mr.jameswoods;1883927 said:
Spurs are playing Detroit next. For guys like Nors who profess there is less discrepancy between the two conferences, this game will help answer that since Detroit is the second best team in the east and currently the #1 ranked team on Marc Stein's power poll
Thats called looking ahead - another loss for the Spurs in the West.
Golden State 130, San Antonio 121, OT
Preview - Box Score - Recap - Highlights
By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer
January 8, 2008
AP - Jan 8, 1:52 am EST
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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Even after Stephen Jackson scored 12 points in overtime with one clutch shot after another, the Warriors swingman knew who really carried Golden State to a stirring win over the defending NBA champions.
"I know if I had a choice between myself and Baron, I'd put the ball in Baron's hands," Jackson said.
Over and over, the Warriors did just that against the San Antonio Spurs -- and the remarkable Baron Davis came through again.
Davis had 34 points and 14 assists while creating offense on nearly every possession in the final 10 minutes of Golden State's 130-121 victory Monday night.
The style clash between freeflowing Golden State and orderly San Antonio was entertaining throughout, but Davis put on the best show. He had 12 points in the fourth quarter during a stunning series of baskets before the Spurs erased a six-point deficit in the final 47 seconds, forcing overtime on Tony Parker's 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds left.
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Davis simply altered his game, getting three assists and a key basket in overtime as the Warriors pulled away. All told, Davis was responsible for 28 points with baskets and assists in the final 5 minutes of regulation and OT.
"I thought our spirits were really down, but somehow we got it back together," coach Don Nelson said. "And I think we can thank Baron for this one."
Jackson, who rallied from a terrible start to finish with 29 points, hit two free throws and two 3-pointers on passes from Davis in a 56-second span of overtime. Davis added a silky pullback jumper with 43 seconds to play, ensuring San Antonio's second loss at Golden State in four weeks.
Few January games carry more importance than this victory for the Warriors, who won the season series with the Spurs for the first time since 1996-97. They also avoided their first three-game losing streak since beginning the season 0-6.
"It was a much-needed victory to scratch that two-game streak we were on," Davis said of consecutive home losses to Denver and New Orleans. "We were consistent, and especially against the champs, we knew we were going to have to play like that. This is one of those victories that can kind of snap you out of it."
Tim Duncan, who didn't play in the Spurs' previous trip to Oakland on Dec. 11, had 32 points and 13 rebounds, while Parker finished with 31 points and eight assists. The Warriors' tenacity prevented Spurs coach Gregg Popovich from getting his 600th career victory.
"They're going to take some crazy shots," Duncan said. "On a night like tonight where those shots go down, they're a very dangerous club, and unfortunately for us, they went down at some inopportune times."
AP - Jan 8, 1:46 am EST
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Monta Ellis and Kelenna Azubuike scored 16 points apiece for the Warriors, who blew a 14-point lead in the second half before Davis went to work against Bruce Bowen, the Spurs' defensive specialist.
Davis generated 12 points on four consecutive possessions during the final minutes of regulation with a 3-pointer, two consecutive three-point plays and an assist on Jackson's 3-pointer. Another 3-pointer by Davis put Golden State up 110-104 with 57 seconds left in regulation, but Duncan scored five straight points before Parker's tying shot.
Ime Udoka then stripped the ball from Davis on a drive, and Mickael Pietrus' 3-point attempt at the buzzer rattled out.
"I thought our effort was great, and in the end we got beat from the 3-point line," Popovich said. "They did a good job knocking down those shots, and hit a couple in overtime. ... We did a great job, and Golden State did a little bit better job. They earned it."
Manu Ginobili scored 20 points for San Antonio in his second game back from a five-game absence with a sprained finger, and Duncan looked solid one day after banging knees with Corey Maggette in the Spurs' victory over the Clippers on Sunday.
San Antonio opens a four-game homestand against Detroit on Thursday, and Popovich still is looking for his 600th career victory. He's seventh among active coaches -- and still 653 behind Nelson, Popovich's boss for two seasons during Nelson's first stint with the Warriors.
"It took me 10 years longer to get 600 wins. What's wrong with that guy?" Nelson cracked before the game.
