...first game of the best-of-five series against Phoenix and it is uncertain if he will play in Game 2 on Tuesday, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Friday. SWAN SONG Indiana coach Larry Bird will not return to the Pacers next season, even if...

...an airball from 20 feet. "We had five or six shots that were either ill-advised or not shot with confidence," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. Shaquille O'Neal added 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Robert Horry contributed 13 points...

...as the Spurs beat the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 87-82. "We played terrible, it was a terrible game," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "I'm thrilled that it'll count as a victory as the season goes on, and disappointed in our...

...round of the playoffs last May en route to their first NBA championship. ''The Lakers are playing defense now,'' Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ''That's the difference. I thought we did a heck of a job against a very good team -- probably...

...we're going into Portland.'' Duncan also had 14 rebounds and five blocks, and Avery Johnson added 18 points. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was particularly impressed with the way the Spurs played defense, holding the Wolves to 54 points over...

...fifth because of some gritty defense. "We put ourselves on the defensive end and just played hard," Billups said. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agreed. "They bothered us with their press," he said. "We had a lot of turnovers. We just stood...

...converted 12 of 16 foul shots for the Spurs, who went 30-for-47 from the line. "To get 47 free throws is great," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "To make 30 is not too good." Derek Anderson was 9-for-11 from the line and added 21 points...

...victory over the Timberwolves, but they are unlikely to become overconfident. "Nobody has accomplished anything yet," Spurs coach Greg Popovich said. "This is still a series." Ellis might remind the Timberwolves of the '94 Nuggets, who believed...

...rounds since the current playoff format was adopted in 1984. "They are obviously the hottest team in the league," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "They are a really good defensive club, a heck of an offensive club and play unselfishly. It's...

...that indicate "if necessary." Whenever a coach launches into such a profound questioning of his team's belief, as Spur Coach Gregg Popovich did, and wonders "if we have enough juice," it's all over. To tell you the truth, Popovich's...