The one thing that concerns me about the Spurs as they head into Game 6

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

The Spurs still haven't found a way to counter Miami's "bounce-back" performances after a loss. For that matter, neither did the Pacers.

In Games 2 and 4, it was probably fully expected and anticipated that the Heat would come out of the gates with a frenetic effort to win the game and even the series, and yet the Spurs lost by 19 and 16 points respectively anyway. (Yes, the case could be made that the Heat had great urgency and need to win Game 5, but that was more of the Spurs' own bounce-back game.)

With the Heat at home for Game 6 in front of a home crowd, on the brink of elimination, the Spurs must be prepared for a desperate Heat team effort. I just haven't seen the Spurs being able to defend effectively against that sort of bounce-back game effort by the Heat. Of course, if the Spurs had done so in Games 2 or 4, this series might be over by now.

[TampaDude]

The Spurs still haven't found a way to counter Miami's "bounce-back" performances after a loss. For that matter, neither did the Pacers.

In Games 2 and 4, it was probably fully expected and anticipated that the Heat would come out of the gates with a frenetic effort to win the game and even the series, and yet the Spurs lost by 19 and 16 points respectively anyway. (Yes, the case could be made that the Heat had great urgency and need to win Game 5, but that was more of the Spurs' own bounce-back game.)

With the Heat at home for Game 6 in front of a home crowd, on the brink of elimination, the Spurs must be prepared for a desperate Heat team effort. I just haven't seen the Spurs being able to defend effectively against that sort of bounce-back game effort by the Heat. Of course, if the Spurs had done so in Games 2 or 4, this series might be over by now.

Worry not. Spurs in 6.

[3 Legged Dog]

I think the more accurate statement is; the Spurs have not figured out how to counter the grassy knoll-lone gumnan- conspiratorially bad cHeat favoring officiating that occurred in games 2 and 4.

[The Reckoning]

Duncan's last stand. Count it.

[41times]

We will see if the CHeat tighten up in closeout game 6 at home just like they did 2 years ago against Dallas
If they do it is Ring #5

[pgardn]

We can:

Cut down on the turnovers.
Rebound defensively.

Wade is playing out of his mind.

Playing game 5 again, with the aforementioned reversing, we are champs in six.

[Kidd K]

Honestly, I think the bigger concern is that the Spurs again posted a terrible turnover performance and got killed on the offensive glass again.

Spurs shot 60% to 43% and only won by 10.

That will not happen again. Spurs need to stop turning the ball over and need to rebound a lot better. They still haven't addressed those two MAJOR issues. The Heat got SIXTEEN more FGAs last night.

Yeah the refs were assholes, but 19 turnovers? Getting killed almost 3/1 in offensive boards??? That sorely needs to be addressed. They also had a very shitty defensive scheme against Wade. They practically concede everything but the last 8-10 feet of their side of the court to him and let him get off those short range fadeaways and drifters which every good scorer can take advantage of.

[pgardn]

We will see if the CHeat tighten up in closeout game 6 at home just like they did 2 years ago against Dallas
If they do it is Ring #5

The Dallas championship was one of the best overall runs I have ever seen by a TEAM lacking superior athletes. The spanking of the Lakers, especially the game 4 meltdown, was classic.

[SpurAddict561]

Both huge wins we had we controlled the game from start to finish. Both of their "blowout" wins we controlled the game the first half, even to the end of the 3rd, and then we just FLAT OUT FELL OFF.

We only played 33 minutes of good enough basketball, we need 48 tomorrow night. 48 MINUTES OR SPURS BASKETBALL AND WE GOT #5

[TrainOfThought5]

Thread is a fail because OP didnt use the word "Turnovers" once.

[BillMc]

Honestly, I think the bigger concern is that the Spurs again posted a terrible turnover performance and got killed on the offensive glass again.

Spurs shot 60% to 43% and only won by 10.

That will not happen again. Spurs need to stop turning the ball over and need to rebound a lot better. They still haven't addressed those two MAJOR issues. The Heat got SIXTEEN more FGAs last night.

Yeah the refs were assholes, but 19 turnovers? Getting killed almost 3/1 in offensive boards??? That sorely needs to be addressed. They also had a very shitty defensive scheme against Wade. They practically concede everything but the last 8-10 feet of their side of the court to him and let him get off those short range fadeaways and drifters which every good scorer can take advantage of.

Agree with you completely on the turnovers, but the offensive boards is a bit mixed. In order to stop the Heat's transition game we have to get guys back, which limits our ability to crash the offensive boards.

[DPG21920]

I worry about the short turn around more than anything. What people are forgetting, is while SA lost two big games in the setting you describe, they were only blown out because of a stretch of basketball. It was not coast to coast blowouts. Spurs led by 1 with 3 minutes left in the third in game 2. Spurs were well in this thing in game 4. If they can cut down turnovers, win the rebounding battle and still hit shots, they should be in it. Maybe game 6 is where that huge run doesn't come from MIA.

[Kidd K]

Agree with you completely on the turnovers, but the offensive boards is a bit mixed. In order to stop the Heat's transition game we have to get guys back, which limits our ability to crash the offensive boards.

Oh definitely man, I know you can't go for offensive boards without in a way compromising the transition defense. I'm more saying the effort on the defensive glass needs to be a lot better. I do think we can get a few more offensive boards (our quicker 3s and 4s need to be doing this, Leonard, Diaw, etc), but the main issue is just how much we're giving up.

Giving up a dozen or more offensive boards to a team who's KNOWN to not be a great rebounding team is not going to lead to good things. Especially when Birdman and Haslem aren't even playing that much! The Heat downsized and their rebounding actually went up.

I know you probably know the stats already, but for people reading this and wondering, here are the offensive rebounding stats for the series:

Game 1: Heat: 9, Spurs: 6 (Spurs barely win with Spurs winning turnover battle 4 to 8)
Game 2: Heat: 9, Spurs: 15 (didn't matter because 16 to 6 turnovers in favor of Heat and 41 to 49% shooting favoring Heat)
Game 3: Heat: 9, Spurs: 19 (huge blowout win for Spurs, turnovers 12 to 16 Spurs)
Game 4: Heat: 7, Spurs: 5 (9 to 18 turnover difference favoring Heat)
Game 5: Heat: 12, Spurs: 5 (Turnovers again favoring Heat, 13 to 18)


We've only won on the offensive glass twice (once leading to a blowout), and won the turnover battle twice, winning both times and once being a huge blowout. We shot 60% but only won 10 because we really sucked again on the glass and with the turnovers. We can't get killed by nearly 2 1/2 times on the glass.

Even more scary, our last two games were both our worst two offensive rebounding games and our worst two turnover games. Badly needs to be addressed imo. We have to play different to win game 6 or 7*.

*If neccessary. :lmao

[rexb]

Bonner hitting a 3 pointer :)

It will be Leonard this time..he'll provide the needed spark, key steal, key hustle for a loose ball, or key defensive play that will bring Spurs the 5th title. I'm hoping same result as the Warriors series.