Tonight's minutes allocation..

[HarlemHeat37]

Do you guys expect Pop to actually give out game 7-type of minutes, tbh?..

It seems like an obvious answer, but it's never a given with Pop..

Kawhi should play 45, Tony should play at least 42, Tim should play at least 40, Danny Green should play at least 40 IMO..

Please, no more atrocious lineups that destroy momentum..

[SpurAddict561]

ie No more Splitter....

[Joyrider]

Either Diaw or Leonard should be on Lebron on every single second of the game.

[41times]

i would give Slitter 5 minutes tonight. Assuming the Spurs are up 20 with 5 minutes to go

[Mugen]

It will probably be really close to Game 6 distribution minutes (sans OT).

Unless the Spurs are somehow up by 20+ to start the 4th, I don't take out Parker/Duncan. Actually, even if they are up 20, i still don't take them out. Pop can buy them a few minutes here and there but never at the same time.

[playblair]

give blair splitters minutes ........... blair would dominate battier ................

[Spur|n|Austin]

Diaw needs most of Tiago's minutes. It's unfair to say we don't play Tiago as we need him in certain situations.


give blair splitters minutes ........... blair would dominate battier ................

:lol

[MeloHype]

I just dont wanna see tiago and manu on the court together tbh unless timmy is in with them

[Darius McCrary]

I started a thread similar to this
I think playing Duncan and Parker heavy minutes in the first half will lead to total disaster in the 2nd. I think Pop needs to find a way to keep them ready for that fourth quarter, they can't be gassed like game 6.

I hope to dear God I'm wrong.

[SA210]

I'll say this, Pop better leave a scorer and ball handler on the floor at all times.

[coyotes_geek]

Depends on the score and what combinations are working.

[TDomination]

I'll say this, Pop better leave a scorer and ball handler on the floor at all times.

So whats better right now, Manu at point, Neal at point or Corey Joseph at point while Parker is out?

[HB22inSA]

Parker, Duncan, Leonard, and Green need to play 40+ regulation minutes.

And no less than 10 minutes of the 4th.

[DesignatedT]

I expect a 8 man rotation like last game with Neal, Diaw and Splitter off the bench. Starters play heavy minutes. Diaw gets around 20, Neal around 12-15 and Splitter around 8.

[SA210]

So whats better right now, Manu at point, Neal at point or Corey Joseph at point while Parker is out?

I'm praying to the basketball God's that Manu has another Game 5.

[coyotes_geek]

So whats better right now, Manu at point, Neal at point or Corey Joseph at point while Parker is out?

We already know that it's going to be Manu, regardless of whether or not he's actually the answer to the question above, so all we can do is what's below...


I'm praying to the basketball God's that Manu has another Game 5.

[playblair]

manu PNR with splitter = disaster = turnovers both ways.............. no more splitter manu PNR.................... let diaw handle the ball...........

[BatManu20]

Our guys are going to be a little sluggish from last game. They played major minutes. And we absolutely have to have Timmy and Tony fresh in the 4th to even have a chance. That mean guys like Neal, Splitter, and maybe even Bonner are going to get some more PT.. God help them.

[024]

I just don't see how Pop can give more minutes to Parker and Duncan. They looked absolutely empty at the end of the game. The Spurs weren't built this way, they were built around role players. The role players have to step up so they can give more rest to Parker and Duncan, plain and simple.

[Agloco]

I'm praying to the basketball God's that Manu has another Game 5.

Pretty much all we're left with in terms of having good play on the ball when Tony is out.

[DesignatedT]

Manu needs to go play like its his last game of his career. Have faith in Manu. He will be effective out there. He won't go off but he will make plays.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

I guess one good thing about Game 7 is that there's no longer a need to take rest or weariness for "the next game" into account.

[Kidd K]

Duncan: 40-42 minutes
Parker: 40-45 minutes
Leonard: 30-40 minutes
Ginobili: 12-32 minutes (depending on his level of play)
Green: 20-36 minutes (depending on his play and Manu's)
Splitter: 12-22 minutes (depends on how soft he's being)
Diaw: 25-30 minutes
Neal: 10-24 minutes (depending on Ginobili)

Joseph: 0-12 minutes (depends on Ginobili)
Bonner: 0-8 minutes
Blair: 0-10 minutes (if Splitter goes soft)
De Colo: 0 minutes
T-Mac: 0 minutes
Mills: hurt, so DNP
Baynes: 0 minutes

[ducks]

pop says seeing new people like blair is not happening makes no sence unless a disaster is at hand

[TD 21]

No. If we were going to see it, we'd have seen it in game 6. He'll predictably try to buy as many minutes as he can get away with for the starters in the 1st half and even the 3rd, so long as they're not in anything more than a modest deficit.

