In their postgame analysis, a few San Antonio Spurs said a mouthful in not overstating their case in the playoff series against the Nuggets.
They had just taken maybe Denver’s best shot at evening the best-of-seven series and still won 126-115 in overtime. The Spurs knew they were going home for tonight’s Game 5 with a 3-1 lead and home games in two of the next three games if necessary.
But there weren’t any words such as teetering, on the verge or in command within earshot in the Spurs’ locker room.
“These guys have been playing so well and George Karl still has a few tricks up his sleeve, I’m sure,” Spurs guard Brent Barry said. “This series isn’t over. It isn’t over until that fourth game is won. The Nuggets won too many games late in the season to go down without a fight.”
Robert Horry recalled his own experience as reason enough to keep his guard up.
“I’ve been down 3-1 in a series and came back to win it,” Horry said. “I realize anything can happen. The Nuggets are a very competent team. All they need is a couple of guys getting hot. George Karl will keep that in their heads.”
The Spurs were confident as they moved toward the team bus for what they hoped was their last escape from the Pepsi Center this season.
“You don’t want to come back and play on their home court,” center Nazr Mohammed said. “They are great at home. We want to try to end it on our home floor, and we know they are going to come out with their A-game.”
Barry wouldn’t claim to have gained any mental advantage from turning back what might have been Denver’s A-game.
“That’s something their players might talk about,” Barry said. “But I think any team’s best shot always comes in a close out game whenever that is in a series. You’re going to get a team’s best shot and we know that going into the fifth game.”
Even with the victory and the home floor, Barry and Horry reflected on the just completed game.
“They played more at the pace Denver fans are used to seeing,” Barry said. “They got up and down and put a lot of points on the board. But we found a way to respond. Our focus is to get back to the way we played in Games 2 and 3, slow them down and shut them down.”
Barry said the best response was the flurry by Tony Parker down the stretch and in overtime.
“It’s one of those things where he’s consistently getting open at the same spot on the floor,” Barry said. “When you knock down one or two, you start feeling really good at that particular spot.”
Parker had 11 points in overtime and finished with 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting.
“They played great,” Horry said of the Nuggets. “Earl (Boykins) came out and was the catalyst and Carmelo (Anthony) did his thing.”
Staff writer Chris Dempsey contributed to this report.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
