Live From The Press Box - Sonics vs. San Antonio (Game 3)
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Pandemonium!
Posted at 10:27 p.m.
The Spurs got the look they wanted. Tim Duncan caught the ball elbow right and then dribbled to the middle of the court, where he fired over Vitaly Potapenko from 10 feet. It looked good in the air but came up short, bouncing off the rim and into Nick Collison’s hands (I think) harmlessly. The Sonics win 92-91 in without a doubt one of the best games I have ever witnessed. This series is going back to San Antonio and the Sonics have now put San Antonio somewhat on the defensive. What a phenomenal game on all counts. It’s pandemonium at KeyArena with fans waving their towels. There’s a guy running back and forth in front of the media section with his towel (no media has joined him, alas).
Unbelievably, the Sonics won without Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis scoring a point in the fourth quarter. That is simply unreal.
One Chance For the Spurs
Posted at 10:23 p.m.
Allen-Potapenko pick-and-roll, but Bruce Bowen finally shows his worth and doesn’t give Allen any daylight. A forced shot from the baseline is off. Robert Horry rebounds and calls time with 2.9 seconds left. San Antonio will have to be quick, but could change this series in a hurry with a score.
A Rebound Away
Posted at 10:21 p.m.
Before the game, Gregg Popovich had a prophetic quote about a defensive stop not being complete without the rebound. The Sonics forced 3-point misses by Brent Barry and Robert Horry - the latter eerily similar to Horry’s 3-point make against Sacramento while with the Lakers in Game 3? 4? Of the 2002 Western Conference finals - but couldn’t get the rebound on either. A loose-ball foul sent Manu Ginobli to the free-throw line, where he split two attempts in keeping with the evening’s theme. That makes it Sonics 92-91 with 29.3 seconds left. Where do the Sonics go? I’d guess pick-and-roll with Nick Collison as the screener. I’m not sure who I’d guess would be handling the ball. AD? Luke? Ray? Lots of options.
Still Sonics by Two
Posted at 10:18 p.m.
This is a great game. Vitaly Potapenko, just into the game, makes a huge defensive play for the Sonics, going straight up with Tim Duncan and not drawing a foul. Duncan misses the shot and the Sonics take over. On the other end, Duncan makes the big play. Ray Allen challenged him mano-e-mano and Duncan blocked his shot. It appeared to go out of bounds off of Bruce Bowen, but the Spurs will get the ball with 44.8 seconds. Where do you go if you’re Popovich? Duncan is actually a little risky because of his free-throw shooting.
James Out
Posted at 10:15 p.m.
With 1:46 to go, Jerome James fouls out trying to defend a pick-and-roll. Great effort for the Big Fella tonight, as he scored 15 points and played Duncan tough in the post. Vitaly Potapenko in for James. This hurts the Sonics pick-and-roll game, but Potapenko should be okay against Duncan. Ginobili splits two free throws and it’s 92-90 Sonics.
Smart
Posted at 10:12 p.m.
The Sonics make the right plays. Nick Collison is blocked under the hoop, but recovers, goes back up and hits the lay-in to give the Sonics the lead. Jerome James makes Tim Duncan earn them at the free-throw line and Duncan splits two shots. Sonics still up, but it’s James’ fifth foul. If Lewis can’t go, what would the Sonics do if James fouls out? Manu Ginobili down after a pick holding his nose, but he’s called for the foul. Antonio Daniels going to the free-throw line.
Why?
Posted at 10:09 p.m.
Why on Earth are the Spurs fouling the Sonics right now when Seattle can’t score in the half-court offense? That is most unlike a Gregg Popovich team, and he seems pretty furious right now in the huddle. Nate McMillan’s tone is best described as insistent. Antonio Daniels going to the free-throw line with a chance to tie the game. Rashard Lewis has his left shoe back on and is walking back and forth but I’m not sure if he’s checking back in the game.
Nerves
Posted at 10:05 p.m.
