NBA -- Beaten by 30, Spurs suffer worst loss in 16 years
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Mar 2013
CHICAGO -- For one night at least, the San Antonio Spurs' aura of homecourt invincibility was thoroughly shattered when they were blown out by the Portland Trail Blazers, 136-106, Friday night at the AT&T Center.
Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, a shoo-in for Rookie of the Year honors, led Portland's assault with 35 points and nine assists while All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge added another 26 points. J.J. Hickson put an exclamation point on the rout with 23 markers and 11 rebounds as the Blazers made an amazing 53 of 86 field goals (61.6 percent) and 13-of-21 triples (61.9 percent).
After a close first half, which ended in a 57-57 tie, Portland began to pull away in the third stanza before completely wiping out San Antonio with a 46-point fourth quarter explosion. Eric Maynor chipped in 20 points for the Blazers while Wesley Matthews added 15.
Portland's 136-point total is the most the Spurs have ever surrendered at the AT&T center while the 30-point margin of defeat was the worst they've endured since 1997, when they were blasted for 33 by the Toronto Raptors at the Alamodome..
The Spurs shot an above average 52.4 percent from the floor, but they couldn't stop the Blazers, who pounded San Antonio's defense inside-out. "There will be a lot of film session in this one. The game just got away from us, " perennial All-Star Tim Duncan told NBA.com.
Duncan led the Spurs' losing effort with 18 points and eight rebounds while Kawhi Leonard and DeJuan Blair registered 16 apiece. Manu Ginobili also ended up with 16 but the Argentine spitfire missed nine of 15 field goals and committed four turnovers.
Even with the loss, San Antonio continues to top the Western Conference with a 48-15 slate, 1 1/2 games better than the 46-16 Oklahoma City Thunder. Winners of 17 straight, the 46-14 Miami Heat are in complete control of the Eastern Conference, a full eight games ahead of second-placer Indiana Pacers. (Homer Sayson)
Photo: Blazers rookie Damian Lillard was all smiles Friday night when he scored 35 points to lead Portland to a 136-106 rout of the San Antonio Spurs at the AT@T Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Jun 2025MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Christian Mbilili vs. Maciej Sulecki
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Unbeaten Philippines Top Prospect Criztian Pitt Laurente Signs with Sanman Boxing
Fri, 27 Jun 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS PROMISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT SARDIUS SIMMONS
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Madoka Wada Halts Chay Rivas in Tokyo, Retains OPBF Belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Grand Prix a Grand Concept
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 26 Jun 2025PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
Wed, 25 Jun 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 June 2025: Norman Flattens Sasaki; Simsri Edges Araneta; Rodriguez Outpoints Yafai
By Eric Armit, Tue, 24 Jun 2025