Spurs v. Bulls Recap Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garcia   
Thursday, 29 October 2009 20:26

It was the first road game for the Spurs in the 2009-2010 NBA season but it was also their first back-to-back game after beating the Hornets yesterday in San Antonio.

The Spurs traveled to Chicago to face the Bulls and here is how it went down.

First Quarter:

The Spurs started with Duncan, Bonner, Finley, Parker and Jefferson while the Bulls countered with Rose, Noah, Salmons, Deng and Thomas.  Again I am still wondering why Pop is going to Bonner with the starting unit.  More than likely it's be because he can spread the floor with his outside shooting.

Just as in the Hornets game, the Spurs started off slow and the Bulls came out with an 8-2 run. Richard Jefferson was attacking the rim but missed his first three shots.  The Spurs did come back with a 6-0 run to keep the game close.

The feel of the game was fast-paced which does not work in the Spurs favor and the team's energy level was low and defense was sub-par.

At the end of the first quarter it was 23-22 Spurs.

Second Quarter:

Spurs rookie, DeJuan Blair, picked up quick fouls and was pulled out of the game.  Again we saw RJ attacking the rim but just was not hitting his outside shot and early in the second quarter it was 24-29 Bulls.

Though leading the Bulls didn't hit from the field for three minutes but at the same time the Spurs were not helping themselves.  Spurs were not grabbing defensive rebounds, energy was low and this was allowing the Bulls to stay in the game.

Rose was getting into the rim, Noah was bringing energy and hustle for the Bulls and rookie Taj Gibson was grabbing offensive boards for the Bulls.  So what were the Spurs doing?  They committed seven turnovers including three straight.

The Bulls were out boarding the Spurs on the offensive glass, bringing the energy, and ended up scoring 19 points on second chance points.

However the Spurs did go on an 8-0 run in the waning moments of the second quarter but Kurt Hinrich hit a three at he end of the first half, allowing the Bulls to take the lead at the half, 47-46 Bulls.

The Spurs did not take advantage of TD in the paint, shot 50% and allowed the Bulls to out board them, 10-1, on the offensive glass.  You know Pop blasted the Spurs at the half.

Third Quarter:

The Spurs started going to Duncan early and it paid off.  Noah was playing soft defense and TD went to the glass often.  Still the Spurs were not showing energy, hustle and at the 6:45 point of the third, the Bulls were up 58-52.

The Bulls then went on a 14-4 run and again the Spurs looked flat.  The Bulls did a great job at taking away the 3-point shot from the Spurs, forcing them to hit their mid-range shots which they were not hitting.

Again, second chance points favored the Bulls, 21-6, and at the end of three it was 74-64 Bulls.

TD was doing his best to keep the Spurs in the game with 22 points, 3 blocks and 2 steals heading into the fourth but the Spurs committed 10 turnovers.

Fourth Quarter:

Spurs started with Hill, Blair, RJ, McDyess, and Mason.

Spurs started 1-6 from the field and that speaks volumes.  They looked slow, were not making the extra pass, and no one was getting it going for the Spurs except for Duncan.

To make it worse, they died by the three tonight.  Spurs missed 14 straight three's before Finley hit one midway through the fourth.

Could it get worse?  Yes it can.  Bulls missed six shots but the Spurs didn't capitalize. Also Parker went scoreless in the second half.

End of game. Spurs lose to Bulls 92-85.  Spurs fall to 1-1.

Shiny Spur Award -- Tim Duncan.

He kept the Spurs in it and  finished with 28 points and 16 rebounds.

Rusty Spur Award -- Tony Parker.

All I have to say is he went scoreless in the second half.

Thoughts:

  • This was a back-to-back game for the Spurs and could this have been a reason for their lack luster performance?
  • They started off slow to begin the game as they did against the Hornets.  This is something that cannot become a pattern.
  • Do we chalk this up to a lack of gelling?
  • You would think a team with Blair, Duncan, and McDyess would not get out boarded but they did, 52-44
  • Spurs went 4-21 from 3-point land

What are your thought on the Spurs loss against the Bulls?  Please leave us your comments.

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Comments (8)Add Comment
3 Point Shooting
written by @fireb0x, October 30, 2009
The Spurs are one of the better 3 point shooting teams in the league normally. When they don't shoot well from 3 point land, they don't win. They don't score enough points normally to warrant not having to make the 3 ball. 4 for 21 is terrible and they can't expect to win if they are missing 3s AND getting outrebounded. If they are going to get out rebounded, they need to be better at pulling down offensive boards and getting second chance points (or at the LEAST second chance opportunities).

I do think that the flight from NO to CHI and it being back to back may have contributed also, though.
...
written by dtmprojk, October 30, 2009
rj and manu need to attack and finish or draw contact to get to the line more.

right now rj isn't showing the d and 3 that bowen provided.

adjustments need to be made.
...
written by Jeff -- Co Founder Project Spurs, October 30, 2009
See when the Spurs went on an offensive drought in the second half, I thought to myself, "Isn't this why we got RJ? Wasn't he to be the go to guy should others not get it going?"

RJ is attacking but not finishing. Let's not forget he went 1-7 vs Hornets and vs the Bulls he hit only 3 FG's
Soke TaizanRyu Taiho Jits/ Shiatsu Master
written by Joe Miller, October 30, 2009
Don’t understand the Spurs basketball players except Timmy. Timmy is a guy just Like Kobe giving 300% why because it is a business and he gets paid lots of money, and he wants another ring before retirement. Now the owners went on a limb this year spending over their cap, to get the players they need to get this ring and to give the ageing spurs youth, what happens they play their best their first game, and then come to Chicago, thinking that there stuff doesn't stink, and get beaten by a team who is not as good as they are, why because everyone on the team except for Timmy doesn't give a dam, they are not hungry as they say they are, Tony parker was sleeping maybe he just isn't the gutsy guard everyone thinks he is, and what he wrong with Richardson, talk is what thing he better prove himself, he look like cramp, the whole dam team except Timmy, that’s why I say the one player beside Timmy that cares are players like Kobe, Kevin Garnet these guys knows what it takes to be number one, I love the spurs 1000% guys show us and the fans you worth the money the owners spent this year, Ginoblli great to, he gives it all he has 12 points better than sleepy Tony parker
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written by Rita, October 31, 2009
So we had a horrible game...but we didn't lose as much as we should have. It was only the second game of the season, and personally I'll take the mental breakdowns now instead of later. The team will mesh as the season goes on and RJ will find his legs, etc. They have already shown what they are capable of against the Hornets. I've heard so many people already putting out the "end of the world rants" and it's quite annoying.

Back to backs have so much to do with the fatigue factor; not only is it the physical wear down from the previous game, but you have to take into consideration the flight to the location, the time spent in the airport waiting on luggage, etc....it turns into one heck of a trip.
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written by Jeff - Co Founder Project Spurs, October 31, 2009
@Rita

I agree but with young guys like Blair, Hill, RJ, Pop needs to play them more in situations like this.
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written by stephen l, October 31, 2009
I was wondering if Tony got more than the wind knocked out of him the night before.He was not up to full speed in Chicago it seemed to me.We'd never hear about it, if he was feeling bad, as the Spurs never make excuses. It sure is great seeing Manu back though. I don't think this team will take losses very well.Should be a good game tonight.
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written by Jeff - Co Founder Project Spurs, October 31, 2009
@stephen

TP did go scoreless for an entire 1/2. When was the last time you heard him do that????

The whole team looked out of synch. Back to back issue again? I hope not.

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