UNBELIEVABLE.
The Spurs led by 8 with just a few minutes left in the game, and by 4 with less then a minute left. First, Andre Miller steals the ball for a layup. Next, Wesley Matthews steals from Manu Ginobili, leading to free throws for Nicolas Batum with 0.9 seconds left. Nic calmly hits both.
The Spurs try to inbound the ball, but overthrow Manu out of bounds, with no time elapsed. As the Blazers take timeout with the ball, Andre reminds the ref that the Blazers get the ball at halfcourt since the Spurs never touched the inbound pass, and wins the argument. Still 0.9 seconds left.
On the inbound play, Batum loses Manu and cuts to the hoop, and Andre promptly lobs the ball to him for an oop layup; the ball rattles the rim and falls into the net as the backboard lights red, and the crowd can be heard from Vancouver.
I guarantee you'll want to see highlights of this one (here are more highlights at NBA.com!) Any of you who turned it off early must be kicking yourselves.
And now, for posterity, here is the gameday thread I wrote with less than a minute left in the game!
Well, the Blazers had a game for the taking, and simply didn't want it as much as San Antonio. The Duncan-less Spurs ride a streak of hot fourth-quarter shooting to hand Portland a loss before they leave on their road trip.
The Blazers were led by Andre Miller, with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. All the starters finished with double figures, including a double double for Gerald Wallce (14 points and 10 rebounds). [Nic Batum added 21 points including the aforementioned 4 points in 0.9 seconds]
Box score is here, and Dave and Ben will be here soon. Enjoy the huge, shocking victory. :) -- Tim