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Thrilling victory for Nets over Spurs
San Antonio, June 08: Jason Kidd came up with a team-high 30 points to lead the visiting New Jersey Nets to a thrilling 87-85 upset victory over the San Antonio Spurs and a 1-1 series tie in the best-of-seven NBA Finals with Game Three Sunday in New Jersey.
San Antonio, June 08: Jason Kidd came up with a team-high 30 points to lead the visiting New Jersey Nets to a thrilling 87-85 upset victory over the San Antonio Spurs and a 1-1 series tie in the best-of-seven NBA Finals with Game Three Sunday in New Jersey.
For a number of reasons, Dikembe Mutombo was wagging his finger. It could have been to signify the first NBA Finals win in franchise history by the New Jersey Nets. It could have been pointing to the rafters, where a championship banner would hang. Or it could have been simply to say, I am the one to guard Tim Duncan.
Mutombo's immense presence on defense and a bounce-back game by Jason Kidd gave the Nets a gutsy 87-85 victory over the San Antonio Spurs that evened the Finals at one game apiece.
A forgotten man in the postseason, Mutombo reminded everyone why he is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Previously anchored to the bench, the 7-2 giant emerged to anchor the defense of the Nets, who slowed down Duncan and sped up their offense.
Playing the second and fourth quarters, Mutombo made it difficult for Duncan to dominate. The third and most effective defender on the two-time NBA MVP, he helped limit Duncan to 19 points and 12 rebounds. He also took away the penetration and second shots that the Spurs enjoyed in their series-opening win.
With Mutombo manning the defense, Kidd controlled the offense, scoring 30 points, including New Jersey's last seven. He made 11-of-24 shots, shaking off Wednesday's 4-of-17 disaster.
The Spurs had their same old problems - turnovers and missed free throws. The gave it away 22 times and made just 14-of-25 from the line. Duncan was prime culprit, missing 7-of-10, including a crucial one in the final minute.
San Antonio still scrambled back within one in the final seconds when Stephen Jackson made a 3-pointer with 9.7 seconds to go. Kidd quickly was fouled and made things very interesting by missing the first of two free throws.
After Kidd made the second, Spurs guard Tony Parker dribbled upcourt and found Jackson on the left wing behind the arc. But his potential game-winner bounced away as time ran out.
San Antonio lost at home for the fourth time in the playoffs. New Jersey improved to 7-2 on the road and heads home for the next three games, beginning Sunday night.
Mutombo played the entire second quarter and his presence was borne out by San Antonio's 6-of-18 shooting. He patrolled the paint, controlled the defensive boards and even scored four points, helping the Nets grab the lead.
Looking remarkably spry, Mutombo challenged a dunk by Duncan midway through the quarter and pleaded in protest when he was called for a foul. In the final minute, he snuffed a layup by Kevin Willis and trotted out his trademark finger, wagging it to the SBC Center crowd.
Bureau Report
With Mutombo manning the defense, Kidd controlled the offense, scoring 30 points, including New Jersey's last seven. He made 11-of-24 shots, shaking off Wednesday's 4-of-17 disaster.
The Spurs had their same old problems - turnovers and missed free throws. The gave it away 22 times and made just 14-of-25 from the line. Duncan was prime culprit, missing 7-of-10, including a crucial one in the final minute.
San Antonio still scrambled back within one in the final seconds when Stephen Jackson made a 3-pointer with 9.7 seconds to go. Kidd quickly was fouled and made things very interesting by missing the first of two free throws.
After Kidd made the second, Spurs guard Tony Parker dribbled upcourt and found Jackson on the left wing behind the arc. But his potential game-winner bounced away as time ran out.
San Antonio lost at home for the fourth time in the playoffs. New Jersey improved to 7-2 on the road and heads home for the next three games, beginning Sunday night.
Mutombo played the entire second quarter and his presence was borne out by San Antonio's 6-of-18 shooting. He patrolled the paint, controlled the defensive boards and even scored four points, helping the Nets grab the lead.
Looking remarkably spry, Mutombo challenged a dunk by Duncan midway through the quarter and pleaded in protest when he was called for a foul. In the final minute, he snuffed a layup by Kevin Willis and trotted out his trademark finger, wagging it to the SBC Center crowd.
Bureau Report