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Kenyon Martin. In the key sequence of the game, Martin wanted the ball more, getting two offensive boards after Tim Duncan rejected his first offering and making the free throws that gave New Jersey a 73-72 lead they never relinquished. To cap it off, his quick reaction altered Manu Ginobili's game-tying 3-point try in the final seconds. |
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Malik Rose. It's a shame we can only pick one Spur, but Rose takes the cake. He began the night by trying to dunk on Dikembe Mutombo again, but that was turned aside -- as were his next eight shots. His play was so putrid that Gregg Popovich ignored him in favor of Kevin Willis in the second half. |
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Popovich goes with Jackson. Popovich's decision to go with Tony Parker ahead of Speedy Claxton down the stretch has been criticized. But the real error was putting Stephen Jackson in during the fourth. In 97 seconds, the Nets scored seven straight points to take the lead. Jackson gave up all seven points and squeezed in a turnover before he was mercifully yanked. |
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Grumpy old men. After four games, the teams are developing a genuine dislike for each other. Leading the way were Willis and Mutombo, who each got into two staredowns -- including one with each other. Even normally docile guys like David Robinson and Rodney Rogers started getting chippy, setting the stage for a roughhouse rubber match on Friday. |
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Photo Credits:
Martin (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Rose (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images)
Popovich (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Mutombo (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NABE/Getty Images)
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