The San Antonio Spurs beat the Sacramento Kings 96-80 Friday night to remain unbeaten. The Spurs are 3-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season, when they finished with the best record in the league. The Kings have yet to win a game this season. The Kings never led, and most of the Spurs' starters sat out the entire fourth quarter.
Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich had this to say about the game. “It was great to play a lot of guys and a lot of people off of the bench got to get some time tonight, especially new guys like Darius Washington, Ime Udoka and Ian Mahinmi. They got a chance to take a look at the system.” It’s good to see that the guys kept their focus and played well. The starters really supported the guys off of the bench and did a fine job.”
Spurs guard Bruce Bowen likes the way the team has started the season. “We have had a really good start to the season but in a game like tonight it’s the mental edge that plays a major factor. We need to focus on keeping the ball moving and stay healthy as a team.”
Udoka Popovich
Beno Udrih, who was traded on Monday from San Antonio to Minnesota, then signed with Sacramento after the Timberwolves waived him, did not dress while still recovering from a broken left index finger he got last month during Spurs training camp. Udrih won two rings with the Spurs, including last season, when he lost his spot as backup point guard to Tony Parker after Jacque Vaughn took over. Popovich gave Udrih his championship ring before tip-off Friday.
Matt Bonner bounced out of his sideline chair and onto the court when Spurs coach Gregg Popovich unexpectedly called on him in the third quarter of Thursday's game in Sacramento. His enthusiasm carried over when, seconds later, he cut the wrong way and nearly ran into Jacque Vaughn. As Popovich turned around to light into the young forward, Vaughn already was clutching Bonner around the hip, calmly explaining what he had done wrong.
The play didn't show up in the box score of the Spurs' 100-93 victory, but credit Vaughn with another assist. If nothing else, he saved Bonner from a potentially embarrassing blistering. "That's my job," Vaughn said later, laughing. The Spurs have benefited from Vaughn's steady hand on more than a few occasions during their 11-game winning streak. He more than capably filled in for injured starter Tony Parker for two games, sparking victories over Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers with his energy and hustle. On Tuesday, he helped direct the Spurs' comeback in Portland as Parker watched from the bench.
"He steps on the court and he takes over in the sense that everybody knows where they're supposed to be," Popovich said. "He'll help other people with what defense we are in, with the play call. "His aggressiveness defensively — all those things just ups the level of competitiveness when he's on the court."
A 10-year veteran who has played for five franchises, Vaughn credits some of his leadership abilities to a point guard he'll see tonight. Before signing with the Spurs, Vaughn spent two seasons playing behind — and sometimes alongside — New Jersey's Jason Kidd. "I learned a lot from Jason," Vaughn said. "I think the things that stand out were the fact that he could lead a team by example, the simple things like being at practice, being the first guy to do drills."
Vaughn also benefited from having a locker next to Utah's John Stockton for four seasons. As a rookie, Vaughn learned the value of day-to-day preparation from Stockton, who taught him how to be a professional.
The Spurs recognized as much when they went looking last summer for a veteran point guard to help mentor Beno Udrih and Parker. "We signed him like two minutes after the signing (period) opened up," Popovich said. "It was the first thing we did. We locked him up right off the bat."
The ball did move well against the Rockets. And as everyone knows it can sometimes stick when it’s in Tony’s hands. But I’m going to have to see a lot more evidence before I join the Bench-TP-For-Jacque campaign. T he less time Tony’s on the floor, the less of those transition layups the Spurs get. And, at least from where I sit, those sure seem like easy baskets any team would appreciate.
Manu Ginobili was on a roll. His jump shot made it 105 - 90 late in the fourth quarter giving his San Antonio Spurs a 15 point lead over the Memphis Grizzlies. There would be no second half letdown tonight. San Antonio went on to defeat Memphis 110 - 96. It's over. The fat lady is singing. Manu had 34 points leading the Spurs. Pau Gasol had 24 in a valiant losing effort for the Grizzlies.
Michael Finley took his turn and stepped up. His jump shot staked San Antonio to a 92 - 74 lead and drove another stake right through the heart of Memphis in the fourth quarter in San Antonio.
