 |
Tim's time
Duncan takes over in fourth to put Spurs ahead in series
Posted: Friday June 13, 2003 11:53 PM
Updated: Saturday June 14, 2003 12:36 AM
| |
Duncan dominated defensively too, with four blocked shots. Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/
Getty Images |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Expectations for Tim Duncan are so
high that when he averaged 21 points in Games 2, 3 and 4 of the NBA
Finals, there were actually whispers that he wasn't doing enough
for the San Antonio Spurs.
He left no room for doubt in Game 5.
Duncan had 29 points and 17 rebounds and was a steady presence
during a tight stretch early in the fourth quarter as the Spurs
beat the New Jersey Nets 93-83 Friday night to get within a victory
of their second NBA championship.
Duncan made 10-of-18 shots and, most impressively, was 9-of-10
from the foul line. He also had four assists and four blocks,
helping overcome his six turnovers.
"Tim was great tonight from the get-go," center David Robinson
said. "That was one of the keys. When he gets started early, our
confidence level is just higher. Guys just feel better and play
better."
Funny thing is, Duncan's numbers weren't terribly different from
the Spurs' Game 4 loss. The change was in his supporting cast.
San Antonio shot 47.8 percent, a quantum leap from the 28.9
percent they made the previous game.
"Good effort," said Duncan, who had his best game since
scoring 32 in the opener. "We shot the ball a little better. Our
turnovers were still there but we were able to get a lead, and down
the stretch we kept it."
The improvement by his teammates was huge because it meant that
when the Nets concentrated too much on him, someone else could get
the job done.
A perfect example was early in the fourth with the Spurs up
72-67. He'd just hit two free throws on the previous possession,
and as San Antonio crossed midcourt, New Jersey coach Byron Scott
screamed for his team to beware of Duncan around the foul line.
But Duncan stayed in the low post, holding off his defender
until Kenyon Martin came over for a double team. When he did,
Duncan zipped the ball to Malik Rose for a layup.
"He just really did a great job of making that decision between
when he was going to do it, when he was going to trust his
teammates, kick it to other people and let them have at it," coach
Gregg Popovich said. "I thought his timing was good. He didn't
hold it too long or kick it too soon, which is harder than people
think."
Next time down, Duncan spun toward the baseline and threw up a
sharply angled jumper that banged around the rim and hit the
backboard before falling.
The two-time MVP was at his consistent best, scoring eight
points in the first quarter, six in the second, nine in the third
and six in the fourth. As usual, though, many of them were scored
with key baskets.
His best roll came at the end of the second quarter and start of
the third. It started with a rare dunk, then continued with a long
turnaround jumper that swished through just as the halftime buzzer
sounded, sending the Spurs into the break with a nine-point lead.
He kept it going in the third quarter with San Antonio's first
five points. His next points came from the foul line with 3:10 left
in the third. Fittingly, they put the Spurs ahead for good.
"I can't say he stepped up. He steps up his game every game all
year," guard Stephen Jackson said. "He's the MVP and he plays
like it every game. And we're not surprised with Tim's effort."
Now the series is headed back to the Alamo City for one or maybe
two games. History is favoring the Spurs.
"I'd rather be where we are than where they are," Duncan said.
One more win and Duncan almost certainly will be the Finals MVP,
just like he was in 1999.
He'd be only the eighth multiple winner of that award -- which
began in 1969 -- joining the elite cast of Shaquille O'Neal, Michael
Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar and Willis Reed.
Duncan also could become the 13th player to win the regular
season and Finals MVP, and the 20th player to add a ring the same
season he was MVP. O'Neal did both feats last season.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
|
|
