Spurs 91, Lakers 79

Although the Spurs got a relatively easy win, (never trailed after the Lakers made the first basket of the game) I was still somewhat disappointed with the Spurs' performance.  They shot just .376 from the field and let LA hang around even though none of the Lakers were shooting well from the perimeter (even with Dwight Howard making 8-12, the Lakers shot just .411 as a team and .200 from 3-point range). 

Tony Parker didn't look like he was 100%.  He did play 37 minutes, but couldn't finish in the paint like he normally does and didn't shoot the ball well (8-21 from the field, 2-4 FTs).  As a team the Spurs shot just .376 from the field...and it didn't look like it was because of the Lakers defense.  They won the game due to the Lakers turning over the ball 18 times (Spurs had 85 shots vs. the Lakers 73 attempts) and Manu Ginobili providing a big lift at the end of the 3rd quarter scoring 8 straight to give the Spurs a 70-57 lead heading into the 4th.   To me, it looked like the Spurs where sleep walking through most of the game until Manu did his thing (Ginobili scored 18 points in 18:53). 


Kwahi Leonard wasn't involved much in the offense (8 PTS, 3-8), but he made his presence felt on defense (11 REB, 2 ST, 2 BS).  I thought that, without the burden of guarding Kobe Bryant, Leonard would do more. Tiago Splitter was a non-factor (0-4, 4 REB, 1 PF) taking some ridiculous shots for a 7 footer (one an underhand scoop shoot).  Splitter is still to tentative on offensive.  Really no one on the Spurs shot well for the game.  Duncan started off well enough, scoring 8 in the first quarter, but had just 13 at the half and 17 for the game on 6-15 shooting.  Parker led the Spurs with 18.

With Howard (20 PTS, 15 REB) and Pau Gasol (16 PTS, 16 REB), the Lakers still had the advantage inside, but despite the numbers they didn't play particularly well.  Most of Gasol's points came from jumpers...why he didn't post up more when Matt Bonner was guarding him is insane (although I was happy to see it).  The Lakers didn't pound the ball into Howard either, he only had 12 attempts.

I should be encouraged with  a 91-79 Spurs win, but the Spurs didn't put a "they can't beat us" stamp on this game...in fact the Lakers have to be thinking, "if we can cut down on the turnovers and shoot a little better we have a shot."

But, as I said in my last post, the Spurs have more ways they can win...tonight they won by taking better care of the ball and playing good defense.