duncan228
04-22-2009, 12:46 AM
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Series On (http://www.nba.com/spurs/timeout/20secondto.html)
by Bill Schoening
You didn't really expect anything different, did you?
When the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks play a preseason game there's a buzz. So when they hook up for a playoff series, watch out. That is the case once again this season and judging from the first two games, this series will be another memorable one.
The Spurs are determined to keep 7-foot German Dirk Nowitzki in check. In Game 2, Nowitzki connected on just three field goals. The Spurs have given him a variety of looks by putting different defenders on him. Matt Bonner, Michael Finley, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Ime Udoka and Kurt Thomas have all spent time in the first two games trying to contain the high scoring forward.
The Mavs, conversely, are trying to figure out ways to slow down point guard Tony Parker, who exploded for 38 points and eight assists in Game 2. Former Texas A&M Aggie Antoine Wright has gotten into early foul trouble in each of the first two games while guarding Parker.
Jason Kidd, JJ Barea and Josh Howard have all taken their cracks at Parker as well. Mavs' coach Rick Carlisle may end up employing more zone in an effort to turn Parker into more of a shooter than a scooter. The Spurs, already facing a challenge without the services of Manu Ginobili, now gear up for a raucous crowd in Dallas for games three and four.
The series is on.
Series On (http://www.nba.com/spurs/timeout/20secondto.html)
by Bill Schoening
You didn't really expect anything different, did you?
When the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks play a preseason game there's a buzz. So when they hook up for a playoff series, watch out. That is the case once again this season and judging from the first two games, this series will be another memorable one.
The Spurs are determined to keep 7-foot German Dirk Nowitzki in check. In Game 2, Nowitzki connected on just three field goals. The Spurs have given him a variety of looks by putting different defenders on him. Matt Bonner, Michael Finley, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Ime Udoka and Kurt Thomas have all spent time in the first two games trying to contain the high scoring forward.
The Mavs, conversely, are trying to figure out ways to slow down point guard Tony Parker, who exploded for 38 points and eight assists in Game 2. Former Texas A&M Aggie Antoine Wright has gotten into early foul trouble in each of the first two games while guarding Parker.
Jason Kidd, JJ Barea and Josh Howard have all taken their cracks at Parker as well. Mavs' coach Rick Carlisle may end up employing more zone in an effort to turn Parker into more of a shooter than a scooter. The Spurs, already facing a challenge without the services of Manu Ginobili, now gear up for a raucous crowd in Dallas for games three and four.
The series is on.