leemajors
05-14-2005, 01:28 PM
Scouting Update: Sonics-Spurs
Insider
James
By Brian James
ESPN Insider
Keys in Game 3
San Antonio: The Spurs had been shooting much better from the charity stripe in the playoffs, but FT shooting cost them in Game 3. They made only 19 of 34 for 55%, and 4 of 10 down the stretch. Most of the misses came from Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The trio combined for 59 points, but just didn't make the plays at the end of the game.
All a coach can do is put his team in position to win, and the players need to execute. Coach Greg Popovich drew up a critical sideline out of bounds play to have Duncan get one last opportunity to win the game for San Antonio. Ginobili threw a good pass to Duncan,who had set a screen along the baseline and cut back to the elbow area to meet the ball. Most times he will knock this down, but Vitaly Potopenko did a great job of bothering him on this attempt. The result was a miss and a Seattle win. This was a very intense, back and forth game.
Seattle: The Sonics definitely felt a sense of urgency. They were the aggressors, and were not going to let the Spurs go up 3-0 in the series. The Sonics did a much better job defensively of keeping San Anotnio's guards out of the lane. They locked down and as a result, the Spurs went the last the last 4:30 without a field goal.
Offensively, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis did not make a FG in the final period. The two combined to shoot 9 for 33. Lewis left the game with under 4 minutes remaining with a sprained left big toe and Reggie Evans spent the second half in the locker room with back spasms. Jerome James had his first good game of the series with a perfect 7 for 7 from the field.
Adjustments for Game 4
San Antonio: Realistically, a split puts the Spurs into very good shape. Bruce Bowen will continue his aggressive style of play against Allen and try to keep him from having a huge scoring night. San Antonio has been tremendous with their three-point perimeter defense, as they again held the Sonics to only two three-pointers in Game 3. They have a 17-8 edge in three-point baskets in the series. The Spurs are avoiding getting sucked into the paint and leaving shooters wide open on the weak side of the floor.
Seattle: This is all about being the aggressor and maintaining the same determination as in Game 3. The Sonics must approach this game like a Game 7. Defensively, they must continue to make stops and create transition opportunities for themselves. Being the third best FT shooting team in the league proved beneficial in Game 3 and shooting well from the charity stripe will again be crucial to winning.
Both Lewis and Evans must play well, despite not being completely healthy. Lewis must take some pressure off Allen. Right now he is hesitating on his three-point attempts and not shooting with great confidence. Overall, the Sonics must generate more open three-point attempts in transition or in the drive and kick game. James talked about the lack of respect for the Spurs, now he must back it up. He must keep the Spurs out of the paint.
Brian James, a former assistant coach with the Pistons, Raptors and Wizards, is a regular contributor to Insider.
Insider
James
By Brian James
ESPN Insider
Keys in Game 3
San Antonio: The Spurs had been shooting much better from the charity stripe in the playoffs, but FT shooting cost them in Game 3. They made only 19 of 34 for 55%, and 4 of 10 down the stretch. Most of the misses came from Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The trio combined for 59 points, but just didn't make the plays at the end of the game.
All a coach can do is put his team in position to win, and the players need to execute. Coach Greg Popovich drew up a critical sideline out of bounds play to have Duncan get one last opportunity to win the game for San Antonio. Ginobili threw a good pass to Duncan,who had set a screen along the baseline and cut back to the elbow area to meet the ball. Most times he will knock this down, but Vitaly Potopenko did a great job of bothering him on this attempt. The result was a miss and a Seattle win. This was a very intense, back and forth game.
Seattle: The Sonics definitely felt a sense of urgency. They were the aggressors, and were not going to let the Spurs go up 3-0 in the series. The Sonics did a much better job defensively of keeping San Anotnio's guards out of the lane. They locked down and as a result, the Spurs went the last the last 4:30 without a field goal.
Offensively, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis did not make a FG in the final period. The two combined to shoot 9 for 33. Lewis left the game with under 4 minutes remaining with a sprained left big toe and Reggie Evans spent the second half in the locker room with back spasms. Jerome James had his first good game of the series with a perfect 7 for 7 from the field.
Adjustments for Game 4
San Antonio: Realistically, a split puts the Spurs into very good shape. Bruce Bowen will continue his aggressive style of play against Allen and try to keep him from having a huge scoring night. San Antonio has been tremendous with their three-point perimeter defense, as they again held the Sonics to only two three-pointers in Game 3. They have a 17-8 edge in three-point baskets in the series. The Spurs are avoiding getting sucked into the paint and leaving shooters wide open on the weak side of the floor.
Seattle: This is all about being the aggressor and maintaining the same determination as in Game 3. The Sonics must approach this game like a Game 7. Defensively, they must continue to make stops and create transition opportunities for themselves. Being the third best FT shooting team in the league proved beneficial in Game 3 and shooting well from the charity stripe will again be crucial to winning.
Both Lewis and Evans must play well, despite not being completely healthy. Lewis must take some pressure off Allen. Right now he is hesitating on his three-point attempts and not shooting with great confidence. Overall, the Sonics must generate more open three-point attempts in transition or in the drive and kick game. James talked about the lack of respect for the Spurs, now he must back it up. He must keep the Spurs out of the paint.
Brian James, a former assistant coach with the Pistons, Raptors and Wizards, is a regular contributor to Insider.