Spurs Bounce Warriors Back To 9th in Playoff Race
Given that the Dubs had not beaten the Spurs in San Antonio in 11 years, Don Nelson probably didn't have high hopes for the start of a tough four game road trip that may make or break the team's playoff chances. If so, he would have been right as the Spurs clobbered the Warriors 116-92. The game was actually competitive until the final moments of the third quarter with the score 75-73, but the Spurs blew things wide open, which allowed Nelly to scale back his starter minutes in preparation for a key game tonight in Dallas. Perhaps the biggest problem with the Warriors' game plan was the lack of ball movement which resulted in a season low eight assists on the night. Baron Davis paced the Warriors with 19 points in a 30 minute appearance, while Tony Parker led the victors with 26 points and seven assists.
The loss, coupled with a Denver wins drops the Dubs 1/2 game behind the Nuggest for the last playoff position with eight games to go. Tonight's game with Dallas will provide an opportunity to jump back into it though with a win. That should be attainable considering the Mavs will be without Dirk Nowitzki or Jerry Stackhouse. A GSW win would knot things back into a three-way for seventh place in what remains the most fascinating NBA playoff race in recent memory.
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