duncan228
04-19-2009, 10:07 PM
Spurs-Mavs Game 2 keys to victory (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs-Mavs_Game_2_keys_to_victory.html)
Express-News
Break out the Windex
A lot went right for the Spurs on defense in Game 1. They kept Dirk Nowitzki from going nuts. They kept Jet Terry from taking flight. They were solid in transition, which is always a priority against the Mavs.
All that good work, however, was wiped out by the Spurs’ inability to clean the glass.
Dallas had 10 offensive rebounds in Game 1 — two fewer than the Spurs — and cashed them in for 21 second-chance points. Erick Dampier made his living cleaning up his teammates’ misses, getting four of his five field goals on putbacks.
If the Spurs are going to even the series in Game 2, they can’t allow the Mavs to get multiple shots per possession.
Something in reserve
The Spurs’ bench was basically non-existent in Game 1, combining for 14 points — the same number Brandon Bass gave the Mavericks.
Drew Gooden had eight points off the bench for the Spurs, and no other reserve scored more than six.
Along with Bass, J.J. Barea and Jason Terry — the league’s presumptive Sixth Man of the Year — combined for 39 bench points for Dallas.
That’s 39-14. The Spurs will be hard-pressed to win with that kind of bench-scoring differential.
Stay the course
The Spurs don’t see a crying need to change their defensive strategy for Game 2.
Sounds odd, after giving up 53.8 percent shooting and 60 points in the second half of Game 1. But the Spurs believe limiting Nowitzki and Terry, and forcing other players to make shots, gives them the best chance to win.
If guys like Barea and Bass can continue to beat the Spurs, Dallas deserves to win the series.
- Jeff McDonald
Express-News
Break out the Windex
A lot went right for the Spurs on defense in Game 1. They kept Dirk Nowitzki from going nuts. They kept Jet Terry from taking flight. They were solid in transition, which is always a priority against the Mavs.
All that good work, however, was wiped out by the Spurs’ inability to clean the glass.
Dallas had 10 offensive rebounds in Game 1 — two fewer than the Spurs — and cashed them in for 21 second-chance points. Erick Dampier made his living cleaning up his teammates’ misses, getting four of his five field goals on putbacks.
If the Spurs are going to even the series in Game 2, they can’t allow the Mavs to get multiple shots per possession.
Something in reserve
The Spurs’ bench was basically non-existent in Game 1, combining for 14 points — the same number Brandon Bass gave the Mavericks.
Drew Gooden had eight points off the bench for the Spurs, and no other reserve scored more than six.
Along with Bass, J.J. Barea and Jason Terry — the league’s presumptive Sixth Man of the Year — combined for 39 bench points for Dallas.
That’s 39-14. The Spurs will be hard-pressed to win with that kind of bench-scoring differential.
Stay the course
The Spurs don’t see a crying need to change their defensive strategy for Game 2.
Sounds odd, after giving up 53.8 percent shooting and 60 points in the second half of Game 1. But the Spurs believe limiting Nowitzki and Terry, and forcing other players to make shots, gives them the best chance to win.
If guys like Barea and Bass can continue to beat the Spurs, Dallas deserves to win the series.
- Jeff McDonald