Slowing Parker, Ginobili vital for Nuggets

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 28, 2007 at midnight

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Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are basketball's equivalent of a computer virus.

With proper security measures, they can be detected and quarantined before doing much harm to the network. Without an effective firewall, they will run wild and crash an operating system.

In 2005, the Nuggets were able to contain Parker and Ginobili in the first two games of their best-of-seven playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, only to see the duo break out in pivotal Games 3 and 4.

Two years later, the Nuggets are seeking to avoid mistakes of the past. Once again, they were able to slow Parker and Ginobili while splitting two games in San Antonio. Keeping the two guards out of the paint and limiting their overall production will be paramount as the series shifts to Denver for Game 3 tonight at the Pepsi Center.

"I think we're satisfied, but I think we know we have to do better," Nuggets coach George Karl said after practice Friday. "As the series goes on, your star players become more important. I don't know if they've had the 'great' game."

Parker led the Spurs with 19 points in Game 1 but missed 12-of-20 shots, and Ginobili was limited to nine points on 4-for- 15 shooting. San Antonio lost 95-89.

Driving to the basket at every opportunity, Parker scored 20 points in Game 2, and Ginobili emerged from a slumber with 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Their contributions helped San Antonio win 97-88.

"We've done all right, but it's a long series," Nuggets guard Allen Iverson said. "(In Game 2), we let Ginobili get into a little rhythm. He got a chance to go to the basket and make a couple of layups. Once you make a layup, it makes it that much easier to make a jump shot."

Iverson and Steve Blake primarily have drawn the defensive assignments against Parker and Ginobili, with reserves Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith taking occasional shifts on Ginobili.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has targeted the defensively suspect Smith whenever he enters the game, prompting Karl to openly criticize Smith's shortcomings.

"I take everything (Karl) said as a positive," Smith said. "As long as you're trying to help me and not trying to hold me down, that's fine with me. That's what he wants me to do: to be a better defender."

Karl could not resist taking another jab Friday when he heard a reporter ask Smith his thoughts on Nuggets center Marcus Camby being chosen as NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

"You're asking a guy who doesn't play any defense?" Karl quipped.

Smith can't be blamed for what happened to the Nuggets in 2005. He was a rookie with Charlotte when Ginobili scored 32 points in San Antonio's series-turning Game 3 victory in Denver.

Parker broke loose for 29 points and Ginobili added 24 to help San Antonio win Game 4 in overtime and effectively squash the Nuggets' hopes for a first-round upset.

Iverson and Blake are new to the equation in 2007, and their overall play in Games 1 and 2 gives Denver reason to believe they have the right formula for success on the perimeter.

Because of his quickness, Iverson forces the fleet-footed Parker to work hard on both ends of the floor. For his part, Blake tries to stay in front of Parker and Ginobili and channel them into certain areas of the floor. Should they get into the lane, Camby provides backup.

"(Camby has) protected myself and Iverson all year long," Blake said. "It's a nice feeling having him back there."

As any computer user knows, it is vital to protect the hard drive.

Spurs at Nuggets

• When: 6 tonight.

• Where: Pepsi Center.

• TV/radio: ESPN/Altitude; KKFN-AM (950).

• Series: The best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series is tied 1-1.

• Starting lineups

San Antonio Pos. Ht. Pts.

12 Bruce Bowen F 6-7 7.0

21 Tim Duncan F 6-11 18.0

16 Francisco Elson C 7-0 1.0

4 Michael Finley G 6-7 14.5

9 Tony Parker G 6-2 19.5

Coach: Gregg Popovich

Denver Pos. Ht. Pts.

15 Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 28.0

31 Nene F 6-11 15.0

23 Marcus Camby C 6-11 9.0

3 Allen Iverson G 6-0 25.5

25 Steve Blake G 6-3 7.5

Coach: George Karl

• Injuries: Spurs - None reported. Nuggets - F Kenyon Martin (left knee surgery) is out.

• Notes: The Nuggets are 2-4 in six home playoff games the past three years. San Antonio won both meetings at the Pepsi Center in 2005. "We can't keep living off the past," Anthony said. "It's a new year, a new season, new playoff series." . . . The Nuggets have split the first two games of a playoff series 13 times. They have gone on to win those series four times. . . . Don't be surprised if Fabricio Oberto replaces Elson in the starting lineup. Elson, who played for Denver from 2003-06, is 0-for-4 from the floor in the series and did not play in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Oberto is 8-for-14 and has grabbed 16 rebounds. . . . Starting with their 2003 NBA title run, the Spurs are 19-15 in road playoff games. "What separates the good teams from the great teams is the way they perform on the road, and this team is no different," Finley said. "We seem to invite adversity, so to speak, and we seem to thrive in it." . . . Hall of Fame center Bill Walton will answer questions from fans at the ESPN Zone after the game tonight. Walton is an ESPN analyst and is in Denver to work Game 3.

lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com

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