As well-played as the third quarter was by both sides, the fourth has frankly been pretty dismal. Both teams look pretty nervous, committing costly turnovers, taking quick shots and missing free throws. San Antonio has had chances to bury the Sonics, but hasn’t pushed the lead above three the entire period. After two Antonio Daniels free throws, it’s one, 87-86. Rashard Lewis is out for the Sonics after hurting what looks like his left foot. He’s still sitting in front of the Sonics bench on the sidelines and grimacing in pain. Nick Collison replaces him. Spurs going offense-defense, substituting Brent Barry and Bruce Bowen in and out. Ray Allen hasn’t scored in this period.
Freelancing
Posted at 10:02 p.m.
Great job by Ray Allen to push the ball and draw the Spurs fourth team foul. I was going to talk a little bit about Ray getting most of his points out of freelance situations, just probing the defense, but then a Luke Ridnour to Jerome James pick-and-roll resulted in James’ seventh field goal in as many tries, a dunk and the foul. James missed the free throw, but the Sonics have still gotten back momentum. Great Tony Parker end-to-end drive to make it a three-point Spurs lead again, 87-84. Sonics need a score.
Danger
Posted at 9:57 p.m.
Wow, referees letting a lot of contact go right now. The Sonics need to play accordingly. Tim Duncan’s jumper gives the Spurs an 85-82 lead with 5:49 to go and while that’s not a big deal, the momentum is slipping away and the Sonics are not executing right now. They had two plays where Ray Allen and Antonio Daniels took quick shots and then a possession where they took too long, with Allen driving into the DEATH ZONE and forcing Luke Ridnour into an off-balance 3 with the shot clock expiring. Nate McMillan reminded us yesterday that his is still a very young team learning how to play Semifinals basketball. Is that coming into play tonight?
Stepping Up
Posted at 9:51 p.m.
We’re still tied at 81-all with 8:34 to go heading to timeout with Jerome James going to the free-throw line for one shot after throwing down another powerful jam. I’m remembering a game right now against San Antonio in late March 2002 where James was doing similar things. Back then, I was high fiving people in Section 222 instead of blogging, but that’s neither here nor there. Jerome has really stepped up tonight, scoring 12 points on perfect 6-for-6 shooting. The other Sonics player who needs to be singled out is Antonio Daniels, who has been just great all series, scoring double-figures all three games. AD is fearlessly driving into the teeth of the Spurs defense and coming away with either a layup or free throws.
Reggie Evans has a back contusion and his return is questionable, but it’s tough to see the Sonics going away from Rashard Lewis at power forward even if Reggie was healthy.
Some Issues
Posted at 9:46 p.m.
A couple of worrisome things right now. First, Nick Collison simply cannot defend Tim Duncan one-on-one in the post. The Sonics either have to double-team or foul (or both). They want to force Bruce Bowen to shoot from somewhere besides the corner or have rookie Beno Udrih shoot. The good news here is that Duncan has been iffy at the free-throw line. At the other end, Rashard Lewis is driving into what David Locke is calling the DEATH ZONE - caps his - the baseline area where the Spurs force offensive players by design. It has led to a couple of turnovers in this period. As a result, Ray Allen is back in earlier than Nate McMillan would have liked. Jerome James also in, replacing Collison. This hurts the Sonics on offense but helps them on d.
Tied to the Fourth
Posted at 9:39 p.m.
It is only fitting that this game is tied with 12:00 left to play, because these teams are playing about as evenly as two teams can tonight. Great punches and counter-punches on both sides. The Sonics will have this crowd behind them in the fourth quarter and they need to take advantage of it. Interesting to note that I don’t believe the Sonics took a free throw in the fourth quarter after their 23-7 advantage at the free-throw line in the first half. The Sonics can’t let San Antonio get in the bonus so early in this half. They also need the bench to bring it during the early part of this quarter. Nasty spill taken by Antonio Daniels, but he seems to be doing okay and remained in the game.
Towels Waving
Posted at 9:32 p.m.
