Toronto (3-3) at San Antonio (2-3)

Fog Currently: San Antonio, TX
Temp: 46° F
  • Game info: 8:30 pm EST Mon Nov 9, 2009
  • TV: RAPT, FSSW

By BRETT HUSTON, STATS Writer Nov 8, 2:17 pm EST

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The San Antonio Spurs had one of the league’s best road records last season, but they’re off to a woeful start away from AT&T Center and will be without Tony Parker(notes) for the next week.

Perhaps a lengthy stretch back home will get coach Gregg Popovich’s team back on track.

The Spurs look to avoid their first three-game losing streak since the beginning of last season Monday night when they open a stretch of 10 of 12 at home against the Toronto Raptors.

San Antonio (2-3) lost three in a row to open the 2008-09 season - two at home - but their current struggles have come on the road. The Spurs, who were 26-15 on the road last season, have won their two home games by an average of 18.0 points, but are 0-3 away from home.

They were in trouble from the outset in consecutive losses at Utah and Portland last week, falling behind by 10 after one quarter in a 113-99 loss to the Jazz on Thursday, then trailing by 15 after 12 minutes in a 96-84 defeat to the Trail Blazers one night later.

“We committed too many mistakes from the get-go,” said guard Manu Ginobili(notes), who’s averaging 13.8 points but shooting just 39.2 percent. “It’s too bad. It shouldn’t be happening. We’ve really got to step out and try to play 48 minutes.”

San Antonio outscored Portland the final three quarters, but also played most of the final 36 minutes without Parker. The three-time All-Star sprained his left ankle in the second - the same ankle he hurt nearly a year ago to the day - and expects to miss about a week.

Parker said this sprain isn’t as severe as the one that caused him to miss three weeks last season, but the Spurs will certainly miss him considering he averaged 23.0 points and 7.0 assists in two games against the Raptors (3-3) in 2008-09.

Each team won on its home floor, with Toronto overcoming 32 points from Ginobili and injuries to Chris Bosh(notes) and Jose Calderon(notes) to win 91-89 on Feb. 11.

Bosh is among the league’s top five scorers through six games, averaging 28.5 points, and he’s also among the NBA’s rebounding leaders with 11.8 per contest.

The Raptors, however, have given up 108.2 points per game, and had one of their worst defensive efforts in years their last time out. Toronto allowed Dallas to shoot 62.4 percent Saturday - the best field-goal percentage by an opponent against the Raptors in more than six years - in a 129-101 loss.

“I’m disappointed in the way that we played, but they had more energy, they had more movement, they had better confidence shooting the basketball and that’s why you get a result like this,” coach Jay Triano said.

Toronto has made 40.0 percent of its shots from beyond the arc thus far, with Andrea Bargnani(notes) emerging as a consistent 3-point threat. The former No. 1 overall pick seems to have made some big strides in his game, shooting 52.4 percent overall and 51.6 percent from 3-point range - both significant improvements over last season.

He’s also averaging 20.7 points, a 5.3-point increase.

For the Raptors to have a chance, though, they’ll need Bosh to play better than he typically has against Tim Duncan(notes). The four-time All-Star has averaged 13.0 points on 35.1 percent shooting in his last four games versus Duncan, while the Spurs’ big man has averaged 20.3 points on 60.0 percent shooting with three blocks.

Updated Nov 8, 2:17 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Toronto 6-7 2nd Atlantic / 9th East 107.1 108.2 Road 2-6 Won 1 5-5
San Antonio 5-6 3rd Southwest / 9th West 99.8 97.5 Home 5-2 Won 1 4-6

Notes

F Shawn Marion scored a season-high 34 points in the Raptors' season-ending victory, while F Chris Bosh set a season high with 19 boards. ... F Andrea Bargnani missed his second straight game with a sore left heel.

Apr 15, 11:25 pm EDT

G Tony Parker had 27 points of his 38 points in the first half. ... The Spurs avoided consecutive home playoff losses for the first time since 2002. ... Parker finished 16-of-22 from the field. He had 19 points in the first quarter alone, equaling the Mavericks' total.

Apr 21, 12:41 am EDT
NBA

27 Comments

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  1. NinaR
    27. Posted by NinaR Wed Nov 11 11:43am EST

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    hey, the spurs aren't old... i like to think of it as 'mature' or 'well-seasoned' :D it works for them... these guys know each other like the backs of their own hands! and they're so willing to accept the new guys for the sake of a great season for the fans that this year should be a great one for them...

    'out with the old and in with the new' isn't as true here in good ol' SA... tony, tim and manu are our rocks; the perfect base for these young players to learn a how a fantastic offense is built and the value of humility (*ahem* lebron!)

    go spurs go!
  2. Ser latino
    26. Posted by Ser latino Wed Nov 11 9:19am EST

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    Hey LA Lickers, be aware, Manu is back!
  3. deal WITH it
    25. Posted by deal WITH it Tue Nov 10 5:59pm EST

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    the only reason lakers won last year is because,Manu was hurt.even the guy they call bryant said it . if ginobili stay healthy,the lakers will be done,and quick! once they get themselves together,look out.GINOBILI scares KOBE! Ginobili the best player and the smartest player in the world and jordan/kobe/referees best three players in the United States! just because the media talks these players up, and not ginobili we see by watching what player are players! !!!!!!!!!!GO SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  4. Carlo
    24. Posted by Carlo Tue Nov 10 3:22pm EST

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    The Spurs window is completely closed. The only way they get back on top is another #1 pick.
  5. Icedragon
    23. Posted by Icedragon Tue Nov 10 2:28pm EST

