| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
 GAME FLOW
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns were able to do more with
less than the San Antonio Spurs.
In a game that tied an NBA playoff record for fewest points,
Cliff Robinson and Penny Hardaway each scored 17 points and Corie
Blount hit three free throws in the closing seconds as the Suns
opened the first-round series with a 72-70 victory Saturday.
|  | | The Spurs were without Tim Duncan Saturday. They're hoping to get him back for Game 2 on Tuesday. |
The 142 points tied the playoff record set by Atlanta and
Detroit on May 12, 1999. Game 2 in the best-of-five series is
Tuesday night at the Alamodome.
"This was a big confidence boost for us, especially the way we
ended the season." Robinson said. "To come in here and beat this
team gives us confidence going into Game 2.
"If we get the next one, we can close it out in Phoenix."
Neither team played at full strength. San Antonio's Tim Duncan,
the MVP of last year's NBA Finals, missed the game because of torn
cartilage in his left knee. Phoenix guard Jason Kidd is still
recovering from a broken ankle.
"Our offense couldn't get it done on a consistent basis and
that hurt us," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "The free-throw
situation obviously was not good. If we had taken care of business
at the line, we would have been in good shape."
The defending champion Spurs were 12-for-21 at the line.
Phoenix led 41-35 at the half, and opened the third quarter with
an 11-6 run to make it 52-41. But the Spurs didn't wilt, going on a
16-4 run that gave them a 57-56 lead with 10:34 left in the game.
"This is the kind of game we've played against San Antonio all
year," Suns coach Scott Skiles said. "It's an ugly yet exciting
game. We both seem to shoot under 40 percent. We won and I'm happy
about that."
It still wasn't over until Rodney Rogers stole an inbounds pass
with seven-tenths of a second left to kill the Spurs' final chance.
Phoenix got the lead for good with 1:24 left on a basket by
Rogers, who scored 15 points. Blount, a 49-percent free-throw
shooter during the regular season, hit two free throws with 48
seconds showing for a 71-68 lead.
San Antonio center David Robinson's layup made it 71-70,
and Blount hit another free throw with one second remaining.
"I was happy to make those free throws," Blount said. "Once
you get in that situation you want to come through. Once you sit on
the bench, you see what needs to be done when you get into the
game. When you get the call, you'd better be ready."
Sean Elliott led San Antonio with 15 points and Samaki Walker
had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Robinson was 3-for-12 from the field
and finished with 11 points.
"They did a great job. They double-teamed me," David Robinson
said. "We have to make adjustments. We need guys to step up. We
need to find a better way to be effective."
After trailing most of the first half, the Suns went on a 20-9
run over the final seven minutes of the second quarter for a 41-35
lead at the half after both teams got off to cold shooting starts.
The Spurs hit only two of their first 14 shots, and Phoenix
opened 3-for-14.
David Robinson was called for two fouls in the first seven
minutes of the game and the Spurs had to rely on Walker, who had
nine rebounds and seven points in the first quarter. Walker
averaged 3.8 rebounds in the regular season.
Hardaway had eight points in the Suns' second quarter charge to
their halftime lead.
Game notes
Spurs forward Jerome Kersey is making his 15th playoff
appearance, tied for second for most appearances among active
players. Only Utah's John Stockton (16) has reached more playoffs.
... The Suns are 10-9 in first-round series and have lost in the
first round the last four seasons.
| |
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
San Antonio Clubhouse
RECAPS
Miami 95
Detroit 85
Phoenix 72
San Antonio 70
Utah 104
Seattle 93
Philadelphia 92
Charlotte 82
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Scott Skiles says the Suns win when they play well.
wav: 121 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Gregg Popovich says the Spurs have to move on and prepare for Game 2.
wav: 134 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Kevin Johnson says anything can happen with confidence.
wav: 120 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Sean Elliott says Phoenix just won the game.
wav: 104 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
|
