<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">An elastic sleeve covering his left calf, his most recent contusion spot, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili returned to practice Monday afternoon. Two days of rest did his bruised body some good. Thirty minutes of work, he hopes, will do his psyche even better. "I'm in a moment where I need to practice, where I need to play," Ginobili said. "I want to play." Ginobili is expected to do so tonight as the Spurs are home against Golden State. Although he will be re-evaluated today, he felt "pretty comfortable" after practicing Monday. He also made it clear that, with only four weeks left in the regular season, he wants to play as much as possible to get ready for the playoffs. "Every time I get my rhythm back," Ginobili said, "something happens." Ginobili's latest setback came in Friday's victory over Phoenix. He bruised his left calf and left quadriceps ? Shawn Marion also inadvertently opened a gash in Ginobili's mouth when Ginobili collided with the back of his head ? but played the rest of the game. Ginobili had planned to play Saturday in Houston but woke up sore enough that coach Gregg Popovich decided he would be better off sitting out. "I didn't twist my ankle or anything that's hard to heal," Ginobili said. "But they add up. There have been many of these." Before Friday, Ginobili had missed 13 games because of three injuries to his right foot. He joked that hurting his left leg will "probably help my balance." The injuries have made it difficult for Ginobili to finish with his usual explosiveness. In a three-game stretch before Friday, he had made 9 of 29 shots. Although Ginobili said he actually feels more confident with his perimeter shooting this season (he's made 37.1percent of his 3-point attempts, nearly identical to last season), he lacks similar faith when he penetrates. In the Spurs' March 12 victory over the Rockets, he drove down the lane and dunked in front of Yao Ming ? then later joked it might have been his first dunk since the NBA Finals. "When you have (injuries) like this, I think it hurts more your confidence," Ginobili said. "I'm trying to forget (about it), not listen to anybody and trying to overcome what's going on." Ginobili said the season has been frustrating, though not as much as his rookie year. Then, he needed much of the first half to recover from an ankle sprain he suffered with Argentina in the World Championships. "I was in a tough spot," Ginobili said. "I wanted to prove to everybody I could play here. To myself, too. "Now, I know I belong." The Spurs also know they will need Ginobili feeling as good as possible if they are going to defend their championship. Health is of more concern to the team than home-court advantage. </div> Source
