SPURS GET THEMSELVES BACK INTO SERIES, BUT THE HORNETS PROVED THEY ARE THE BETTER TEAM

Last night the San Antonio Spurs proved why they are worthy to be called champions. After getting routed in the first two games in New Orleans, the Spurs came back to defeat a determined and talented Hornets team 110-99 last night in game three of the Western Conference semi finals.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili finally made their presence felt in the series, combining for 62 points and 17 assists. Ginobili was inserted into the starting line-up and responded like the all star he is despite working with a sprained ankle. Tim Duncan, recovering from illness, was solid in the middle scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

The game was highlighted by an incredible duel between Chris Paul and Parker. Paul was simply amazing scoring 35 points, some of those shots that had to make the AND 1 STREETBALL ballers take notes, and keeping New Orleans in the contest. Spurs coach Greg Popovich, having no regard for Parker’s feelings or pride, decided to make the defensive switch and have Parker guard Paul. Despite getting torched by Paul, Parker would not be outdone and gave as well as he got.   

The factors in San Antonio winning game three were evident. They stayed with New Orleans most of the third quarter and started to put some distance between them by the end of the third and throughout the final quarter. Tim Duncan keyed an 18-6 run which gave San Antonio an eight point lead at 96-88. New Orleans never recovered from that spurt and with the big three of Parker, Duncan and Ginobili putting it into another gear (especially Parker) San Antonio got back into the series.

One of the great differences between game three and the first two games for San Antonio was the fact the Spurs made shots and New Orleans didn’t. When your team shoots a combined 41 percent from the field, 33 percent from the three point line, and average 83 points per game, unless Mike Brown is the coach for the opposing team, you ain’t gonna win!! San Antonio in game three shot 48 percent from the field, 44% from the three point line, and scored 110 points. Role players such as Michael Finley (11 points, 4/7 from 3pt land, 11 points), Bruce Bowen (12 points, 4/9 three point shots), and Kurt Thomas (10 rebounds) all played huge for the Spurs.

On the contrary, New Orleans suffered sub par play from players who played well in the Big Easy. Peja Stojakovic was invisible last night going 2/7 from the field and scoring 8 points. Morris Peterson was nonexistent scoring 3 points on three shots taken. Bonzi Wells was bad on both sides of the ball missing wide open shots, making silly fouls, and playing porous defense.

With the stories being written about where the series is going after the Spurs game three triumph, the story I’m going to write is this…San Antonio is playing their most difficult opponent since the Los Angeles Lakers of 2001. New Orleans gives San Antonio more difficulty than the Detroit Pistons team who took them to seven games in the NBA championship. More difficult than the Los Angeles Lakers team of Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Gary Payton of 2004. More difficult than any Mike D’Antoni led Phoenix Suns squad, or Avery Johnson Dallas Mavericks team.

The enormous energy the Spurs had to forward just to stay relatively alive in this series was quite telling. New Orleans for real and anyone who thought they would come back down to earth by playing the defending champs need to pay attention. There was a level of desperation coming from San Antonio that has not been seen in years. Popovich seemed more animated and energetic from the sidelines, the team played not only with urgency, but with a tad of fear. Not fear of the task or the opponent, but a fear in realizing they are playing a team that right now is better than they are. And to that point I happen to agree.

The Spurs may indeed even this series at 2 apiece on Sunday.  But in the end the youth, athleticism, and having the best all around point guard since Isaiah Thomas on your team will enable New Orleans to move on.