Spurs' back-to-back struggles continue

Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer

TORONTO — The trip takes only 40 minutes by plane, but Gregg Popovich didn't care.

The Spurs had just beaten Miami at the AT&T Center two weeks ago and were scheduled to immediately jet to Houston for another exhibition game the next evening. Popovich, however, told four of his starters to stay behind.

"Hopefully," he said, "it will be money in the bank."

Popovich made the decision because he knew what awaited in November: five back-to-backs, including a four-games-in-five-days stretch to start the season. He also was aware that more often than not last season, the Spurs went bust when having to play on consecutive nights.

"Did we ever win one?" Popovich joked.

Yes, but not many. Ten of the Spurs' 19 losses came in the second game of a back-to-back. After losing to Cleveland on Friday night, they're 0 for 1 this season.

"It's kind of tough at the beginning of the season because you are a little rusty," Manu Ginobili said. "Your legs are not the same as in January or February.

"But everybody does it. We're not the only team. We just have to face it."

The Spurs don't have to wait long for their next test. They departed San Antonio on Saturday about four hours earlier than normal to help prepare them for today's noon tipoff against the Toronto Raptors. On Monday, they play in New York.

The Spurs have 18 back-to-backs this season, two more than last year. Fifteen end on the road.

Popovich said he probably would "massage" the minutes of some of his players in the second games a little more than he did last season. With the exception of Ginobili, however, each of the starters played more against Cleveland than they did in Dallas.

The Spurs have one thing going for them: Tim Duncan is healthy. A year ago, his right foot began bothering him during the preseason. He often struggled when having to play consecutive games.

If Duncan was tired Friday, he didn't look it. After the loss, he even said he appreciated the opportunity to play again so soon.

"It's still about the mental aspect more than anything else," Bruce Bowen said. "You're going to feel tired sometimes, but it's the focused team that tends to win."

Howard punished: Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was suspended for a game and fined $5,000 Saturday for shoving Bowen to the floor Thursday. Howard was given a flagrant 1 foul by the referees, but league officials upgraded it to a type-2 penalty after watching tape of the incident.

Howard was initially knocked to the floor late in the second quarter and — depending on whom you ask — Bowen either tried to step over him or on him. Howard grabbed at Bowen's feet then stood up and pushed him hard to the court.

Popovich said after the game he didn't think Howard deserved to be ejected or suspended.

'Red Rocket' returns: Matt Bonner is looking forward to returning to the Air Canada Centre today. Bonner played two seasons in Toronto before the Raptors traded him and Eric Williams to the Spurs for Rasho Nesterovic in June.

One of the team's most popular players, Bonner was nicknamed the "Red Rocket" because he used the city's identically named subway system to get around town.

"I'm really excited to see everybody and be back in front of the Toronto fans," said Bonner, who didn't play in the Spurs' first two games. "The people up in Canada were really friendly and supportive."

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Note that the Cavs lost their back-to-back tonight against Charlotte of all teams. Though at least Charlotte was playing their own back-to-back. It's really unfair when one team is well rested, while the other team is worn out, just due to the NBA schedule geeks. Couldn't they try and even it up more often and have both teams play back-to-backs rather than unfairly penalize one of them?