Spurs Week 6 Recap

After uncharacteristically dropping last Monday's game to the Kings, the Spurs got right by going on a three game winning streak, which culminated in the 100-79 demolition of the lowly Trailblazers.  Unfortunately, the 21-point victory was marred by a terrifying moment in which Tim Duncan landed awkwardly on his knee and ankle, and went to the ground holding his leg in pain.  The All-Star had to be helped off the court by teammates.  Spurs fans don't have to be reminded of what Duncan means to the team; he’s the team’s MVP is any number of ways.  Preliminary tests were that the ligaments were not torn, but that he would likely miss some games.  An MRI has been scheduled to confirm the findings.  Spurs’ fans no doubt will be sleeping uncomfortably until the results come back. 

Although the injury news wasn't good, the performance of the team has been, and San Antonio leads the NBA with 15 wins, and is continuing the hot start.  Although the week’s competition was far from the toughest the NBA has to offer, San Antonio is riding a three game winning streak, with wins over Washington, Minnesota, and Portland. 

Against Washington, Tony Parker scored 20 second-half points to end up with 29, and also added 11 assists.  The speedy Frenchman liked two rebounds having a triple double.  Two days later, the Spurs did what they always do, and that is to get scoring from a different star each night.  Against the Timberwolves, it was Manu Ginobili’s turn, and he torched the T-wolves for 31 points, as he went 7-9 from behind the arc.  The Spurs were as hot as they’ve been all year to close out the game.  They outscored Minnesota 40-11 in the last stanza.  Duncan had his usual 20 points and 14 rebounds, as the loss sent the Wolves to a 2-12 start. 

Finally, against Portland, even though San Antonio was forced to play most of the game without Duncan, they managed to take care of business, with 27 points coming from Tony Parker’s 11-15 shooting.  Although Duncan is irreplaceable, Fabricio Oberto did a serviceable job, scoring 6 points, but accounting for 9 rebounds. 

One other bit of good news for the team is that Robert Horry finally was back in action for the first time all year.  In five minutes of action, Horry made his presence known with two blocks and a pair of rebounds.