E20
04-24-2005, 11:01 AM
Sorry if this is already been posted,
LINK (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpNDQ3MW9lBF9TAzk1ODYxOTQ4BHNlYwNv ZQ--?slug=cnnsi-spursnuggetsbre&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns)
Spurs-Nuggets Breakdown
Marty Burns, SI.com
The Spurs will win if ...
Tim Duncan is anywhere near 100 percent healthy. Duncan missed 12 games down the stretch with a sprained right ankle but returned for the final four games and appeared to be OK. With Duncan and ace perimeter stopper Bruce Bowen, the Spurs are a defensive juggernaut. San Antonio ranks No. 1 in the NBA in points allowed (88.3) and No. 3 in field goal percentage allowed (42.7 percent). The Spurs also take care of the ball and control the backboards, bad news for foes that like to run (like the Nuggets). Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili should have little problem with Denver's guards, and Bowen will make Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony work for everything. Brent Barry, Robert Horry, Glenn Robinson and Nazr Mohammed spearhead a formidable bench, with the latter capable of filling in if center Rasho Nesterovic (ankle) can't play.
The Nuggets will win if ...
George Karl can keep the magic going. Since Karl became head coach, the Nuggets are 31-7 record, including an NBA-best 24-4 after the All-Star break. Karl improved the defense, picked up the pace on offense, revamped the bench and got Anthony back in shape. But Denver also benefited from a soft schedule, including two wins over a Spurs team without Duncan. Still, the Nuggets have enough talent in the likes of Andre Miller, Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby and sixth man Earl Boykins to pose problems. Camby, who's recovering from a sore hamstring, gives Denver a big-time shot-blocker and rebounder. Meanwhile, Miller has a strength advantage over Parker. The key for Denver will be to get out and run, since scoring off half-court sets may be difficult. But to run, the Nuggets will need to make stops -- and their improved defense was slipping late in the season.
Key matchup
Duncan vs. Martin: Despite a sub-par season by his MVP standards, Duncan remains a force at both ends. He averaged 20.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.65 blocks while providing his usual steady leadership. Martin (15.5 points, 7.3 boards) doesn't post big numbers, but he's a fiery competitor who won't be intimidated. K-Mart has experience playing against Duncan in the 2003 Finals, and will make him work for everything. Duncan will set up the Spurs offense by drawing double teams in the post, but he'll also roam into the high post where he's effective shooting or passing. Martin must stay with Duncan at all times, but that could leave Denver's paint open for cutters. At the other end, K-Mart must run the floor in hopes of wearing down Duncan and prevent him from setting up under the basket. Martin's ability to hound Duncan -- and fire up his team and the Denver crowd -- figures to be a major factor in the series.
Interesting fact
Denver is one of three teams to win at San Antonio's SBC Center, where the Spurs were an NBA-best 38-3 during the season. Meanwhile, the Nuggets used their Mile High altitude to full advantage late in the season, winning 20 of their final 21 at the Pepsi Center.
The pick
The Nuggets have enjoyed a fantastic turnaround under Karl. But the playoffs are about defense, and no team does it better than San Antonio. Spurs in 6.
LINK (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpNDQ3MW9lBF9TAzk1ODYxOTQ4BHNlYwNv ZQ--?slug=cnnsi-spursnuggetsbre&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns)
Spurs-Nuggets Breakdown
Marty Burns, SI.com
The Spurs will win if ...
Tim Duncan is anywhere near 100 percent healthy. Duncan missed 12 games down the stretch with a sprained right ankle but returned for the final four games and appeared to be OK. With Duncan and ace perimeter stopper Bruce Bowen, the Spurs are a defensive juggernaut. San Antonio ranks No. 1 in the NBA in points allowed (88.3) and No. 3 in field goal percentage allowed (42.7 percent). The Spurs also take care of the ball and control the backboards, bad news for foes that like to run (like the Nuggets). Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili should have little problem with Denver's guards, and Bowen will make Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony work for everything. Brent Barry, Robert Horry, Glenn Robinson and Nazr Mohammed spearhead a formidable bench, with the latter capable of filling in if center Rasho Nesterovic (ankle) can't play.
The Nuggets will win if ...
George Karl can keep the magic going. Since Karl became head coach, the Nuggets are 31-7 record, including an NBA-best 24-4 after the All-Star break. Karl improved the defense, picked up the pace on offense, revamped the bench and got Anthony back in shape. But Denver also benefited from a soft schedule, including two wins over a Spurs team without Duncan. Still, the Nuggets have enough talent in the likes of Andre Miller, Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby and sixth man Earl Boykins to pose problems. Camby, who's recovering from a sore hamstring, gives Denver a big-time shot-blocker and rebounder. Meanwhile, Miller has a strength advantage over Parker. The key for Denver will be to get out and run, since scoring off half-court sets may be difficult. But to run, the Nuggets will need to make stops -- and their improved defense was slipping late in the season.
Key matchup
Duncan vs. Martin: Despite a sub-par season by his MVP standards, Duncan remains a force at both ends. He averaged 20.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.65 blocks while providing his usual steady leadership. Martin (15.5 points, 7.3 boards) doesn't post big numbers, but he's a fiery competitor who won't be intimidated. K-Mart has experience playing against Duncan in the 2003 Finals, and will make him work for everything. Duncan will set up the Spurs offense by drawing double teams in the post, but he'll also roam into the high post where he's effective shooting or passing. Martin must stay with Duncan at all times, but that could leave Denver's paint open for cutters. At the other end, K-Mart must run the floor in hopes of wearing down Duncan and prevent him from setting up under the basket. Martin's ability to hound Duncan -- and fire up his team and the Denver crowd -- figures to be a major factor in the series.
Interesting fact
Denver is one of three teams to win at San Antonio's SBC Center, where the Spurs were an NBA-best 38-3 during the season. Meanwhile, the Nuggets used their Mile High altitude to full advantage late in the season, winning 20 of their final 21 at the Pepsi Center.
The pick
The Nuggets have enjoyed a fantastic turnaround under Karl. But the playoffs are about defense, and no team does it better than San Antonio. Spurs in 6.