Game Recap: Tony Parker Leads Spurs Over Warriors, 102 92. Lead Series 2-1

May 10, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich instructs against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of game three of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Pop. Two wins down and two to go.

In what proves to be the shortest recap I ever write this postseason, since I missed most of the game, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, 102-92. With the win the Spurs take back control of homecourt and are only two wins away from advancing to the Western Conference Finals.

It’s a miracle! Everything we’ve talked about in the last couple of days came true. Moving the ball, keeping up the defensive intensity and praying that shots will eventually fall…it all came together. The Spurs shot 51% from the field and had 21 assists on 40 field goals, a massive improvement from Game 2. Tony Parker returned to MVP candidate form to lead San Antonio with 32 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Also leading the way for the silver and black, Old Man Riverwalk aka Tim Duncan, with a modest 23 points and 10 rebounds.

For Golden State, it was a rough night of shooting at

ROARacle

Oracle Arena.  The Warriors only managed 92 points on a night when ESPN constantly showed the decibel level at the arena was over 100. Danny Green managed to keep Steph Curry in check most of the night, holding the flamethrower to just 16 points (on 17 shots) and 8 assists. The other half of the “Splash Brothers”, Klay Thompson, added 17 points (on 20 shots) with 8 rebounds.

Up next, San Antonio will have the spotlight all to themselves as they’re the only game being played on Sunday afternoon. The Spurs have to smell the blood in the water. Win Game 4 and this series is virtually over.

Game Notes

• Tony Parker injured his calf and Steph Curry sprained his surgically repaired ankle in Game 3. If Curry ends up missing time, the Warriors have said they’ll rely on Jarrett Jack. For the Spurs, Cory Joseph seems to be the logical option to step up in Tony’s place. But Manu Ginobili is the one that really needs to step up his level of play, as he’s shooting just 33% in this series.
• Danny Green gets crushed a lot for missing shots and underwhelming when it matters, but defensively, he is all over Steph Curry. The thought that the Spurs were putting Kawhi Leonard on Curry towards the end of Game 1 to stop him is just laughable now. Green is swarming all over Steph, constantly moving his arms and poking the ball away to make Curry uncomfortable. And it’s been an absolute joy to watch.
• Remember when the Warriors shooting was believed to be sustainable? Funny thing…

Curry is 17 for 50 since second quarter in Game 1. Thompson is 9 for 28 since first half in Game 2.

— Dan McCarney (@danmccarneysaen) May 11, 2013

Tweet(s) of the Night

Hat-tip to Matthew Tynan at Pounding the Rock and 48 Minutes of Hell, who has put up with so much of my Manu Ginobili slander throughout the playoffs.

Great stat: when Danny Green is defending Steph, Curry is 2-for-19 from the floor.

— Matthew R Tynan (@Matthew_Tynan) May 11, 2013

Wine. Lots of it.

A pop study in the 4th. twitter.com/HPbasketball/s…

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 11, 2013