Western Conference Finals Game 2- Spurs @ Suns Game Thread

[Amare32]

WESTERN CONFERENCE​

FINALS-GAME 1​

San Antonio Lead Series 1-0​

San Antonio @ Phoenix Suns​

When Tuesday 24th May
Time: 6.00 PT
Location: AWA, Phoenix
TV: ESPN

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


Key's To The Game

Spurs

• Tony Parker must keep attacking Nash and getting to the rim. Parker had 29 points in game 1 and played a huge game in the 2nd half. He must play consistant basketball.

• Get consistant points from the bench. In game 1 Brent Barry had 21 points off the bench while Robert Horry had 12. They got alot of energy and big points from their reserves. They must get the same kind of output again in game 2.

• Tim Duncan's ankle isn't 100% but still poured in 28 points and 15 rebounds in game 1. Spurs must feed him the ball downlow as he has a clear advantage whoever is guarding him.

• Must contend Shawn Marion and Quentin Richardson again. They both combined for just 10 points in game 1. With Marion only scoring 3 points. The key for the Spurs is to stopping Marion.

Suns

• Make sure Amare doesn't get into foul trouble early on. In game 1 Amare had to sit most of the 1st quarter as he picked up two early fouls. He dominated the game there after.

• Get Shawn Marion involved early, he scored just 3 points in game 1 by far his worse performance in this playoffs. Maybe his worse for a couple of years scoring wise.

• Keep going to the pick and roll, the Spurs struggled at times with it and anything to try and make life tough for Tony Parker is a good thing.

• Must play defense in the 4th and get stops. Can't just rely on the offense. The Spurs scored on 10 straight plays in the 4th quarter. You simply can't win games like that.

Final Thoughts

The San Antonio Spurs stole homecourt straight away in game 1 of the western conference finals after defeating the Phoenix Suns 121-114. Behind Tony Parker's 29 points, Tim Duncan had 28 points and 15 rebounds while the surprise hero was Brent Barry who has struggled all through the playoffs had 21 which included 5 threes. The Suns were led by Amare Stoudemire who had 41 points. League MVP Steve Nash had 29

Game 2 is a huge game for the Suns. We need to get game 2, there's no If's or but's about It. You can't go into San Antonio down 2-0 no matter how good you are on the road. It's all about getting off to a fast start and playing with energy. Something the Suns didn't do in game 1. That must change If the Suns want to have a chance at winning this series. Wether Joe Johnson is there or not. You play with what you have.

Shawn Marion and Quentin Richardson combined for just 10 points in game 1, both need to add alot more to the game than they did in game 1. Mainly Marion, who has been playing amazing ball in the playoffs so far. Marion is a 19 and 11 player. He needs to bring his season averages to game 2 and that the Suns will have a great shot at taking this thing back to the SBC center in San Antonio tied at 1-1.

 

[Amare32]

Sorry there's no full preview like the previous ones. Been very busy with work lately.

 

[chickenhead]

The key IMO is that the Suns come out strong, and not be as chaotic as they were in the first quarter on Sunday. The Suns are used to being able to come back explosively, which they did around the half, but the Spurs are the one team they truly can't be sloppy against. Despite the high scoring game, there were a lot of lost points in that first quarter. GO SUNS!!

 

[Cheesebeef]

Come on Boys! Beat them AT LEAST ONCE THIS FREAKING SEASON! Bring EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT! It's game time!

 

[F-Dog]

Phoenix is a 4.5-point favorite tonight. I guess bettors believe the league is fixing the game.

The Suns should be in a mode where they're just trying to survive until Joe Johnson gets back. Q did a pretty good job on Manu--he was the least of the Suns' problems--but without Joe, the Suns don't have anybody to guard Tony Parker, and they never have anybody to guard Tim Duncan. In the fourth quarter on Sunday, they kept trying to bring Hunter in to get stops, but they couldn't catch up with Hunter on the floor, because playing the two centers killed their offensive flow.

Anyway, the Suns have to make outside shots tonight. Marion, Jim Jackson, Barbosa, even Q has to hit something. On defense, the Suns need to play with much more energy. The wide-open perimeter shots from game 4 have to be slightly contested, so that guys like Barry and Bowen have a chance to choke.

Should be a good one!

 

[Evil Ash]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/chat.php

Gametime Chat anyone

 

[ajcardfan]

Come on Boys! Beat them AT LEAST ONCE THIS FREAKING SEASON! Bring EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT! It's game time!

Uh, they didn't listen.

The way the last game ended and this one started, this series has all the signs of a sweep. Frankly, the Suns seem to be overly contented with the win over the Mavs.

If this is going to turn around tonight, they'd better get pissed off and let it all hang out.

Come on Suns, dammit!

 

[Billythekid]

Exactly like game 1. Ordinary start by the Suns. We are making them look too good!

Play some damn D!!! And get ANGRY!!!!

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Great defensive run right there. Was that 3 blocks and 2 dives? Almost ruined by an open Bowen 3 though....

 

[elindholm]

I know I've said this before, but does Richardson ever make both of a pair of free throws?

In any case, good comeback. Let's see if they can get some more fouls on Duncan, although in a way that's not a big help, since it inspires Ginobili to take over.

 

[az1965]

In any case, good comeback. Let's see if they can get some more fouls on Duncan, although in a way that's not a big help, since it inspires Ginobili to take over.

Duncan out with 4 fouls. Need to take advantage.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Is the game on any local stations? Bill Walton is pissing me off to the point of muting the tv

 

[ASUCHRIS]

God, we just are wilting at the end, especially defensively...I don't know if there is a less likeable team than the Spurs; at the end of the game, Nash was getting ridden down the court the entire time by Parker, and Bowen and company were hacking down on the Suns every time with no calls. Regardless, our defense when it mattered was crap, just like it was on Sunday. Tough loss.

 

[Cheesebeef]

every eventual champion needs to go through these series - no one wanted tobelieve it all season - but it's just the way the NBA is.

They fought hard again - but this is the ONE team in which we CAN'T get that defensive STOP.

Oh - and Shawn Marion can stop bitching and complaining about his lack of respect - maybe if you showed up in these two games - you'd get it - but scoring on the Mavs and stopping a soft bitch like Dirk (who ALWAYS sucks in the playoffs) just doesn't cut championship mustard.

I won't say it's gonna be a sweep - but it's gonna take a SUPERHUMAN performance by EVERYONE to win a game in SA.

 

[cly2tw]

Well, offensively we played as well as possible but we still couldn't consistently defend Spurs pick/screen and rolls. Too often, though we changed it a little bit later, we ended up double-teaming the ball handler, leaving too much space for the rolling player Duncan for most times. Duncan is in general slow rolling to the basket. If Nash, like he did it once, sticks his body to Duncan before he gets too deep a position, it'd be much harder for Parker to face Hunter and make a good decision. Our defense makes it too easy for them, like our tendency to give their 3-pt shooters too much space which led to Horry's last 3pt.

Also, the way they called fouls on us by defending Duncan, Amare should get a call on almost every of his inside drives.

In general, our lack of experience and concentration and rather late defensive adjustment was the reason we came up short two games in a roll.

 

[sly fly]

I'm just shocked as to the way Manu completely undressed Marion on those two, critical late game possessions.

For one, I couldn't believe Marion gave him so much space to operate. "Lock-down" defenders SMOTHER you. Marion was as soft as tissue-paper.

 

[ajcardfan]

This is reminding me of the Lakers-Suns series in the conference finals when KJ and Chambers had their first year together. They've run into a battle tested team that gets key calls and makes all the key plays in the crunch. I hope, unlike that year, these Suns win at least one or two games. I think there is a little more hope for the future too, because Stoudemire's ceiling is so high.

