How To Beat the Hornets
Has Pop figured out how his team of veterans can beat the younger, more energetic New Orleans Hornets? If so, let's hope that what happened last night can be replicated three more times, and that Byron Scott and his team are unable to adjust.
1. Matthew Powell at PtR gives credit to Bruce Bown for shutting down Peja Stojakovic. After averaging 23.5 points in the first two games, Peja was held to eight by Bruce last night. (Speaking of Peja, I attended game one in New Orleans and Peja's face on a stick was handed to fans as they entered the Hive. I kept it and brought it to last night's viewing, so my fellow SpursDynasty writers could properly deface Peja's image before and during the game. I thought I might post it here for our readers to enjoy, but this is a family site. Ok, that's not true. I'll post it later.)
2. Johnny Ludden points out the Bowen-Stojakovic matchup and another adjustment that made a big difference in game three.
3. The Big Three need to combine for 65 or more points. That was the magic number during the regular season. Last night Parker and Ginobili had 62! We need more big games from our Big Three.
4. Keep turnovers to a minimum. The Spurs gave it up 13 and 15 times in games one and two, compared to seven and eight times for the Hornets. Turnovers were a draw last night - both teams had 10.
For more in-depth analysis, read what Charley Rosen writes for FOX Sports. And while you're at it, check out the poll question, "Will the Spurs come back and win the series?"
1. Matthew Powell at PtR gives credit to Bruce Bown for shutting down Peja Stojakovic. After averaging 23.5 points in the first two games, Peja was held to eight by Bruce last night. (Speaking of Peja, I attended game one in New Orleans and Peja's face on a stick was handed to fans as they entered the Hive. I kept it and brought it to last night's viewing, so my fellow SpursDynasty writers could properly deface Peja's image before and during the game. I thought I might post it here for our readers to enjoy, but this is a family site. Ok, that's not true. I'll post it later.)
2. Johnny Ludden points out the Bowen-Stojakovic matchup and another adjustment that made a big difference in game three.
The Spurs can’t live without Parker. He helped carry them through the first round against Phoenix and if they have any hope of making this a competitive series, he’ll have to do some more heavy lifting. On Thursday, that meant also guarding Paul.I would add two more items to the list of things the Spurs need to do to win three out of their next four games.
Such duties often don’t make for much fun. Bowen chased Paul for much of the series’ first two games and Paul simply picked apart the Spurs with his passing, making Peja Stojakovic one of his favorite targets. Realizing as much, Popovich opened Thursday with Bowen on Stojakovic. Having frequently tormented Stojakovic in Sacramento, Bowen again kept him in check.
Popovich also made one other important adjustment: He turned the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year into a starter.
3. The Big Three need to combine for 65 or more points. That was the magic number during the regular season. Last night Parker and Ginobili had 62! We need more big games from our Big Three.
4. Keep turnovers to a minimum. The Spurs gave it up 13 and 15 times in games one and two, compared to seven and eight times for the Hornets. Turnovers were a draw last night - both teams had 10.
For more in-depth analysis, read what Charley Rosen writes for FOX Sports. And while you're at it, check out the poll question, "Will the Spurs come back and win the series?"
posted by D Strickland at 8:33 AM
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