Tonight’s giveaway was rally towels, and they were waving in the stands after consecutive dunks by Nick Collison and Reggie Evans give the Sonics a 71-70 lead with 2:36 to play in the quarter. Tony Parker misses two free throws to keep it loud. I’m watching the game right now - I mean really watching - and there is just awesome play on both sides. Great coaching, great play. Taking off the Sonics hat and putting on the basketball fan hat, this is terrific fun. The Sonics have gone to their bench, with Nick Collison, Danny Fortson and Damien Wilkins in the game. This lineup struggled in the first half.
Back and Forth
Posted at 9:25 p.m.
This game is starting to take on the feel of one that won’t see either team lead by more than five points the rest of the way. Great plays on both sides right now. Jerome James sets a marvelous screen on Bruce Bowen to take advantage of Bowen being so tight on Ray Allen, who promptly knocks down a jumper. Later, James with the dunk off the pick-and-roll and Luke Ridnour with the floater off glass. But the Spurs have answered, getting a great stop and shoot layup from Tony Parker and back-to-back 3s from Robert Horry and Manu Ginobili.
Stern in the House
Posted at 9:16 p.m.
NBA Commissioner David Stern is in Seattle tonight as he tours the NBA during the playoffs, and he took 15 minutes before tonight’s game to chat with reporters. There were no shortage of questions as labor negotiations drag on towards the expiration of the CBA and last week’s Jeff Van Gundy officiating controversy.
“If there’s no news by next week, I’m downgrading ‘optimistic’ to ‘hopeful,’” Stern said regarding CBA negotiations. The two sides have a meeting next week, but recent proposals aren’t closing gaps. Stern declined to say what specific points the players and owners disagree on.
“We have a gentleman’s agreement that if there’s no deal on every point, there’s no deal on any point,” Stern explained.
As for the resurgent seasons enjoyed by the Sonics, amongst several other teams, Stern was very positive.
“The style that the Sonics and the Suns play, the trade of Shaq to the Heat, the emergence of Chicago and Washington have been great storylines for the league,” said Stern. “Fans have turned out in record numbers because of it.”
Momentum Man
Posted at 9:12 p.m.
That’s what Brent Barry has been for the Spurs in this series. With KeyArena rocking after the Sonics took the lead early here in the third quarter, Brent responded with a perfectly-timed 3-pointer to shift the lead back to San Antonio. It seems like all his 3s in this series have been at the right time. But the Spurs need to watch out, because Ray Allen (who only shot 2-for-10 in the first half) is starting to roll, hitting jumpers on each of the Sonics first two possession. A Bruce Bowen corner 3 (his favorite shot) gives San Antonio the lead, but Rashard Lewis’ second straight score for the Sonics ties it. Lewis was 1-for-5 in the first half and is also due to shoot better.
Halftime Box
Posted at 9:05 p.m.
Some interesting first-half numbers … the Spurs shot 53.8% from the field, the Sonics 36.8%. If that evens out. … Of course, this is a two-point game is. The reasons for that are threefold. First, the Sonics have owned the glass. Second, they’ve shot 23 free throws to San Antonio’s seven (that’s actually probably the biggest reason). Third, the Sonics have committed only four turnovers and given up only five points on them. I can’t overstate how huge an improvement that is.
Halftime
Posted at 8:53 p.m.
Costly technical foul from Vitaly Potapenko late in the half after he had done a fine job defending Tim Duncan most of this period. Called for a foul on a Duncan three-point play, Potapenko drew a T, making it a four-point play for the Spurs. Still, after a fine strip from Ray Allen on the Spurs last possession, the Sonics trail by two, 51-49 at the half. The Sonics still haven’t found the answers for the Spurs triumvirate of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, but they’re rolling on the offensive end of the court. If the Sonics can even be close late in the fourth quarter, they have to feel good about their chances.
All Square
Posted at 8:49 p.m.
