Spurs will improve in Game 2
May 5, 2010 by PuckCoach
Phoenix had to win Game 1 against the Spurs. It was personal. Nash and Stoudemire were not going to be stopped and that made the Suns the right side. Jason Richardson was in form and scored 27. Phoenix' big 3 outscored the Spurs trio 83-73. The secondary scorers were even at 29-28 SA. San Antonio always plays better defense in Game 2 as Popovich is a great defensive coach. The Suns will make offensive adjustments and I look for a big game from Channing Frye. The key adjustment will be Richard Jefferson. He scored 4 points in Game 1 LOSS of the Dallas series and 19 in the Game 2 WIN. He scored 5 in the Game 1 LOSS vs Phoenix. He's a smart player and should play better Wednesday. On the other side, Grant Hill scored 4 in the Game 1 LOSS against the Blazers and 20 in the Game 2 WIN. Grant had 7 in Game 1 WIN Monday. Hill benefitted from Nic Batum's bad shoulder in Game 2. Jefferson will win this key matchup.
Ginobli, Parker and Duncan are consistent and well-coached. Popovich' defensive adjustments will cut the Suns scoring to low 100's. I like the Suns' defense as well but I see the Spurs making the needed adjustments and stealing a road WIN in this spot. I don't expect Phoenix to be less inspired but a slow start will give the Spurs their spark and they will finish.
SAN ANTONIO 107 PHOENIX 101
May 5, 2010 by PuckCoach
Phoenix had to win Game 1 against the Spurs. It was personal. Nash and Stoudemire were not going to be stopped and that made the Suns the right side. Jason Richardson was in form and scored 27. Phoenix' big 3 outscored the Spurs trio 83-73. The secondary scorers were even at 29-28 SA. San Antonio always plays better defense in Game 2 as Popovich is a great defensive coach. The Suns will make offensive adjustments and I look for a big game from Channing Frye. The key adjustment will be Richard Jefferson. He scored 4 points in Game 1 LOSS of the Dallas series and 19 in the Game 2 WIN. He scored 5 in the Game 1 LOSS vs Phoenix. He's a smart player and should play better Wednesday. On the other side, Grant Hill scored 4 in the Game 1 LOSS against the Blazers and 20 in the Game 2 WIN. Grant had 7 in Game 1 WIN Monday. Hill benefitted from Nic Batum's bad shoulder in Game 2. Jefferson will win this key matchup.
Ginobli, Parker and Duncan are consistent and well-coached. Popovich' defensive adjustments will cut the Suns scoring to low 100's. I like the Suns' defense as well but I see the Spurs making the needed adjustments and stealing a road WIN in this spot. I don't expect Phoenix to be less inspired but a slow start will give the Spurs their spark and they will finish.
SAN ANTONIO 107 PHOENIX 101