SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs struggled through the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday night, but came out strong in the second half to secure the win on a very special night.

  • Manu Ginoboli played 16 years with Spurs in No. 20 jersey
  • Know as part of the Big 3, won 4 championships
  • Jersey hangs next to former teammate Tim Duncan

 


 

 

Spurs’ family, fans and friends filled the AT&T Center to honor No. 20 Manu Ginobili. He was a winner and the team couldn’t lose on a night celebrating him.

DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points and San Antonio celebrated Ginobili's number retirement ceremony by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-110.

"Well, it will make for a better evening, for sure," Coach Gregg Popovich said ahead of the ceremony.

Ginobili became the ninth Spurs player to have his jersey retired, joining fellow Big Three teammate Tim Duncan as the most recently honored. The Argentine star spent his entire 16-year NBA career with San Antonio, winning four championships while wearing No. 20.

 

 

"It was good to feel that vibe and that energy in the building for something that's bigger than our team," guard Patty Mills said. "That's what we are acknowledging tonight, someone who has sacrificed so much to this organization and has understood that the big picture is much bigger than himself."

Bryn Forbes got the crowd going with a 3-pointer 13 seconds into the game, and the Spurs finished 14 for 33 from long range. Forbes scored 19 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 14.

San Antonio struggled offensively after the fast start but the crowd remained energized by video tributes to Ginobili.

The Spurs scored 40 points in the third quarter while shooting 73 percent from the field after managing just 17 points in the second.

"Being more aggressive," DeRozan said. "We just came out with a more conscious effort of being aggressive. That's what we did and we can't wait to do that. We waited and made it tough on ourselves, but we pulled it through."

Contributions from the bench helped the Spurs win as Ginobili and a host of former Spurs teammates like Duncan, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen, David Robinson and others watched from the stands.

"You understand that you've got to play with passion and you've got to play with heart," Mills said. "You have to play with your heart on your sleeve and that's what Manu had done so well and what made him great."

After Cleveland pulled to 111-110, Mills hit a 3-pointer off a drive and kick by DeRozan with 14 seconds remaining. Mills celebrated at midcourt and DeRozan ran behind him and embraced him as the Cavaliers called a timeout.

“I was obviously hoping to be in a situation like that and as he does and has don’t for so many times, those moments are Manu moments and I was obviously pleased to take advantage of it,” Mills said.

 

 

 

Rudy Gay, another reserve, had an offensive rebound with 3 seconds left and made two free throws to seal the victory.

Marco Belinelli scored 16 points, Gay added 12 and Mills had 11.

DeRozan's one regret about joining the Spurs this season was that he didn't get a chance to play with Ginobili before he retired.

"I wish I would have had a year to play with him, but to be able to witness this should be pretty cool," DeRozan said about the ceremony.

After emotional speeches from Parker, Duncan, Popovich and former Argentinian teammate Fabricio Oberto, the Spurs played a tribute video with Ginoboli told his story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the video ended, fans stood and cheered “Ole, Ole, Ole Ole, Manu, Manu.”

 

 

 

He told the audience they made him feel like he belonged, which helped him become the player he’s known as today.

Ginobili is one of only two players to have won a EuroLeague Championship, an NBA championship and an Olympic Gold Medal.

His jersey now hangs next to Duncan's in the rafters.

 

 

 

The Associated Press contributed to this story.