<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SAN ANTONIO -- After having their hats soiled, crushed and handed to them in their lost weekend in Seattle, the San Antonio Spurs were displeased with themselves. Returning home to SBC Center last night, they figured to deploy much irk. And at least one new trick. To counter the Sonics' altered lineup of a thousand little people, a hundred fouls and four lugs, the Spurs opened the game by harassing Ray Allen with a double team that chased him to midcourt, from where he threw a 40-foot, crosscourt pass that sailed over Luke Ridnour's head and out of bounds. In the lexicon of basketball, the tactic is known as jumping the pick and roll, in which the two defenders descend upon the man with the ball, figuring they will get to him before he can find with a pass the unguarded screener. It took an entire half for the Sonics to figure that one out. But figure it out they did, and were pleased to be tied at 50 at intermission. For six quarters without co-captain and No. 2 scorer Rashard Lewis, they played the Spurs even in the Western Conference semifinal series, and were still in Game 5 amid the worst road environment in the NBA. With forward Tim Duncan held in modest check, guard Tony Parker continuing to fade out of the series, and nothing coming from ex-Sonic Brent Barry, what else could the Spurs do? Unleash El Contusione.</div> Source
