allen's comments about Bruce Bowen's playing style - and Spurs fans, who've come armed with signs like the one in front of me reading "R. Allen - Soft like Charmin!," have had plenty to say - but they've worked as he intended this evening. Bruce Bowen has been a non-factor in 12 minutes of play and Allen has shot eight free throws, hitting all eight of them to pad his total of 23 points.
I think I'm going to be hearing, "GOOOOOOO SPURS GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" in my sleep for weeks.
Shooter's Chance
Posted at 10:27 p.m.
The Sonics have not gotten the lead under double-digits during this third quarter and they trail by 13 with 3:54 to play after Tim Duncan can't complete a three-point play. But the Sonics have a shooter's chance in this game, and that shooter is Ray Allen. Allen now has 21 points and three 3-pointers on the evening, putting a slow start and his Game 1 sprained ankle in the rearview mirror.
Legit Beef
Posted at 10:22 p.m.
Tough to blame Tony Parker for complaining about a no-call on his last drive to the hoop. Parker came down holding his eye and replays clearly showed him getting raked across the eye (unintentionally, of course) by Sonics forward Reggie Evans. Naturally, the Spurs fans want the call Bruce Bowen draws his fourth foul defending ray Allen and is out of the game just two minutes after he entered it.
Gorgeous
Posted at 10:17 p.m.
If you want to know how to execute in the halfcourt, watch a tape of the Sonics last score. Ray Allen came off of at least two, possibly three screens and go the ball at the top of the key. He drove and floated a one-hand runner up and in. Ray now has 18 points - 14 of them in the last 7:35 of game time. Think he's feeling that ankle right now? The Sonics still need to put together some stops, as they trail 65-54 going to a timeout. Bruce Bowen replacing Manu Ginobili in the San Antonio lineup should make that easier.
Second-Half Switch
Posted at 10:14 p.m.
After his game-high 18 points in the first half, Manu Ginobili will come out to start the third quarter. That's not surprising. What is surprising is that he replaced not Brent Barry but instead Bruce Bowen, who picked up three fouls in the first half and wasn't tremendously effective. Some back and forth action to start this half as both teams seem to have found their offenses.
Random Halftime Sightings
Posted at 10:10 p.m.
After completing my nutritious hot dog.
Silver Stars Coach Dan Hughes, enjoying the buffet
Atlanta rookie Josh Childress.
Halftime
Posted at 9:50 p.m.
The margin in this game is exactly the same as it was after one quarter - 12 points - but I've got to say it sure feels a lot better right now. That's because the Sonics have found some offense from Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, who combined for 15 points in the second quarter as the Sonics got 26 as a team. If the Spurs cool down - and they may well not - the Sonics are very much in this game.
Allen Update
Posted at 9:45 p.m.
Ray Allen didn't score in the first 9:48 of this quarter, but a nice aggressive drive to the basket resulted in Bruce Bowen's third foul and two free throws for Allen. Rashard Lewis has heated up in this quarter, scoring eight of his 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting. As I type, Allen buries an off-balance three to give him nine points and make it an eight-point San Antonio lead. But the Spurs are still getting plenty on offense.
Pop on Adjustments
Posted at 9:41 p.m.
When he loosens up, Gregg Popovich can be pretty funny and interesting, as I found out before tonight's game. Popovich was at his best discussing adjustments, which he termed "BS". To Popovich, the key is the players and how they respond, and that merely gets credited (or blamed) on coaches. Pop even made light of his own decision to replace Manu Ginobili with Brent Barry during the Nuggets series.
Finding a Groove
Posted at 9:38 p.m.
Just like that, an Antonio Daniels three-point play and two fast-break layups, the Sonics are on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 11 points. Gregg Popovich calls timeout and the Spurs fans seem dismayed and perplexed. On the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of reaction is a lone Sonics fan in a Rashard Lewis jersey sitting a couple of sections to my left and annoying the heck out of the fans around him.
All-Star Level
Posted at 9:32 p.m.
You know when you're playing Madden or NBA Live and you go from playing on Rookie level to All-Star? Everything is so much faster, so much better executed. Well, that basically sums up the first one and a third games of this series for the Sonics. In Game 5 against Sacramento, the Sonics ran up 122 points. In five and a half quarters against the Spurs, so far they have 105. It would take a pretty impressive run to get to 122 for the series by halftime. And don't underestimate how much Vladimir Radmanovic's absence is hurting the Sonics right now. They're forced to come back with Reggie Evans at power forward right now and Evans obviously isn't going to stretch a defense like Vlade could. With the Sonics shooting 30.3%, they could use Radmanovic's presence. But that's basketball.
Breakin'
Posted at 9:26 p.m.
The horrible thing about the Spurs as an opponent is that, as good as they are in half-court sets, particularly at the defensive end of the court, they're an extremely good fast-breaking team as well. When you shoot 28.6% from the field, there are going to be a lot of runout opportunities. Lo and behold, the Spurs have 12 fast-break points already after getting 10 in all of Game 1.
Flippin'
Posted at 9:22 p.m.
Flip Murray is in for the first time tonight, and with the Sonics All-Stars both struggling with their shots, the Sonics could really use Murray to find a flow in this game. Yesterday after practice, Murray shaved his head. One reporter asked in the locker room if he was going for "the Ray Allen look," prompting some good-natured joking about how other shaved players, including Shaquille O'Neal (playing on TNT at the time) are also going with "the Ray Allen look".
