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Game Recap: Timberwolves Hand Spurs Third Straight Loss, 108-95

By John Diaz

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Apr 17, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (right) hugs Minnesota Timberwolves guard Luke Ridnour (13) after fouling him during the second half at the AT

There was only one goal for tonight’s game: Get through the next 48 minutes healthy. That’s one victory that won’t show up in the standings.

The San Antonio Spurs dropped the final game of the regular season, 108-95 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sure the Spurs defense at times was disappointing, and it seems as if the 3-pointers aren’t falling quite as often nowadays, but there were many positives to take out of the game.

Tim Duncan had a monster stat line with 17 points and 14 rebounds in just 27 minutes of action. Also for the Spurs, Tony Parker showed flashes of his former self, getting to the basket at will and drawing fouls. Parker finished with 15 points and 8 assists, going a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line. For the bench mob, Gary Neal’s confidence has to be soaring right now. Neal was masterful at running into the lane and displayed his improved teardrop, giving himself 17 points in only 21 minutes.

Leading the way for the T-Wolves, former 2nd overall pick Derrick Williams impressed with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The Wolves bench was anchored by the man everyone loves to hate, J.J. Barea, who had 10 points and 4 boards while dishing out 5 dimes in 25 minutes.

The race to 16 wins begins Sunday for the Spurs as they will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, at 2:30 PM CST. Go Spurs Go!

Game Notes

The loss to Minnesota marks the first time the Spurs have lost 3 consecutive games all season, something that the 2011-2012 Spurs didn’t do.

Kawhi Leonard missed his only 3-point attempt tonight, and hasn’t made a 3-pointer since April 6th versus the Atlanta Hawks. But in fairness, Leonard didn’t play against Golden State, and the only game where he’s attempted more than one 3-point field goal lately, was last Friday versus the Kings where he went 0-5.

Tim Duncan continues to not give a damn about Father Time. Duncan had 15 points and 9 boards in only 18 first half minutes, and grabbed his 10th with 8 minutes left in the 3rd. Duncan finished the season averaging 17.8 points and 9.94 rebounds a game. His best numbers since ’09-’10 when he averaged 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.

Manu Ginobili returned tonight and looked good. That’s all that matters.

  • One of the Spurs biggest advantages this season has been free throw shooting. San Antonio is ranked 4th in the NBA making 79% of their free throws, and that percentage only increased tonight, as the Spurs were a perfect 22 of 22 from the charity stripe.
  • A reason why the Spurs have been a .500 team over their last 20 games, from Dan McCarney: Over the first 61 games, San Antonio was best in the league at defending the 3-point shot (32.4%), but over their last 20 games, the Spurs have regressed to 11th in the NBA, letting opponents shoot 43.2% from beyond the arch. Ouch.

    • The Spurs went 10-10 over their last 20 games, which as we know is almost the complete opposite of how the silver and black went into last years postseason. But not to worry, via Jeff McDonald:

    Spurs are 10-10 in final 20 games. Which sounds alarming, except: Miami’s last 20 games last year, 11-9.

    — Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) April 18, 2013

    Dallas’ last 20 in 2011: 12-8. The Lakers’ last 20 in 2010: 11-9.

    — Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) April 18, 2013

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