NBA: Spurs clinch a 102-85 win over the Nets
The San Antonio Spurs are going ahead fast and furious this season and they just seem oblivious of the deadly affect they have on the opposition. The detrimental Spurs had another prey clawed at the end of a 102-85 victory against the New Jersey Nets on
14 February at the Prudential Centre.
The Spurs held the Nets at a margin of 50-39 in boards whereas took a 40-28 leap from the painted area.
Manu Ginobili scored 22 points going a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line. Tim Duncan pulled out a tenacious double-double and scored 15 points along with 11 rebounds and went 7-for-12 in shooting from the field. Tony Parker and George Hill sealed 13 apiece
in the win for the Spurs.
Brook Lopez clinched a double-double, as the Nets centre scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 5-for-16 shooting from the field. Travis Outlaw had 11 points going 4-for-13 from the field. Jordan Farmar scooped out 10 points and dished out seven assists
from off the bench. Deron Harris scooped out 10 points and dished out four assists for the Nets in the loss.
The Spurs is one of the most difficult teams to face on the court. They did not let any of the Nets shoot more than 50 per cent in the clash. Parker, the Nets guard later emphasized on how important it is for them to go past the opposite team in the very
start of the game as he said, "On the road you play those teams, you know you're supposed to win. It's very important to jump on them and start aggressive and make sure you get an early lead."
The Nets had pulled out a 34-31 lead in the second quarter but they could not carry it ahead after Duncan returned to the court. The Nets tried till they reached a 36-31 lead over the Spurs but Hill and Duncan took the scores to 37-36 and the Spurs never
looked back after that. San Antonio had skidded past to a 59-48 score at the end of the first half.
The Spurs who were already leading the Nets did not leave any chance of picking a bigger run over them. Gary Neal hit a 3-pointer that took the Spurs to an even higher state of lead, going 75-66 in the third quarter of the clash.
The losing team’s coach sounded a little disappointed as he said, "We can't shoot 34 percent and expect to win a game like this against this team."
The Spurs are making a big mark this season. Having secured a 46-9 record this season, the Spurs are playing with courage and excellent defence against any team that comes in front of them. They have the best 55 game mark this season. Another team that had
the same mark was back in 2006-07 and the team was Dallas Mavericks who were under the interim coaching of Avery Johnson. The Mavericks had accomplished a 67-win season during that tenure that was their franchise best.
For the Spurs, Thursday @ Chicago, Wednesday 23rd vs. Oklahoma City, Friday 25th vs. New Jersey.
For the Nets, Wednesday @ Boston, Friday 25th @ San Antonio, Saturday 26th @ Houston.
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