Through One Quarter
Posted at 9:15 p.m.
Well, the good news is the Sonics are closer than they were in Game 1. The bad news is they still trail by 12 points, 28-16, after Glenn Robinson hit a backbreaking buzzer-beater. But the good news is San Antonio shot 54.2% in the first quarter, the Sonics only 26.1%. While the Spurs force opponents to put up a lot of ugly numbers like that, differences of the magnitude of the first quarter's have a tendency to even up to some extent or another over the course of the evening. Sonics All-Stars Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis were a combined 2-for-10 in the first quarter.
Fast-break Perfection
Posted at 9:13 p.m.
Picture-perfect fast break by the Spurs as Manu Ginobili took the outlet, faked out Ray Allen, pitched to Beno Udrih, who waited for Tim Duncan to fill the lane and fed the trailing big man for the layup. Y'know, there's a reason these guys have been the favorites to win it all all season. As Tony Parker was the best player on the court on Sunday, Ginobili has taken that role tonight.
The Coyote
Posted at 9:10 p.m.
San Antonio's mascot, the Coyote, may be funny, but he's also
well
obscene. The Coyote doesn't wear any pants for most skits! According to a well-placed source within the Sonics organization, team rule prohibits him from wearing a jersey and shorts together. Thank goodness for our loveable - and well-clothed - Squatch.
Manu Factor
Posted at 9:07 p.m.
Manu Ginobili has really given San Antonio a tremendous burst since checking into the game three and a half minutes ago. Ginobili has eight points on 3-for-3 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers. It appears that Spurs run was just a little slower tonight; they've scored nine in a row and lead it 20-8 with 3:39 left in the first quarter. Nate McMillan needs a timeout and will get reserves Antonio Daniels and Nick Collison - the Sonics most productive bench players in Game 1 - into the game.
Good D
Posted at 9:05 p.m.
How good is this Spurs defense? Good enough to force a five-second inbounds violation in the first quarter, something that's almost unheard of. You've got to tip your cap to this group. The Sonics have only eight points and are shooting 23.1%. Rashard Lewis really needs to give the Sonics more; he's yet to score and is 0-for-3 from the field.
Avery's Pratfall
Posted at 9:02 p.m.
Like most everyone else, San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich and Sonics Coach Nate McMillan saw Avery Johnson fall down as he ran onto the court to protest a call in last night's Game 1 of the Dallas-Phoenix series. Unlike most everyone else, they happen to be Johnson's ex-coach and ex-teammate, respectively, and they happen to be at the same risk as Johnson.
"I've been out there that far trying to set a screen," said McMillan.
"I just about fell off my chair," said Popovich.
Foul Trouble
Posted at 8:58 p.m.
Ray Allen's work in the media seems to have paid off with Bruce Bowen drawing two early fouls and sitting down before the seven-minute mark of the first quarter. The Sonics trail it 8-6 and have been lax on a couple of plays, not getting downcourt or providing double-team help, but they're executing and seem very confident right now.
I think it's safe to say these fans don't like Allen very much. They're booing him every time he gets the ball and lustily after every call. Luke Ridnour in particular looks confident - he's got four points in the early going.
First Plays
Posted at 8:53 p.m.
Revealing stuff at both ends of the court. The Sonics got a 20-foot jumper from Rashard Lewis from the top of the key. He didn't hit it, but that's where the Sonics want to attack this evening. On the other end, Jerome James shows a quick double on Tim Duncan (being defended by Reggie Evans) before retreating to leave Evans one-on-one. Duncan scores , but I like the theory.
Good in Gold
Posted at 8:50 p.m.
The Sonics are wearing their gold alternate road jerseys tonight. That might be worth keeping an eye on.
Ready to Go
Posted at 8:47 p.m.
The pre-game clock at the SBC Center has counted to zero and our lead-in - the Washington Wizards at the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their series - is over, with the Heat pulling out a second win. SBC Center PA Announcer Stan Kelly asked us to place our hands over our hearts during the National Anthem, and, in dong so, I discovered mine is beating a mile a minute. I'm ready for his game. With Ray in the lineup, I think we could be in for a very different outcome from Sunday.
One of the "Baseline Bums" behind us has brought a drum to bang during the game. That's not going to get annoying.
Ray's Playing
Posted at 8:43 p.m.
The big news before tonight's game is that Ray Allen will be in the starting lineup for the Sonics. Allen was a game-time decision after spraining his right ankle during the second quarter of Game 1. Actually, that name is a misnomer - the decision was made an hour or two before the game, after Allen had successfully shot around in his usual pre-game routine.
"I haven't been told there's any restrictions on him," said Sonics Coach Nate McMillan.
"He told me, 'The playoffs are no time to be hurting,' so he should be ready to go."
Signing On
Posted at 8:40 p.m.
Well, we're not really Live tonight, but this is a Press Box and it is in San Antonio as the Sonics play Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinals series tonight against the Spurs. After a disappointing outcome of Game 1, the Sonics have a chance to reclaim momentum and achieve their goal of winning one of the two games in San Antonio with a victory tonight. Scroll up if you've started chronologically as we bring you Game 2 as experienced from the SBC Center.
