GrandeDavid
05-12-2013, 10:44 PM
In 2003, at the start of the run to their second championship, the strongly favored Spurs had some trouble dispatching the pesky Stephon Marbury-led Phoenix Suns. We all remember Marbury's running, buzzer beating three following a Duncan free throw miss in Game 1. But jumping ahead in the series, San Antonio stole one back in Game 3 on the road. Game 4 wasn't too dissimilar to today's game in that it was a low-scoring affair in which the Spurs squandered many opportunities and lost 84-82.
Coming back home to Game 5, seeds of doubt were planted but the Spurs ended up reeling off a twelve point victory. Then it was back to dreaded Phoenix for Game 6, where the Spurs won a nailbiter by two points to close out that tougher than expected series in six games.
Yes, this is a different team, but the Big Three have been in this situation previously. Fans are frustrated now at the ridiculously anemic free throw and field shooting, the stupid squandered opportunities, but it's now clear that the Spurs just about have this series under control. They've obviously figured out how to keep the affairs low scoring, which definitely benefits the Spurs. The Spurs simply will not screw themselves and their fans over in Game 5. Worse comes to worst they can always send Kawhi, Manu, Tony and Duncan driving to the rim to draw fouls. And I don't see them shooting 55% again from the free throw line.
I expect the Spurs to win Game 5 by a good margin then put away Golden State late in Game 6.
Coming back home to Game 5, seeds of doubt were planted but the Spurs ended up reeling off a twelve point victory. Then it was back to dreaded Phoenix for Game 6, where the Spurs won a nailbiter by two points to close out that tougher than expected series in six games.
Yes, this is a different team, but the Big Three have been in this situation previously. Fans are frustrated now at the ridiculously anemic free throw and field shooting, the stupid squandered opportunities, but it's now clear that the Spurs just about have this series under control. They've obviously figured out how to keep the affairs low scoring, which definitely benefits the Spurs. The Spurs simply will not screw themselves and their fans over in Game 5. Worse comes to worst they can always send Kawhi, Manu, Tony and Duncan driving to the rim to draw fouls. And I don't see them shooting 55% again from the free throw line.
I expect the Spurs to win Game 5 by a good margin then put away Golden State late in Game 6.