"When you have a guy who can guard everyone from a (point guard) to a (small forward) ? and guard them real well ? and you lose that guy ... that's tough," Robinson said. "Bruce Bowen is crucial. We can't go without him for too long."

The Spurs don't have any choice. After breaking his right middle finger early in Wednesday's win over Boston, Bowen flew Thursday to San Antonio, where he had his hand placed in a cast. Dr. David Green, a local hand specialist who examined Philadelphia point guard Eric Snow after he broke his thumb in an October preseason game at the Alamodome, determined Bowen did not require surgery.

Bowen will have the cast removed in about a month, but the Spurs do not expect him to return for at least six weeks. If Bowen is sidelined until early March, he will miss at least 25 games.