GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: PORTLAND (0-0) at SAN ANTONIO (0-0)

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND (0-0) at SAN ANTONIO (0-0)

<h3>Parker, Spurs begin title defense vs. Trail Blazers</h3>

<div class="pre">Portland (0-0) at San Antonio (0-0) 8:00 pm EDT</div>

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and the SanAntonio Spurs begin their title defense on Tuesday when theyhost the Portland Trail Blazers.


It was another banner season for the Spurs, as Parker was namedthe Finals MVP in a sweep of LeBron James and the ClevelandCavaliers last June.


San Antonio, which won its fourth title in six seasons, returnsvirtually the same team and has a solid chance at winningback-to-back titles for the first time in franchise history.

While Parker earned the accolades, Duncan had another excellentseason, averaging 20.0 points and 10.6 rebounds.


With Parker and Duncan leading the way, the Spurs seek their11th straight win over the Blazers.


Portland suffered a huge setback when it learned that Greg Oden- the first overall pick of June's draft - will miss the entireseason after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right kneein September.


Still, the Trail Blazers have reason for optimism because theyhave a talented nucleus to build around.


Brandon Roy averaged 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds to take homeRookie of the Year honors, and fellow rookie LaMarcus Aldridge -the second pick of the 2006 draft - challenged him for theaward.


Portland also bolstered its frontcourt by striking a draft-daydeal to acquire Channing Frye from the New York Knicks as partof a six-player trade.


The Trail Blazers have their work cut out for them though, as theyhave lost eight straight here.

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND (0-0) at SAN ANTONIO (0-0)

<h3>Parker, Spurs begin title defense vs. Trail Blazers</h3>

<div class="pre">Portland (0-0) at San Antonio (0-0) 8:00 pm EDT</div>

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and the SanAntonio Spurs begin their title defense on Tuesday when theyhost the Portland Trail Blazers.


It was another banner season for the Spurs, as Parker was namedthe Finals MVP in a sweep of LeBron James and the ClevelandCavaliers last June.


San Antonio, which won its fourth title in six seasons, returnsvirtually the same team and has a solid chance at winningback-to-back titles for the first time in franchise history.

While Parker earned the accolades, Duncan had another excellentseason, averaging 20.0 points and 10.6 rebounds.


With Parker and Duncan leading the way, the Spurs seek their11th straight win over the Blazers.


Portland suffered a huge setback when it learned that Greg Oden- the first overall pick of June's draft - will miss the entireseason after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right kneein September.


Still, the Trail Blazers have reason for optimism because theyhave a talented nucleus to build around.


Brandon Roy averaged 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds to take homeRookie of the Year honors, and fellow rookie LaMarcus Aldridge -the second pick of the 2006 draft - challenged him for theaward.


Portland also bolstered its frontcourt by striking a draft-daydeal to acquire Channing Frye from the New York Knicks as partof a six-player trade.


The Trail Blazers have their work cut out for them though, as theyhave lost eight straight here.

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">PORTLAND AT SAN ANTONIO - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


PORTLAND SAN ANTONIO

F Martell Webster F Bruce Bowen
F Lamarcus Aldridge F Tim Duncan
C Joel Przybilla C Fabricio Oberto
G Brandon Roy G Michael Finley
G Steve Blake G Tony Parker

OFFICIALS: Jim Clark
Tommy Nunez
James Capers</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">PORTLAND AT SAN ANTONIO - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

REVISED LINEUPS

PORTLAND SAN ANTONIO

F Lamarcus Aldridge F Bruce Bowen
F Martell Webster F Tim Duncan
C Joel Przybilla C Fabricio Oberto
G Jarrett Jack G Tony Parker
G Brandon Roy G Michael Finley

OFFICIALS: Jim Clark
Tommy Nunez
James Capers</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 6
SAN ANTONIO 6 9:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 10
SAN ANTONIO 12 5:45 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 14
SAN ANTONIO 21 3:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 26
SAN ANTONIO 29 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 26 26
SAN ANTONIO 29 29 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

