QUARTER-BY-QUARTER ANALYSIS
First quarter: Primoz Brezec and Brevin Knight combined for all 10 points as the Bobcats jumped out to a 10-7 lead in the first five minutes. Charlotte continued to hold a 16-13 advantage at the 3:19 mark when the Spurs defense took over. San Antonio forced two turnovers in a 7-0 run and then held the Bobcats to only one field goal and two free throws for the rest of the quarter in taking a 24-20 lead after one. Tim Duncan and Brezec each had eight points to lead all scorers. Tony Parker had five points and three assists for the Spurs.

Second quarter: After Robert Horry opened the period with a jumper, the Bobcats reeled off six consecutive points and tied the game at 26-26 on a Melvin Ely jumper. The game was tied again at 28-28 and 30-30 before Charlotte's offense went cold -- missing three of four field goal attempts, two free throw attempts and committing a turnover as the Spurs went on a 7-2 run for a 37-32 lead. The clubs traded baskets for the next several minutes before the Spurs again turned up the defensive intensity. San Antonio held the Bobcats without a field goal in the final three and a half minutes while putting together a 9-2 run to grab a 52-42 halftime lead. Parker and Duncan led all scorers with 12 points at the break. Brezec led Charlotte with 10.

Third quarter: Parker came out strong, scoring six of the Spurs first eight points in the quarter, but the Bobcats fought back and cut the San Antonio margin to 60-54 after an Emeka Okafor jumper with 6:05 remaining. San Antonio called a timout at that point and immediately responded. Parker had six points and two assists as the Spurs closed the quarter on a 12-0 run to put the game out of reach. In the final six minutes of the quarter, the Bobcats committed seven turnovers and missed six field goal and two free throw attempts. San Antonio closed each of the first three quarters with big runs -- 11-4 in the first, 9-2 in the second and 12-0 in the third.

Fourth quarter: The Spurs continued their attack in the early moments of the fourth -- pushing their lead to a game-high 23 points on three different occasions and the Bobcats got no closer than the final margin. Parker led all scorers with 24 points and Duncan added 19 for San Antonio. Brezec paced Charlotte with 18 points. Okafor led both teams with 12 rebounds. The Bobcats were outscored 28-6 in fast break points and have been outscored 66-16 in fast break points in the first two games of their road trip.

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GM & HEAD COACH BERNIE BICKERSTAFF SAYS...
(on the game) We just played the best team in the league. There is no doubt in my mind. That is a very good basketball team with their depth. They play together and put so much pressure on you defensively. We cut the lead to six at one point and then went four possessions doing nothing. But that’s the kind of defense they play. That is their team’s personality. In my opinion, they are the best in the league right there.

(on Tony Parker) Tony Parker reminds me a little of Alan Iverson, with his speed and quickness off the dribble. I don’t know if he has the explosiveness of Iverson. But he is a handful and he’s improved on his jumper during his time here in San Antonio.

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INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM

BREVIN KNIGHT
(on the Spurs) Defensively, they are just so fundamentally sound. They are so active on defense. They are a lot like Boston only Boston doesn’t have the big guys quite like the Spurs do to intimidate you. They funnel everything inside to the big guys. Then they rebound and always make the outlet pass. If they are not the best, they are certainly one of the best defensive teams in this league.

EMEKA OKAFOR
(on Tim Duncan) Defending Duncan, it’s a real task. We went through a lot of different options, but there’s only so many options you can try to guard him.

PRIMOZ BREZEC
(on the Spurs) San Antonio, Detroit, or Miami, they are the best. San Antonio’s coming out of the west for sure. Every time you make a move, somebody is there. They have a great coach and Pop has them motivated. They put pressure on your first pass. There are no easy shots. Rasho is always there, blocking, disrupting things. It’s hard to beat them. There are no easy baskets.