The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
O'Neal's double-double helps Suns snap Spurs' 18-game home winning streak, 105-101 in overtime
SAN ANTONIO - After a 25-day, nine-game road trip, the San Antonio Spurs were glad to be back in their own building, relaxed and ready to add to their 18-game home winning streak.
Maybe too relaxed.
Jermaine O'Neal had 22 points and 13 rebounds, Wesley Johnson hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime and the Phoenix Suns rallied to upend San Antonio 105-101, stunning a raucous crowd that had begun celebrating midway through the third quarter only to exit in silence.
Tony Parker had 22 points to lead San Antonio, which had not lost at home since Nov. 19 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Tim Duncan had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and DeJuan Blair and Kawhi Leonard added 15 points apiece.
Luis Scola added 15 points and Goran Dragic had 13 points and 13 assists for Phoenix, which snapped a six-game losing streak against the Spurs.
"We are all very upset, especially after the performance we had on the road," San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili said. "Coming back home and losing the first one is hard, but it happens. We got relaxed after such a long road trip, but this is what happens in the NBA when you do not play your best."
After going 7-2 on the road trip due to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, the league-leading Spurs (45-14) appeared to have the game well in hand following a strong third quarter by Parker.
Amid cries of "MVP," Parker had 10 points in the period as San Antonio extended its lead to double digits. His assist to Duncan with 10 minutes left in the third gave the Spurs a 56-45 lead and his 10-foot jumper put them up 69-58.
Leonard's 3 with 1.1 seconds gave San Antonio a 77-67 lead entering the fourth.
Trailing by 11 points with 11:29 left in the game, the Suns rallied behind O'Neal. The veteran centre had 13 points and five rebounds as Phoenix (20-39) outscored San Antonio 33-23 in the fourth.
"For us, we're obviously not in the playoff run, but it's about trying to be a better team," O'Neal said. "Games like these are what build character and put us in the right direction. That's what we're trying to do."
The Suns pulled within 97-95 with less than a minute remaining on Marcus Morris' 3. Parker attempted to keep the Spurs ahead, tossing in a floater, a jump shot and feeding Duncan for a jumper that gave San Antonio a 99-97 lead with 11 seconds left.
Ginobili made one of two free throws with 3.7 seconds left to make it 100-97. O'Neal rebounded Ginobili's second free throw attempt, firing a pass down court to Johnson, whose 3 at the buzzer tied the game at 100 and sent it to overtime.
"Overall we made a lot of mental errors," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Especially on that last play on the free throw line when Johnson went all the way down the court and he wasn't picked up. That cost us the game."
Johnson's 3 seemed to stun the Spurs even more so than the fans.
"I think we were kind of surprised that Manu missed that last free throw, but they made a great play," Parker said. "Wesley made a big 3."
San Antonio went 0 for 10 in overtime, its only points in the extra period coming when Parker made 1 of 2 free throws.
"I think they missed some shots they normally make, so defensively we did some things great that worked great for us," Phoenix coach Lindsey Hunter said.
The teams combined to go 0 for 14 to open overtime. Marcin Gortat's tip follow was the first basket of overtime, giving Phoenix a 102-101 lead with 1:07 left.
NOTES: After three weeks on the road, the Spurs were finally able to honour Parker as the NBA Player of the Month for January, doing so prior to the game. ... San Antonio observed a moment of silence in honour of Dr. Jerry Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers owner who died Feb. 18. ... The Spurs have won 64 games overall on its rodeo road trips, which began in 2003. ... A video highlighting the Spurs' recent road trip played prior to the game to Phillip Phillips' "Home." ... Dragic and reigning MVP LeBron James of Miami are the only players leading their team in points, assists, steals and free throw attempts. ... Scola, Gortat and Markieff Morris have played all 58 games for Phoenix, with Gortat starting each.
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More Basketball
- Back to Top
- Return to Basketball
More Basketball
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Captivating playoff run gives Golden State Warriors reason to believe better days are ahead
05/17/2013 7:21 PM 0Poll
Most Popular Basketball
- Warriors forward Harrison Barnes leaves playoff game with head injury
- Spurs hold off Warriors 94-82 in Game 6, advance to Western Conference finals against Memphis
- Pacers say Hill to undergo more concussion tests
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- Warriors season ends with stars banged up in 94-82 loss to Spurs in Game 6 of 2nd round
- NBA Summer League set to add a playoff, culminated by a championship
- Nerlens Noel says knee rehab ahead of schedule, hopeful of being No. 1 pick in NBA draft
- Anthony scores 28 points, Knicks beat Pacers 85-75 in Game 5 to stay alive
- Mayor: Deal to sell Kings to Sacramento group has been signed
- Smith's shot off in return from suspension as Knicks lose 92-86, fail to close out Celtics
- Judge says auction house cannot sell Kobe Bryant's stuff yet as legal issues get complicated
- Real Madrid upsets Barcelona 74-67, Olympiakos stuns CSKA 69-52 to reach Euroleague final
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- Top prospect follows his heart
- James shrugs off flopping accusations as Heat try to go up 3-1 on Bulls in Eastern semifinals
- Bulls' Rose not ruling out return this season; Deng out for Game 1, Wade back
- Grizzlies assistant coach Barry Hecker no longer with the team due to 'personal matter'
- James comes on strong down stretch to score 25, Bosh adds 20 points as Heat beat Bulls 104-94
- Column: Short-handed Bulls were most heartwarming tale of NBA post-season, but it's over.
- With chance to return to East finals, Heat back at home to host Bulls in Game 5
- Judge says auction house cannot sell Kobe Bryant's stuff yet as legal issues get complicated
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Jason Collins: Support after his decision to come out as gay NBA player has been 'incredible'
- 'Do me a solid' and free jailed American, Dennis Rodman asks North Korean leader in tweet
- Obama, Bill Clinton commend NBA player Collins on coming out as gay, offer support
- Real Madrid upsets Barcelona 74-67, Olympiakos stuns CSKA 69-52 to reach Euroleague final
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- MB Basketball hall of fame names new inductees
- LeBron James wins MVP for 4th time, 1 vote shy of being a unanimous selection
- Celtics talk about Collins' toughness, and laud ex-teammate's courage for coming out
Ads by Google












You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.