POR - TRAVIS OUTLAW 7, LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 6,
STEVE BLAKE 5
SAS - TONY PARKER 11, TIM DUNCAN 6, FRANCISCO
ELSON 4</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 30
SAN ANTONIO 39 8:52 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 37
SAN ANTONIO 49 6:02 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 43
SAN ANTONIO 55 3:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 49
SAN ANTONIO 59 HALFTIME</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 26 23 49
SAN ANTONIO 29 30 59 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

POR - LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 13, TRAVIS OUTLAW 9,
JOEL PRZYBILLA 8
SAS - TIM DUNCAN 13, TONY PARKER 13, BRENT
BARRY 9</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 56
SAN ANTONIO 64 8:50 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 61
SAN ANTONIO 69 5:50 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 69
SAN ANTONIO 73 2:49 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 77
SAN ANTONIO 81 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 26 23 28 77
SAN ANTONIO 29 30 22 81 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

POR - LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 21, JOEL PRZYBILLA 13,
TRAVIS OUTLAW 9
SAS - TIM DUNCAN 18, TONY PARKER 13, BRENT
BARRY 12</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 82
SAN ANTONIO 88 8:29 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 86
SAN ANTONIO 94 5:46 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

[CelticKing]

Re: NBA: PORTLAND (0-0) at SAN ANTONIO (0-0)

I love sportsticker.</p>

(not that kind of love)

</p>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 93
SAN ANTONIO 98 2:41 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

[Universe]

Re: NBA: PORTLAND (0-0) at SAN ANTONIO (0-0)

Great basketball so far.</p>

 

[CelticKing]

Re: NBA: PORTLAND (0-0) at SAN ANTONIO (0-0)

Blazers are playing damn good and keeping it close. I'm surprised.</p>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 95
SAN ANTONIO 102 0:52 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 97
SAN ANTONIO 106 FINAL</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 26 23 28 20 97
SAN ANTONIO 29 30 22 25 106 FINAL

HIGH SCORERS: POR - LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 27, MARTELL WEBSTER
21, JOEL PRZYBILLA 13
SAS - TIM DUNCAN 24, TONY PARKER 19, MANU
GINOBILI 16</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

NBA: PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NBA
PORTLAND 97
SAN ANTONIO 106 FINAL</div>

 

[SportsTicker]

By Brian Guerra
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spursweren't distracted by a championship celebration on Tuesdaynight.


Duncan collected 24 points and 13 rebounds as the Spurs startedoff their title defense with an 106-97 victory over the theundermanned Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA's season opener.

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker scored 19 points for SanAntonio, which played its first game since sweeping theCleveland Cavaliers in the Finals last June. The Spurs have wonfour championships in nine seasons.


Duncan, who reportedly signed a two-year contract extension thatwill keep him in San Antonio through 2012, shot 10-of-15 fromthe field and controlled the paint for most of the game.

But the main attraction came before the contest.


After the starting lineups were announced, the Trail Blazersreturned to their locker room, opting to miss the championshipring ceremony. But the Spurs were the ones who have seen thisall before.


San Antonio's 2007 championship banner was unveiled alongsidethe previous three after players and team employees were handedthe title rings from NBA commissioner David Stern - a familiarsight at AT&T Center in recent campaigns.


As for the game, Manu Ginobili was a much-needed fourth-quarterspark for the Spurs, collecting 16 points, eight assists andfive steals in the game.The Spurs never seemed to find their outside shot, connecting on5-of-17 from the arc. Bruce Bowen, usually solid from hiscorner spot, missed two badly early in the game, and finished0-of-5 from the field.


But Ginobili hit two free throws, and newcomer Darius Washingtonhit a 3-pointer on the Spur's first possession in the fourthquarter for an 84-77 lead.


Ginobili then threw down an emphatic dunk and scored off anoffensive rebound on the next possession for an 88-80 lead with9:35 left in the game.


Duncan took control of the game in the paint, scoring fourstraight points and giving the Spurs a cushion, albeit a smallone, to work with en route to outscoring the Blazers by fivepoints in the final period to secure the victory.


Second-year forward LaMarcus Aldridge kept the Blazers in thegame with 27 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Joel Przybilla added13 points and 10 rebounds for Portland, which will play withoutNo. 1 overall pick Greg Oden for the entire season.