SAN ANTONIO at BOSTON 6pm
SAN ANTONIO at BOSTON
SAN ANTONIO 42-18 at BOSTON 36-26
On 1-12-03 the SPURS slipped by the BOSTON CELTICS 81-80. The win extended the SPUR'S home win streak over the CELTICS to 12 games straight and 16 of the last 17 overall.
At the half it was SAN ANT 47 BOST 40, but after the third it was BOST 70 SAN ANT 65. SAN ANTONIO scored only 34 points in the second half, but edged BOSTON 16-10 in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.
SAN ANTONIO went on a 10-4 run to pull within 80-78 with just 1:51 to play. After one possession each, which were both fruitless, STEPHON JACKSON buried a 3 pointer from the left wing and left only 10 seconds on the clock. PAUL PIERCE missed a tough fade away jumper as time expired. There was one period in the fourth quarter, late in the fourth when SAN ANTONIO went for 12 minutes scoring only one basket.
BOSTON came into the game on 1 day rest after a 103-78 drubbing at DALLAS, making this game the fourth of a four game road trip.
SAN ANTONIO came in on 2 days rest after a close loss 90-87 at PORTLAND, which was the third game of a three game road venture.
SCORING for BOSTON was led by PAUL PIERCE 25, ANTOINE WALKER 15(10 reb), and JR BREMER 10 points respectively.
SPURS were led by TIM DUNCAN 21(9reb), STEPHON JACKSON 18 and 12 points by TONY PARKER
In the two meetings last year SAN ANTONIO won both, 93-90 in BOSTON and 111-104 in SAN ANTONIO.In the game at BOSTON the CELTICS led 90-89 with 1:28 to go. SMITH hit a jumper with 1:10 remaining. PAUL PIERCE missed a jumper down the stretch and SMITH converted a pair of free throws to close out the scoring.
In SAN ANTONIO the SPURS led 99-89 with 3:42 to go. The CELTICS drew to within 2 points(99-97 on 8 consecutive with 2:31 left. DANNY FERRY then hit two 3 pointers in clutch fashion to put the game out of reach.
After the game the SPURS head coach GREGG POPOVICH said of BOSTON" we just beat one hell of a team".
If Boston'S three point game is in its usual superb form, they have a good chance to win this game. If its not it will be 17 of the last 18 for SAN ANTONIO. BOSTON lives and dies on the 3 point shot.