Like Game 2, Ray Allen has gotten hot in the second half of the second quarter. Like Game 2, his performance has sparked a Sonics run. Unlike Game 2, the Sonics weren’t down 20 at the start of the run, so this game is tied in the final minute before halftime.
Bowen
Posted at 8:44 p.m.
A good-natured Bruce Bowen met with San Antonio and Seattle media before tonight’s game to talk about his First-Team All-Defense pick and the series.
“It’s a good accomplishment,” Bowen said of the All-Defense accolade. “Wow, look what I accomplished.”
Bowen had an interesting comment about only coaches and some writers being interested in defense, which might have been directed at Ray Allen, who somewhat degraded the role of defensive specialists last week. Then again, Bowen basically admitted following the career path Allen described - he made himself into a defensive standout because that was the only way he could make it in the league. Bowen also pointed out he’s gotten a lot of publicity from his matchup with Allen in this series.
Honestly, Bowen hasn’t really been a major factor in this series, as Allen has scored when he’s been in the lineup and Bowen has been a major offensive liability for the Spurs. They’ve been arguably more effective with a combination of Brent Barry and Manu Ginobili on the wings.
I’m not sure what it’s going to take to draw a foul on Tim Duncan right now. …
Sonics Rolling
Posted at 8:37 p.m.
Interesting play for the Spurs, as Tony Parker ran up behind Tim Duncan like a running back behind his offensive linemen. But the Sonics stayed with it and forced Parker into a turnover. He looked frustrated afterwards, but stays with it to get a layup on the next play. He’s now got 10 points to lead San Antonio. The Sonics are getting into a groove, however, cutting into this lead and stopping the Spurs on defense. Another turnover by the Spurs over Manu Ginobili’s protests.
We’ll Take It, Part II
Posted at 8:31 p.m.
The Big Dog may be playing defense, but he’s not entirely with the San Antonio program. Glenn Robinson pushes Rashard Lewis (into a referee) and draws an unneeded technical. He promptly takes a seat on the bench. But the Sonics defense parts like the Red Seat, making Nazr Mohammed Moses as he goes in for a dunk. Ray Allen getting going, now with six points as the Sonics are within six.
We’ll Take It
Posted at 8:29 p.m.
The Sonics find a new way to score, with Bruce Bowen tipping the ball into the Sonics basket on a defensive rebound situation. Vitaly Potapenko gets credit for the bucket. The Sonics force their second 24-second violation on the ensuing possession as Glenn Robinson holds the ball, bringing the crowd to life once again.
Searching
Posted at 8:25 p.m.
Right now, Nate McMillan is searching for answers. He’s going to give Vitaly Potapenko a look in the middle with a Luke Ridnour-Antonio Daniels backcourt and Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis at the forwards. Allen and Lewis starting slowly once again - they’ve combined for six points. Lewis goes to the basket and draws the foul.
Fortson Fouls
Posted at 8:20 p.m.
In 14 minutes in this series, Danny Fortson has been called for nine fouls. The situation is to the point where he simply is not able to be a factor for the Sonics anymore. They’ve gone small again, with Nick Collison in the middle. This lineup has struggled to defend Tim Duncan, especially because there is no second big to give Collison help on Duncan. On the other hand, it has been very effective on offense because of Collison’s intelligence.
Danger Zone
Posted at 8:15 p.m.
If you’re the San Antonio Spurs, you’re feeling pretty good right now. You’ve absorbed the Sonics best shot, you’ve quieted the KeyArena crowd and you’re up big after one quarter - eight points. The Sonics offense stagnated after Luke Ridnour and Rashard Lewis left the court, as Ray Allen is getting clamped down on defensively by the Spurs defense and has only two points. The ball movement is noticeably worse right now. The Sonics need Antonio Daniels and Nick Collison to step up and power them on offense. At the other end of the court, Manu Ginobili (nine points) has been outstanding. The Sonics response has been hard fouls and Danny Fortson was called for a flagrant on the last one. I don’t expect Ginobili to be deterred from driving the lane whatsoever. The Sonics are in danger of losing this crowd if they don’t make a run soon.
