In a game that seemingly lasted longer than the Michael Cooper era, the Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs did their share of jawing. This time, they saved it for the officials.
San Antonio won 126-115 in overtime for a 3-1 series lead, but the story Monday night at the Pepsi Center was the teams combined for 91 free-throw attempts and nearly as many referee conferences.
No one had the advantage – San Antonio outscored Denver from the line 39-38 – but the playoffs took on a different magnitude.
A physical series became even more physical in the second quarter when the Spurs and Nuggets combined for 32 free-throw attempts. Neither team appreciated it, either.
Each free throw was accompanied by mini-skull sessions with any official who happened to be standing nearby.
Manu Ginobili held a running commentary with Dick Bavetta, however much you can comment with arms outstretched and mouth agape.
, held to two points in the first half, tried reasoning with Derrick Stafford. Nene berated Bennie Adams.
Even the mild-mannered Tim Duncan, had conferences with Bavetta while waiting for a foul shot.
Duncan had a boiling point, waving his arms in complete disgust after Bavetta called teammate Bruce Bowen with a block. Duncan wound up fouling out.
“You don’t feel compelled to talk but you don’t want them to one up you,” Bowen said. “If they say you’re doing something, then you say, ‘Well, why are they doing that?”‘
However, they called it both ways – a lot. Denver’s stole a missed foul shot from Duncan that Bavetta called a jump ball. Camby responded with a ball slam and Bavetta responded with a technical.
Bavetta, keeping up the evening’s theme, then got an earful from Camby and Martin. Camby fouled out, too.
“(Ninety-one fouls) seems like enough for two games,” the Spurs’ Brent Barry said. “Tonight they just called it a little tighter. These are the playoffs and a lot of fouls were called.”
In light of the $100,000 fine Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy received Monday, Nuggets coach George Karl tried holding his tongue. Tried.
“From my standpoint, it was – what’s the word? – interesting that we had so many guys in foul trouble,” Karl said. “The whistle was blown a lot more than normal in playoff games.”
John Henderson can be reached at 303-820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