Jacque Vaughn committed two quick turnovers in the third quarter before being pulled by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Pau Gasol's free throw gave him 9 points at 10:01 in the third quarter in San Antonio. However, San Antonio led Memphis 61 - 52. The Spurs led the Grizzlies 57 -45 at halftime.
Manu Ginobili's jump shot made the score 53 -44 in favor of the Spurs late in the second quarter as they were controlling the Grizzlies. San Antonio was doing the same against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night before a second half letdown enabled Dallas to come from behind for the win. Spurs fans hoped not to see a repeat. Memphis fans were looking for just such an opportunity. Ginobili had nine first half points for San Antonio.
The Grizzlies Mike Miller picked it up in the second quarter as he had eight points in the game at that point. However, the Spurs still opened up the lead to nine points at 42 - 33.
Memphis had closed an early eight point lead by San Antonio to one point at 22 -21 with 2:06 left in the first quarter. Hakim Warrick led Memphis at that point with eight points.
Bruce Bowen's jump shots and eight points gave the San Antonio Spurs the early eight point lead.
Pops ^ looks on while Mike Miller puts up a floater against his Spurs in San Antonio in a previous matchup.
San Antonio has ended their longest losing streak in almost two years. Hey, it was only three games. No big deal really. Right? The Spurs (24-11) avoided dropping their fourth straight game today in Tennessee facing the Grizzlies (8-26). The Spurs have won six straight over Memphis owner of the worst record in the NBA.
The Grizzlies are playing a different brand of basketball. Mike Fratello was fired as the Memphis coach on December 28 after a 6-24 start to this season and interim coach Tony Barone scrapped his predecessor's slowdown approach in favor of a fast-paced style.
The Spurs have now won nine straight games at home. The Hawks have lost six straight The Spurs stifling defense returned Thursday night against the Jazz. But San Antonio will need to keep up this intensity if they are to avoid a situation that might be ripe for an upset today.
Don't Drink the Water
Unfortunately the stomach flu is still going around. Tim Duncan was not able to practice yesterday due to a upset stomach which has been the first symptom experienced by each of the Spurs that fought the flu bug last week. Team officials listed him as questionable for this afternoon's game against Atlanta. Manu Ginobili, Brent Barry and Matt Bonner all missed Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee after becoming sick. Jacque Vaughn and Fabricio Oberto — in addition to both of the team's trainers and one assistant coach — also have been ill.
Robert Horry
If Duncan can't play, the Spurs could end up starting Robert Horry. Horry made his first start in Thursday's victory over Utah while filling in for center Francisco Elson, who remains sidelined with a right shoulder injury. Horry became "Big Shot Rob" by making clutch baskets in critical games. That intensity was one of the reasons Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had him in the starting lineup against the Jazz. Horry's play to open the second half had a big impact on Thursday's favorable outcome.
The 36-year-old Horry snagged three offensive rebounds, outjumping 25-year-old Andrei Kirilenko and 27-year-old Mehmet Okur. Eventually Horry set up Manu Ginobili for a drive to the basket that resulted in two free throws on the possession. "He's always a smart player and understands the game and the situation," Spurs captain Tim Duncan said. "He did a great job of making plays for us when they were there, but he also hit the offensive glass and gave us a boost. He was a great passer tonight (on Thursday), as he always is. He was the player we need him to be."
Popovich also had a hunch he would get a playoff-like effort from Horry. "Robert is a big-game sort of guy at this point in his career," Popovich said. "I think he looks toward those games with more relish and juice, in a way. He took that starting role very seriously, and I thought, starting the game, he and Timmy set the tone and everyone followed suit. Because we played so poorly against Milwaukee (on Tuesday), I think Rob was ready to go out and try to change things and turn things around. I think he was ready to get everybody to play with a little bit more focus and maturity, and not play like we can turn it on whenever we want to."
Matt Bonner
Another player the Spurs are beginning to rely on more is Matt Bonner. Matt felt much more comfortable Thursday night. "The system is already in place and I have enough NBA experience and I’ve played enough games with the Spurs already to just come in and know my role."
The 6'10 Bonner, was acquired during the offseason in the deal that sent center Rasho Nesterovic to Toronto. Bonner aggressively ####s the boards, spaces the floor on offense, and contributes points. Known as the "Red Rocket", Matt will have to continue to step up until the flu bug finishes making its rounds.
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Udoka 