Dueling Blogs
Posted at 8:08 p.m.
A reminder that you can get another blog perspective (from courtside) from KJR 950 AM’s David Locke. Check it out at
lockedonsports.blogspot.com. In San Antonio, we had three blogs - David’s, mine and the Spurs.com “Fanalysts” blog. Squatch tricks a Spurs fan during a blindfolded jumprope contest to the delight of the crowd.
Now It’s a Game
Posted at 8:05 p.m.
The initial wave of momentum has subsided and now it’s going to be about the basketball. The Sonics are getting a great lift from Nick Collison, who has two rebounds since checking in (I swear I saw three) and has gotten to the free-throw line twice. The Sonics are dominating the boards right now, 11-5. Good hard foul by Collison on Manu Ginobili as well to send a message - I’m surprised with the way these playoffs have been called it wasn’t a flagrant. Sonics making Tony Parker a passer, but he’s finding open guys in the paint. Eight points combined for Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed. Damien Wilkins in for the Sonics where Flip Murray got minutes in Game 2. Danny Fortson with an impact after coming into the game.
Sonics Go Small
Posted at 8:01 p.m.
With Antonio Daniels replacing Reggie Evans, the Sonics have gone to a small lineup with Rashard Lewis at power forward as they used much of the second half on Tuesday. San Antonio is leaving Jerome James on the pick-and-roll and he’s making them play, getting another dunk. Shortly after, Jerome picks up his second foul and is replaced by Nick Collison. Great hustle by Ray Allen, but Rashard Lewis can’t save the ball. He’s helped up by a classy Gregg Popovich. 17-15 Sonics and the crowd has been quieted.
Oh No, He Didn’t!
Posted at 7:57 p.m.
After Tim Duncan scores for the Spurs, a sick throwdown from Jerome James, who extends his 7-1 frame as far as it can go to flush over Tim Duncan. Jerome has been very active in the early going tonight. But the Spurs are showing their usual composure and have cut the Sonics lead to 13-11. Manu Ginobili in for Bruce Bowen; he quickly draws a foul defending Ray Allen. Tim Duncan on the bench for the Spurs and the Sonics need to make a run. Luke Ridnour playing great basketball in the early going.
24 Seconds of Defense
Posted at 7:52 p.m.
Great defensive stand by the Sonics on their last possession. They forced Bruce Bowen to drive to the basket - which, you might know, is not his forte - and then Jerome James blocked his shot out of bounds for a shot-clock violation. Quick stoppage of play because Rashard Lewis had a cut, and some intrepid fans started the “SUPER-SONICS” chant without being induced by Arenavision. Tony Parker falls down on defense and Rashard Lewis buries a jumper and it’s 11-4 Sonics as Gregg Popovich takes a timeout.
The least surprised person in the arena is Pop - he told media before the game he was prepared to take a quick 20-second timeout and ask his players, “Do you want to go to dinner or keep playing?” He was joking, but, this being Gregg Popovich, we weren’t entirely sure.
Playoff Crowd
Posted at 7:48 p.m.
I love the atmosphere in KeyArena tonight. While there are still some fans trickling in to their seats, this is the loudest I’ve heard it all year - in fact, it’s the loudest I’ve heard it since Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, when the Seattle Storm defeated the Connecticut Sun to win the WNBA Championship. The Sonics are feeding off the crowd and show a lot of energy in the early going, but they’re maybe a little too amped up, missing some looks near the basket on a fast-break opportunity on their last possession after Luke Ridnour made a great hustle play for a steal.
Signing On
Posted at 7:40 p.m.
It’s good to be back in Seattle and back live as this series shifts to the Pacific Northwest for Games 3 and 4 at KeyArena. It’s a sellout and it’s a loud crowd at the Key as the Sonics look to take their first game of this series. It should be a dandy tonight at KeyArena, so stay with us all night long and make sure to hit refresh so you’re getting the latest.
