Game 27 Recap: Spurs Bench the Clippers
December 22nd, 2009 | by clipshow817 |LA CLIPPERS 87 – SA SPURS 103
CLIPPERS 19 27 18 23 87
SPURS 33 24 28 18 103
On a night where the only starters for either team to put up decent numbers were Chris Kaman and Tony Parker, the bench again played a huge roll in the outcome of the game. For the 14th straight game the Clippers lost to the Spurs and although the they started off hot with a 13-2 lead, that disappeared in a heartbeat and the game was basically over when the Spurs ended the 1st quarter with a 15-2 run.
Although Eric Gordon and Kaman cut the lead down to 39-35, the Spurs again built that back up to 14 and ended the half up 11.
Like the first quarter the Clippers started the 3rd period well cutting the deficit to 59-52. But like the 1st quarter the Spurs ended the 3rd period on a 17-4 run to put it out of reach.
The Spurs play solid defense and don’t turn the ball over much (7 total). Once they get a lead its difficult to come back on this team as they are consistent in their defensive rotation and can guard at all 5 positions.
The Spurs were led by Parker’s 19 points. Tim Duncan finished with 13. Ho-hum stats for Timmy (3 rebounds) but with the play of the bench he really didn’t have to do much carrying of the team. Even fan favorite Manu Ginobili didn’t have a spectacular game. It was the Spur’s bench that carried the load out scoring the Clipper bench 41-27. Theo Ratliff, Roger Mason and Antonio McDyess all scored in double figures. The Spurs also had a decided advantage at the charity stripe outscoring the Clippers 20-10 and taking more free throws overall (26-15). Is that aggressiveness or home cooking?
The Clippers were led by Kaman’s 23 points and 15 rebounds. Rasual Butler did have a nice game off the bench scoring 18 points.
Now 2-2 on this 6-game road trip, the Clippers still need to face the pesky Houston Rockets and the revived Phoenix Suns.
Tags: Antonio McDyess, Chris Kaman, Manu Ginobili, Rasual Butler, Roger Mason, Theo Ratliff, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker
