 VS
New Orleans Hornets vs San Antonio Spurs ESPN previewIn evening their best-of-seven series 2-2 with a 100-80 rout of New Orleans, the Spurs did everything we've become accustomed to seeing over the past few years. Each of their big three produced big numbers, with Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan combining for 54 points in the first three quarters to put the champs up 85-61 before the Hornets waved the white flag. The Spurs' ball movement was outrageously good, with the ball flying around the perimeter once one of the big three gave it up and seemingly always landing in the paws of an open shooter. That enabled the Spurs to shoot 58.9 percent through three quarters and assist 22 of their 33 field goals; nearly all the ones that weren't assisted were straight screen-and-roll drives by Parker.
"It's all about moving the ball against these guys," Duncan said. "We know where they're coming from and we have to find our shooters and make jump shots." The offense was a major factor, but the D was just as important. San Antonio stopped the Hornets for the first time all series, by using the same strategy they've used successfully against Phoenix's Steve Nash and applying it to Chris Paul. Before Game 1, Hornets coach Byron Scott had mentioned that in order to beat the Spurs you have to take away one of their big three, and for two games his team did that by neutralizing Duncan. Sunday, however, they were nowhere close. "Our intensity was terrible," Scott said. "From Game 1 to Game 4, it's gotten worse, and theirs has gotten better. They're just kicking our butts right now." The Spurs still have work left to do, of course. Winning on the road has become a rather difficult proposition in these playoffs, if the first 15 games of the second round are any judge (road clubs are just 1-14). San Antonio has to win at least once in Nawlins if it's going to survive another round. Additionally, don't expect the Hornets to roll over. They're young, yes, but in talking with both the Mavericks and the Spurs in these first two rounds, it's been clear how much respect opponents have for New Orleans' ability to play beyond its years. The Hornets are unusually smart and team-oriented for young guys, and they're tough. "They have an edge to them," a Spurs exec said. "We went back to being a little inexperienced in this situation," Scott said, "and we just didn't match their effort." BetonBasket.com analysisSeries are tied 2-2 but now Spurs are on the wave. They are improving game by game while their opponents again need to find something inside their souls to take a lead in the series. Sure sold New Olreans arena will help them a bit but now they will be playing against much better Spurs version than it was in first two games. Duncan is finaly healthy (was sick in first games), Parker and Ginobili are hot and role players are on fire. More of that Spurs got their defence back and with better offense now they can play & win both styles. Honestly speaking Spurs were good in first halves of Game 1 and Game 2 but in the 2nd half New Orlen smashed them out of the court. Hornets managed to win only 4 quarters of 16 played in these series and it was enough to take 2 games because Spurs allowed those killing runs. Today I expect experience and champions mentality to prevail over newbies in playoffs. As it often happens mature teams usually wins key games and Game 5 is key game in this series. I think that -3.5 on NO Hornets is more like a signs of respect to their home record and H-2-H results this season. But now when Spurs turned their "championship playoffs" mode I think it is at least 50/50 game and Spurs are my slight favorite. If I would be only bookmaker in the world I would set 1.90-1.90 line for this game. PredictionI don't expect easy win for any side. First half of the game should be a close one as usualy in happens in games between these teams this year. 3rd quarter will be the most important but Spurs finaly should be ready for this storming Hornets quarter. Expect also Spurs to slow down tempo in 2nd half to make defense decising factor on the field. Spurs experience will prevail over emotions and Hornets drive. Spurs to win a game by 3-6 points. Predicted score: New Orlean Hornets 92 - 95 Spurs Pick: SA Spurs +5 @ 1.74 Bet365.com
New articles on this topic:
Older articles on this topic: |
Free Picks 