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    If anybody needs proof that the Raptors are not even close to being a contending team, this game was it. A team missing its two best players and the Raptors (with no injuries) still can't win? And give up a whopping 131 points to boot? What an embarassment. And its not the first time they've done it. They also put up a stinker against an Orlando team missing 2 of its best players (Carter and Lewis). The time is defintely not now. If they hope to keep Bosh around with this crap, they are dreaming.
  6. Jason S
    22. Posted by Jason S Tue Nov 10 12:06pm EST

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    Well said, The Greatest. However, contracts in T.O are inflated to entice players and coaches alike to work in Canada.
    The root of the problem with the Raptors, as I have always maintained since their breakout, overachieving first season with Colangelo as GM, has been Bryan Colangelo and his misguided, Euro-league approach to the uber-athletic NBA. He's probably the only GM in the league who feels Calderon and Bargnani are worthy starters.
    The Raps should've drafted Jennings, and they should make a move for a player like Rudy Gay.
    The bleeding will never stop in Toronto until Colangelo is fired.
  7. The Greatest
    21. Posted by The Greatest Tue Nov 10 11:10am EST

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    For people to talk about the Raptors and their potential is just shamefull, especially after last night....why?

    No Tim Duncan
    No Tony Parker
    and
    Manu Ginobili coming off the bench....

    One would think that ANYONE should beat this depleted San Antonio team.....but no.

    The Raptors give up 131 points to a team without their star players on the court.

    That is an utter disgrace. Jay Triano getting a contract extension after last year's pitiful performance is a joke, and it showed last night...he has no appreciable coaching skills.

    Jay Triano needs to get fired.....then again, what does he care, Colangelo signed him to a big money contract already.
  8. <i>mardericpresto</i>
    20. Posted by mardericpresto Tue Nov 10 10:47am EST

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    calderon's defence should improve..he should not let the big 3s to be foul troubled.he shouldn't use his foul unnecessarily..limit jack's 3-point shots-he should only shoot @ d perimeter.
  9. Roc
    19. Posted by Roc Tue Nov 10 10:27am EST

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    Carlo B good call, Chris W read the post following yours it's like clock work. Great win for the Spurs going without 2 of the big 3. G Hill had a great game and he's really starting to look comfortable playing the point. RJ had a great game and he's becoming the option Pop envisioned for him, this week without Parker should be good for Manu to find his rythm with the ball in his hands more and it showed last night. Go Spurs
  10. Texas_Hurricane
    18. Posted by Texas_Hurricane Tue Nov 10 10:19am EST

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    Somebody Wrote Yesterday That The Rap's Were Going To Win The West....If You Can't Beat The Guys In The Walkers,Then You Are In Big Trouble!
  11. Richard L
    17. Posted by Richard L Tue Nov 10 10:02am EST

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    How about moving Johnson into ceter, getting the rookie DeRozen to sit and watch how to go for rebounds. Bargnani had 2 good games rebounding and now back to his good old self with 4 to 5 boards a game. That is simply not enough at the NBA level for either forward or center. We have two gapping holes in Calderon and Bargnani and if you do not have Johnson or Nesterovic in the middle to block up the traffic, Raptors won't win.
  12. bb946ja
    16. Posted by bb946ja Tue Nov 10 9:01am EST

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    Raps need to FOCUS on DEFENSE... 3rd highest scoring team doesn't mean anything if you give up more than what you score... I would love for the Raps to get to the playoffs but they won't get far with that LAX on D!
  13. Rodrigo
    15. Posted by Rodrigo Tue Nov 10 8:31am EST

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    go spurs... the old player beat the youngers... thats how spurs played
  14. <i>juarezcarlo</i>
    14. Posted by juarezcarlo Tue Nov 10 5:35am EST

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    manu getting back to his old self, good game also for RJ and GHill
  15. richard s
    13. Posted by richard s Tue Nov 10 3:46am EST

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    San antonio is way too old! go lakers------repeat!!!!!
  16. Chris W
    12. Posted by Chris W Tue Nov 10 12:55am EST

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    Carlos you seem to be the insecure one bringing the Lakers into it....congrats on a gutty win without Duncan and Parker...
  17. Carlo B
    11. Posted by Carlo B Tue Nov 10 12:41am EST

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    nice win..soon the insecure haters will fill this posts again on how good the Fakers are...
  18. JY
    10. Posted by JY Mon Nov 9 11:59pm EST

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    Disappointed that we lost, but still a great matc was played!
  19. Pig_Benis
    9. Posted by Pig_Benis Mon Nov 9 11:34pm EST

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    That's the way. Need to crank up the defence though Big Silver Machine.
  20. henri p
    8. Posted by henri p Mon Nov 9 11:29pm EST

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    Yea, they played Marco more then ten minutes...now you see he has skill.
  21. japesh
    7. Posted by japesh Mon Nov 9 11:24pm EST

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    c'mon raptors they keep trying and just give it them at the so sad
  22. Master Blaster
    6. Posted by Master Blaster Mon Nov 9 11:24pm EST

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    Go Manu!!
  23. <i>complex2501</i>
    5. Posted by complex2501 Mon Nov 9 6:56pm EST

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    Spurs need a win. They just need to take it one game at a time...
  24. Quency
    4. Posted by Quency Mon Nov 9 6:35pm EST

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    go bosh
  25. <i>stevefaulkner66</i>
    3. Posted by stevefaulkner66 Mon Nov 9 6:31pm EST

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    go raps go
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