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Ginobili-less Spurs to face Blazers

Apr 8, 2009 - 5:08 AM By Mike Lipka STATS Writer

Portland (49-28) at San Antonio (50-27) 7:00 p.m. EDT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs had an easy start to life without Manu Ginobili, but if they're serious about making a run at their fifth NBA title without one of their three stars, they'll have to quickly adjust to tougher competition.

That process will start Wednesday night, when the Portland Trail Blazers look to end an 11-game losing streak in San Antonio and move into a tie with the Spurs in the crowded Western Conference standings.

Ginobili has struggled with an ankle injury all season, but it was only Monday that the Spurs announced he would miss the rest of the season - including playoffs - with a stress fracture in his right ankle.

The news leaves San Antonio (50-27) without one of its key contributors from its last three NBA championship teams.

"It's going to be tough," Spurs point guard Tony Parker said. "Obviously, Manu is a big part of what we do. But you have two choices: You take it as a great challenge, or the season is going to end up real quick."

The Spurs won 99-89 at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, but they're still 18-15 without Ginobili in the lineup this season, as opposed to 32-12 with the Argentine guard.

Parker had 21 points and 10 assists and Tim Duncan scored 25 points and added 15 rebounds against the Thunder, but the key contribution may have come from reserve Drew Gooden. Gooden's 20 points were his most since joining the Spurs last month.

"Everybody's got to do that much more now collectively as a group to replace what Manu does because he brings that every night with his ability to slash and make plays," Gooden said. "We're going to be missing that a lot, but as long as we collectively make up for it, we're going to be OK."

Things are about to get much tougher, however, with San Antonio's next two games against fellow contenders and possible first-round opponents in the West playoffs.

The Spurs are currently atop the Southwest Division and in third place in the conference, but Houston is within a half-game and Portland is one game back.

The Blazers (49-28) would tie San Antonio with a victory Wednesday, but only after Portland survived a lackluster performance for a 96-93 win at Memphis on Tuesday night.

After trailing by 18 in the first half, the Blazers used a jumper from Travis Outlaw with 13 seconds remaining to take the lead for good.

"This is new for us, clinching the playoffs with seven games left," star guard Brandon Roy said. "We're just trying to figure out how to compete and play and stay motivated."

Playing for home court in the first round of their first playoff appearance since 2003 should provide incentive, especially considering the Blazers are 31-7 at the Rose Garden this season. But they visit San Antonio with one road win all season against a West playoff team - a 97-89 win at New Orleans on Feb. 2.

Portland has also lost its last 11 road games against the Spurs since a 95-76 victory on Nov. 9, 2002. No current Blazers were on the roster for that game, and Roy has averaged 10.0 points on 27.4 percent shooting in his five visits to San Antonio.

The Spurs were without Ginobili and Duncan but Parker had 39 points in their 99-84 home win over Portland on Feb. 25, although the Blazers have beaten San Antonio twice at home this season.

Portland had been swept in its previous three season series with the Spurs, but it can win the series for the first time since 1999-2000 with a victory in this game.