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

Mar 12, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter (22) goes up for a layup past Minnesota Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma (34) and Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Derrick Williams (7) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight marks the end of a regular season that ended with news that many were and probably are still shocked by.  The Los Angeles Lakers losing Kobe Bryant to a season ending injury.  The San Antonio Spurs were dealing with injuries left and right and then this passed Friday, they released a fan favorite in Stephen Jackson.  Fellow Spurs blogging sites have stated what I too have read, that what happened between Jax and Popovich was going on for weeks and it just boiled over.

San Antonio (58-23) has lost six of nine, blowing a chance at the West’s top seed – recently clinched by Oklahoma City. The Spurs had lost just six of their previous 33 games before this slump, which includes Monday’s 116-106 defeat at Golden State.

With the release of Stephen Jackson, came some news (whichever you want to take it) from the Spurs, Tuesday night, as they signed Tracy McGrady.  There are rumors going around that T-Mac will not make his debut until the playoffs, but, NBA.Com writer Justin Einhorn, states Popovich will play everyone that is available tonight, including McGrady.

Popovich plans to play everyone available – even possibly Manu Ginobili and newcomer Tracy McGrady – in the regular-season finale Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

On to the game tonight at the AT&T Center.  The Minnesota Timberwolves, who has also had their shares of up and downs, on paper seem to have a pretty talented team.   They feature a very talented point guard, a bunch of intriguing role players, a soon to be all-star center, and the whole ship is anchored by a fantastic power forward.

San Antonio is looking for win number three against these lonely T-Wolves.  In the last meeting on March 12, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan did not make the trip.  The Spurs were led by Corey Joseph who scored 15 in a 107 to 83 loss in Minnesota.  Ricky Rubio dazzled and amazed the fans as he paced the Wolves with 21 points and 12 assists.

I am looking forward to see EVERYONE on the floor tonight for the Spurs.  I am pretty excited to see one Tracy McGrady in silver and black.  There are many probably scratching their heads on this signing but we here at Air Alamo feel he is a good signing and will bring us what we need for our playoff push.  This will be the type of momentum push that we need heading into the postseason.

We really do appreciate our readers of Air Alamo and thank you for taking the time out of your schedules to come to our snazzy home.  Here is to the end of the regular season.  We will see you guys in the playoffs!!!!!

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Point Guards
Tony Parker – Ricky Rubio

Shooting Guards
Danny Green – Luke Ridnour

Small Forwards
Kawhi Leonard – Derrick Williams

Power Forwards 
Tim Duncan – Andrei Kirilenko

Centers
Tiago Splitter – Dante Cunningham

Bench
Tracy McGrady, Gary Neal, Matt Bonner – JJ Barea, Alexey Shved

Coaches
Gregg “The MasterMind” Popovich – Rick Adelman

GAME AND BROADCAST INFORMATION

When:  April 17th, 2013 at 8:00 PM (Spurs Time)
Where:  AT&T Center, San Antonio Texas
Television:  FSSW   Radio:  1200 AM WOAI (Local)