San Antonio Spurs: What Went Right and Wrong on the Rodeo Trip

The San Antonio Spurs recently completed their nine game road trip, also known as their rodeo trip. The Spurs went 4-5 on the trip.

The first game on the trip was a difficult one against the Toronto Raptors. They lost 87-82 in a tightly contested game. The Spurs had multiple three point shots fall off the mark by Manu Ginobili and Marco Belinelli in the final minute to tie the game and a turnover by Tim Duncan with 4 seconds to play.

The second game of the trip was another tough game. The Spurs trailed the Pacers by 14 points through three quarters, the Spurs came back strong and Belinelli hit a game winning jumper with two seconds to play.

The third contest in Detroit was supposed to be a difficult game after the Pistons had already beat San Antonio on the road, but it wasn’t. The Spurs won 104-87.

Feb 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard

Kyle Lowry

(7) drives to the net past San Antonio Spurs forward

Kawhi Leonard

(2) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated San Antonio 87-82. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Spurs took on the Clippers in the fourth game of the trip. The Spurs lost 119-115 despite the Clippers not having Blake Griffin. The Spurs got two huge performances from Duncan and Tony Parker despite losing. Duncan finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds, Parker went for 21 points and 13 assists.

The game against the Golden State Warriors was suppose to be the most difficult game in the trip. The Warriors are the best team in the league and they were playing them on a second of a back-to-back. The Warriors won 110-99.

In the sixth game the Spurs took on the Utah Jazz, a team that had already beat the Spurs in Utah on December 9th. The Spurs were sloppy finishing with 22 turnovers in a 90-81 loss.

The Spurs worst performance of their trip came on a nationally televised game against the Portland Trail Blazers. They lost 111-95. The Trail Blazers connected on 51% from the field and made 13 of 26 three-point field goals.

After losing four straight their trip ended well with two key wins against the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.

The biggest surprise in the trip came when the Spurs blew out the Suns 101-74 on the second of a back-to-back set.

The problem with this year’s rodeo trip is that they lost some ground on the eighth seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are only 3.5 games behind the Spurs, as they have won now 8 of 10 games.

The positive that came out of the trip is that the Spurs have 14 home games left and only 9 road games.

Next: Are the San Antonio Spurs Sliding Out of the Playoffs?