Amare32
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
FINALS-GAME 1
Series 0-0
San Antonio @ Phoenix Suns
When Sunday 22nd May
Time: 12.30 PT
Location: AWA, Phoenix
TV: ABC
Probable Playoff Starting Lineups:
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PG-Tony Parker
SG-Manu Ginobili
SF-Bruce Bowen
PF-Tim Duncan
C-Nazr Mohammad
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PG-Steve Nash
SG-Jim Jackson
SF-Quentin Richardson
PF-Shawn Marion
C-Amare Stoudemire
Game 1 prediction match-ups
Point guards
Steve Nash Vs Tony Parker
This match-up is going to be very key in this series. Steve Nash averaged 30 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists a game Vs the Mavericks in the conference semi-finals while Tony Parker struggled Vs Seattle. However Tony Parker has always played Steve Nash very well and had big games against him in the past. Most people think Parker is going to have a huge series because of the way Steve plays defense. They also think Nash could be slowed down by the Spurs defense. That remains to be seen of course but Nash will play the same way and look to attack the Spurs at every single play. By scoring when he needs to and dish out to the shooters or Amare inside. This should be a great match-up.
Shooting guards
Jim Jackson Vs Manu Ginobili
Jim Jackson had a very impressive 2nd round performance Vs the Mavericks averaging 12 points on 47% from downtown he also averaged close to 5 rebounds a game in that series. He will again need to play a strong game here with Joe Johnson ruled out of game 1. He will be going up against one of the best slashers and finishers in the NBA. Manu Ginobili was very tough to guard in the regular season meetings and averaged over 23,5 and 4 during their 2nd round series with Seattle. He is certainly a bright young star who will give the Suns plenty of problems. They must find a way to contend him. The last time he played in Phoenix he scored 48 points, which may of been one of those fluke games but the Suns can't allow him to get off again. Certainly not when Joe Johnson is still missing.
Small Forwards
Quentin Richardson Vs Bruce Bowen
Quentin Richardson averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds in the 2nd round series against Dallas. He shot nearly 40% from three but didn't have one real stand out game. He is due for a big shooting game and hopfully this is the game he does It. With Joe Johnson out many thought It was Q who would step up and bring extra offense to replace Joe's production. That didn't happen so maybe now Q will step his game up and make a name for himself in the conference finals. Bruce Bowen is not a scorer nor is he a guy who will score alot of points but he is a shut down defender who can get under your skin. He does however have a nack of knocking down three-pointers. Mainly in the corner. That is his shot and the Suns must be aware of that part of his game.
Power Forward
Shawn Marion Vs Tim Duncan
Shawn Marion had a huge performance in the 2nd round. Where he averaging 23 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks a game on 48% shooting. He will again be depended on having a huge series against San Antonio. He will be going up against one of the best players in the NBA and the former two time MVP Tim Duncan. Duncan who has struggled with injury this year was thought to be hurt in game 6 of their series with Seattle but came back to hit the game winner. Marion will need to restrict Duncan from having a huge series while taking advantage of his quicker from the outside. With Duncan's injury he will not be as quick as he normally would be. Duncan's main focus will be to get the Suns dangerous frontcourt into foul trouble. With the lack of depth the last thing the Suns will need is for Amare or Shawn to have to sit down due to fouls.
centers
Amare Stoudemire Vs Nazr Mohammad
Amare Stoudemire for the most part was unstoppable against the Mavericks in round two. Averaging 28 points and 12 rebounds on near 55% shooting. He also went to the line 82 times in the 6 game series. If he can do the same in the Spurs series then It will meah he is attacking, getting points but also getting the Spurs big men in foul trouble. Which is a must when facing a team like this. Nazr Mohammad may not be a great player but he is a good rebounder who can really finish around the basketball off offensive rebounds. The Suns must keep a body on him and not let him kill you on the boards.
Benches
With Joe Johnson still missing, Jim Jackson will again be the starter which will mean Barbosa has to be the main guy off the bench. Guys like Steven Hunter were non factors in the Dallas series but I have a feeling he will get some good time against San Antonio. A team that likes to slow It down and dump It into the big guys. Thats the kind of team Hunter will get some minutes against. The Spurs have a strong bench with Brent Barry, Beno udrih, Robert Horry, Devin Brown and even Glenn Robinson will get some time. Although Brown is not ready to play due to injury. They still have bodies to go to and Robert Horry will be the key guy off the bench. One of the best clutch players in NBA history.
Key's to the game
Spurs
- Get Tim Duncan going early. He has struggled a little bit lately due to injury but he can still dominate a game inside
- Get Tony Parker involved early by attacking Steve Nash. Parker has struggled in the playoffs so far but he has a history of playing well Vs Steve Nash. He will be looking forward to this match-up.
- Don't let Steve Nash get into the lane. Nash proved in the Dallas series If you let him do whatever he wishes by attacking he will find the shooters and kill you by dishing It into Amare .Spurs team defense must be at It's best in this one.
- Keep It a halfcourt game. he last thing you want to do when playing the Suns is to start running with them. Granted the Spurs can run but the more you do that the more you get exposed by the Suns on the break.
- Amare had a huge series in round two by attacking the basket and getting to the line. He will need to do the same here in the conference finals. Get the Spurs big's in foul trouble. Mainly Duncan but I don't think the Spurs are dumb enough to let Duncan guard Amare.
- Keep running and running. Don't let the Spurs make you play their style of a halfcourt game. Keep pushing that ball to get easy scores. The Spurs will life tough for you to score so any easy points on the break is a must.
- Suns need to use their quickness inside and take advantage of the Spurs slowe big's. Duncan and Mohammad are not anywhere near as quick as Marion or Amare so they keep to attack them and use their speed up and down the floor.
- With Joe Johnson still missing the Suns will need another big performance out of Jimmy Jackson. He shot 47% from three in the Dallas series. He will needed to score a good amount again in this series.
The Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs will meet in the western conference finals after both teams won their 2nd round series. Phoenix knocked off Dallas 4-2 while the Spurs wrapped up their series with Seattle in 6 games, 4-2. Spurs struggled to see off an injury troubled Sonics team after being up 2-0 and the Sonics came back to level 2-2 but San Antonio took came of business at home and won game 6 in Seattle on a last second shot by Tim Duncan.
Game 1 will be a key game to set the tone of the series as It is in every playoff series. Joe Johnson is still missing so Jim Jackson who had a great 2nd round series will remain the starter. The Spurs also have some trouble woes with Devin Brown missing and Tim Duncan not said to be completely 100% yet due to the ankle injury he came down on in game 6. Even though he still played the end of that game.
This series has been the one everyone has been looking forward to since they knew the Suns were this good. Now all that talk of who's better, who would win is now over. Both teams get to get It on in the conference finals. What better than the best two teams in the western conference finals facing off? so many great match-ups with match-up problems for both teams. This is going to be a great back and forth series.
Suns have the advantage heading into game 1 with the Spurs having a few guys with injury problems who need more rest after a very tough psyical series against Seattle. The Suns are fresh and ready to go. Being without Joe Johnson against Dallas is one thing but against San Antonio? that is very tough. The Suns will need Joe back really soon If they are to win this series.
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