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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- David Robinson keeps proving how valuable he
is to the San Antonio Spurs.
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| Robinson |
He persuaded Tim Duncan to re-sign with San Antonio in the
offseason. Then he scored 22 points to lead the Spurs to a 98-85
season-opening victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night
when Duncan wasn't at his best.
"I feel like a lot of hard work this summer paid off," said
Robinson, who at 35 is hoping for a second NBA championship. "I'm
in the best shape that I've been in at the start of a season."
The Spurs' victory spoiled the NBA coaching debut of Isiah
Thomas, a Hall of Fame player with the Detroit Pistons. Thomas
replaced Larry Bird, who announced he would resign before taking to
the Pacers to the NBA Finals last season.
It was Robinson who counseled Duncan to stay in San Antonio
instead of signing with Orlando. With Duncan and Robinson together
and healthy, the Spurs expect to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers
in the Western Conference.
The pair teamed up to win the 1999 NBA title but the Spurs were
bounced out of the first round of the playoffs last season as
Duncan sat on the bench with torn knee cartilage.
Against Indiana, Duncan picked up his fifth foul in the fourth
quarter. He played just 29 minutes and finished with 16 points and
10 rebounds.
Danny Ferry, who signed with San Antonio from Cleveland, and
Antonio Daniels came off the bench to pick up the slack with 12
points each.
"That's a good basketball team. Two years ago, they won the NBA
Championship and they're deeper and they're better," Thomas said.
"I think we have a more versatile team this season," Spurs
guard Steve Kerr said. "Danny Ferry comes in and gives us a
different look. Antonio Daniels has really emerged as a player who
can get to the basket and create some things."
Thomas tried to coax the Pacers to a victory despite missing
four starters from last season's team that lost to the Lakers in
the finals. Rik Smits retired, Dale Davis was traded to Portland
and Mark Jackson signed with Toronto.
To make matters worse, last season's leading scorer, Jalen Rose,
is out for at least another month after breaking his wrist in the
preseason. Reggie Miller, the only starter playing from last year,
led Indiana with 27 points and eight rebounds.
"Once we get our full arsenal back, I think we'll be all
right," Thomas said. "You guys remember, we're playing without
our leading scorer."
Indiana scored just 12 points in the first quarter and the Spurs
led 51-41 at halftime.
The Pacers rallied and pulled within 61-58 in the third on
Travis Best's two free throws but the Spurs finished with a 13-2
run, including six points by Robinson, to take a 74-60 lead.
Robinson was 12-for-12 from the free-throw line and grabbed nine
rebounds.
"We have more weapons," Spurs guard Avery Johnson said. "And
the more weapons you have in the West, the better chance we'll have
to go farther this season."
Game notes
Johnson was listed as questionable after missing five
preseason games with a strained hamstring but started and played 19
minutes. He finished with four points and two assists. ... The
Spurs shot 52 percent. The Pacers, after shooting 27.8 percent in
the first quarter, finished at 45 percent. ... There was a huge
difference at the foul line as the Spurs were 28-of-35, while
Indiana was 9-of-13.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
San Antonio Clubhouse
Rose hopes to rejoin Pacers next week
RECAPS
Charlotte 106
Atlanta 82
Cleveland 86
New Jersey 82
Orlando 97
Washington 86
Dallas 97
Milwaukee 93
Philadelphia 101
New York 72
Detroit 104
Toronto 95
Sacramento 100
Chicago 81
Minnesota 106
Houston 98
San Antonio 98
Indiana 85
Utah 107
LA Clippers 94
Golden State 96
Phoenix 94
LA Lakers 96
Portland 86
Vancouver 94
Seattle 88
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Travis Best takes it to the Spurs D with the hoop in the paint.
avi: 527 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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