Second-half keys for the Spurs

   Manu Ginobili was key once again in the Spurs' latest victory, a 100-99 win over Minnesota.  Not only did Ginobili score 44 points, hit seven three-pointers, and hit 11 of 12 from the line, but most importantly hit the game winning shot with six seconds left to play.  Ginobili has also scored 46 and 34 in recent victories over Cleveland and Toronto.   If the recently re-tooled Spurs ope to overtake New Orleans for first place in their division and want to put themselves in the best possible position for the playoffs, Ginobili must keep up this high level of play for the rest of the year.  Tim Duncan has had one of his more consistent campaigns in recent memory, but the big man can not control as many aspects of the game as the versatile Ginobili can.  With Tony Parker having been in and out of the lineup and clearly having some kind of aversion to his lane-driving pursuits of the last couple of seasons, Ginobili must become the force he was in the ... [link]