Phil skeptical about Lakers seeing Spurs in first roundApril 4th, 2010, 4:34 pm · Post a Comment · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM
LOS ANGELES — Phil Jackson noted that the Lakers helped the Spurs’ cause to stay out of the eighth and final playoff spot by losing to San Antonio on Sunday.
Jackson also said he expected the Spurs to keep winning, so he wasn’t really planning on seeing a Lakers-Spurs first-round matchup. The other options for the Lakers once they clinch first in the West are Oklahoma City and Portland.
But Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said George Hill couldn’t put any weight on his sprained right ankle after the game, which could mean San Antonio is further undermanned over the next week or so. Hill was already playing heavy minutes because Tony Parker isn’t back from his broken hand.
“(I’m) a little worried about everything that’s coming up now without George,” Popovich said. “It’s going to be difficult to sustain that and have Manu (Ginobili) play the point in all these games coming up. So we’ll have to figure something out.”
Tim Duncan quipped: “I’ve been willing to play point guard for about 12 years now. I might finally get my chance.”
Ginobili had five turnovers in the first half against the Lakers, but in the second half he had just one to go with three assists and 18 points.
San Antonio did lose to New Jersey without a resting Ginobili, but otherwise the Spurs have victories over the Lakers, Magic, Rockets, Celtics and Cavaliers.
