Last night, the Spurs were down Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, who both sat with ankle injuries. But it didn’t matter because San Antonio had Manu Ginobili, who dropped 36 points on the unsuspecting Raptors. He shot 8-15 from the field, but hit 6-8 from long range and 14-16 of his free throws. He also posted eight assists, four rebounds and four blocks in the Spurs’ 131-124 win.
The Raptors have to be disappointed with the loss. They shot 59% from the field and 65% from long range, but were outrebounded by nine and committed five more turnovers than the Spurs. Considering that San Antonio was without Duncan and Parker, that shouldn’t happen.
This was a big win for the Spurs, who avoided a 2-4 start…thanks to Ginobili.
In just 31 minutes of playing time, Kevin Durant posted 28 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in a 102-74 win over the Magic. Durant shot 11-17 from the field as the young Thunder upended a shorthanded Orlando team. (The Magic were without Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson due to sprained ankles, and Rashard Lewis is still suspended.)
Jason Richardson dropped 34 points and snagged 10 rebounds to give the Celtics a rare loss at the TD Garden. He was 10-16 from the field and 6-7 from long range. The Celtics shot almost 52% from the field and still lost, mainly because they allowed the Suns to shoot 54% from 3PT, bolstered by J-Rich’s hot night.