BTW, that ________________ Horry is killing us again and all he did here was throw a towel in Ainge's face. We're the ONLY team the SOB played for that he didn't make a big shot for in the playoffs.

 

[KingofCards]

Its hard to defend against a guy when he is allowed to take 6 steps.

 

[Cheesebeef]

it all boils down to experience guys. The Spurs seemingly got every shot they ever wanted in both 4th quarters - never pressing at all - while we melted down time and then didn't play D, because well, we haven't played D all season long. No one can really dispute that - it really most of the time was a matter of wearing people down and just continuing to score and bomb threes. Well - they met they're match - a team that can defend AND run with us.

I would love to see us win Game 3 in SA and considering I have to be at a damn wedding rehearsal and won't get to see it - I actually expect them to do it - just as the ultimate kick in the balls.

Knocking on death's door - but I'm not pissed - I KNOW the future for this tema is BLINDINGLY bright - this is only the beginning - this is the SOUR that makes the SWEET THAT MUCH BETTER.

Get JJ and Amare locked up this summer, hit on that draft pick and have Amare actually FOCUS on being a REBOUNDER - the future looks good, even if the present doesn't.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm just shocked as to the way Manu completely undressed Marion on those two, critical late game possessions.

For one, I couldn't believe Marion gave him so much space to operate. "Lock-down" defenders SMOTHER you. Marion was as soft as tissue-paper.

Sly - I thought it was impossible to get to the NBA and be "soft".

Shawn can stop carping about his lack of respect now - nothing on offense, nothing on defense in the biggets game sof the year. Very dissapointing.

 

[jibikao]

My expectations were much higher than most of you guys.

I have nothing to say.


The Suns needs to go to Spurs with the mentality that THIS IS NOT over.

If they've decided to give up, they will never win ****. Trust me on that.


0-2... not 0-3 yet.

 

[Cheesebeef]

This is reminding me of the Lakers-Suns series in the conference finals when KJ and Chambers had their first year together. They've run into a battle tested team that gets key calls and makes all the key plays in the crunch. I hope, unlike that year, these Suns win at least one or two games. I think there is a little more hope for the future too, because Stoudemire's ceiling is so high.

you're totally right AJ. But everyone remembers what we did to the Lakers the next year - right? Kicked their ass and their 64-18 record into the Pacific Ocean.

I actually expect the same next year. Probably not be the best record in the league - come in as a 3 seed, but then, we'll be ready and tested.

 

[Evil Ash]

This loss hurts but realistically I didn't think we'd win this series. The Spurs have a major experience advantage and they've used it so far this series. This a very young team that will have all of the major players signed for a long while (once we give JJ his extension). It hurts that more than likely this series and season is over but if we use it as a learning experience and a motivation tool, we'll be fine for next season

We really need to learn how to finish qtrs though. We keep having a chance to put teams away but instead mail it in at the end of the qtr. That has absolutely killed us this series.

 

[ajcardfan]

you're totally right AJ. But everyone remembers what we did to the Lakers the next year - right? Kicked their ass and their 64-18 record into the Pacific Ocean.

I don't think I've ever been happier after we won a series. Knocking off Magic Johnson and the rest of Showtime was sweet, sweet, sweet! (Was that the year we lost to Portland in the conference finals?)

I don't hate the Spurs to the level I hated those Lakers, but it would be damn sweet to dish it out to them next year. Hell, I'd find some satisfaction in forcing this series to six or seven and at least putting a seed of doubt in the bastard's minds.

 

[sly fly]

Sly - I thought it was impossible to get to the NBA and be "soft".

Shawn can stop carping about his lack of respect now - nothing on offense, nothing on defense in the biggets game sof the year. Very dissapointing.

Oooohhh. You got me there. Actually, that still holds true. You know what I mean.

I'm just really, really disappointed in Shawn. I though he turned the corner, and was ready to elevate his game on the prime-time level.

Unlike you though, I still think this series has some play left.

Regardless of today's game, I think Game 3 is the most important.