The one rotation tweak he absolutely needs to make is to make sure at least one of Duncan/Leonard are in at all times. The instant both are out, the defense/rebounding falls apart.

[Seventyniner]

At least 2 of the big 3 on the floor at all times. And that big 3 includes Leonard.

[Holden_Caulfield]

neal will have a great game. hes due.

[james evans]

if he subs, he can't be subbing all 5 starters and putting in the NIT tournament squad. that kills us. i'm ok with resting timmy, but don't rest timmy, parker, and leoanrd all at the same time for 5 minutes straight at no point of the game.

[james evans]

btw, i don't want to see ginobli in the building.

[superjames1992]

I wouldn't expect Pop to deviate much from the norm, tbh.

For reference, look at game 7 from the 2005 NBA Finals vs. Detroit.

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=250623024

No real extreme minutes there. Looks about average to me for a playoff game.

[bklynspursfan]

Hopefully they are within close range or if very fortunate, have a lead of 8+ so that Timmy & Tony can get good rest in the 1st half, maybe only play 16-17 minutes. This way they can play the majority of the 2nd half.

I do think 1 of them needs to be on the court at all times unless Manu has it going early.

[bklynspursfan]

I wouldn't expect Pop to deviate much from the norm, tbh.

For reference, look at game 7 from the 2005 NBA Finals vs. Detroit.

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=250623024

No real extreme minutes there. Looks about average to me for a playoff game.

Ha, so crazy Pistons only had 6 turnovers that game.

[HarlemHeat37]

I understand the argument that Parker and Duncan may not play as many minutes as possible, but there's no argument for Kawhi not playing at least 43 minutes IMO..

[MannyIsGod]

I dunno man. Even Kawhi has to get tired at some point. You can't blow your load too early and then flame out in the end. Its a tough one to balance. i do think its important to figure out how and when to limit the 2nd unit if he's going to run out one of those scary lineups. We'll see.

[ducks]

kl can not guard james the whole game withotu getting tired
he spends alot on d
taking tp ,duncan and kl otu a minute or two before a tv timeout would give a bigger blow but less game time actually off the clock

[chapnis]

I wanna see Leonard play 48.

[Seventyniner]

Can Kawhi match LeBron minute-for-minute? He wouldn't necessarily have to guard LeBron every time down the floor (let Diaw and Green take a few possessions, but not in crunch time).

[EVAY]

Parker, Duncan, Leonard, and Green need to play 40+ regulation minutes.

And no less than 10 minutes of the 4th.

Agreed.

[Nathan89]

i would give Slitter 5 minutes tonight. Assuming the Spurs are up 20 with 5 minutes to go

I wouldn't do that tbh. Maybe if we are up 35pts with 5minutes.

[Nathan89]

Should play Diaw on Lebron more when Wade is on the court instead of the shooters. That would preserve Kawhi some. To better do this Diaw would have to start and I doubt anything changes tonight on that regard.

[MannyIsGod]

Should play Diaw on Lebron more when Wade is on the court instead of the shooters. That would preserve Kawhi some. To better do this Diaw would have to start and I doubt anything changes tonight on that regard.

Actually this is a good point. I think thats probably a good spot to use Diaw on Lebron.

[said7]

give blair splitters minutes ........... blair would dominate battier ................

Gotta give you credit at least your consistent.

[tesseractive]

I expect a 8 man rotation like last game with Neal, Diaw and Splitter off the bench. Starters play heavy minutes. Diaw gets around 20, Neal around 12-15 and Splitter around 8.
I'd rather shorten it to 7 at this point unless someone gets in foul trouble. Diaw plays minutes for Tim, Kawhi, and Manu, and Neal backs up Tony and Danny. I agree Tim and Tony should never leave the floor at the same time.

Tiago doesn't match up well, and doesn't seem to be handling the intensity well -- I'd be afraid to put him in.

[therealtruth]

The Spurs don't have the energy to play the same minutes as game 6.

[cd021]

neal will have a great game. hes due.

U watched game 3 Neal had 24 off the bench

[cd021]

Parker -43 minutes/Manu - 7 minutes Green-35 minutes /Neal-13 minutesGinobili -33 minutes/15 Leonard -15Leonard-27 minutes/Diaw- 21 minutesDuncan-42 minutes / Diaw-6 minutes

[DeadMoney]

Critically important for SA to keep control early - keep the Heat energy level down, create doubt, etc. SA will need to work their way back into the game emotionally. No individual can suffer the demise they did in Game 6 without it leaving a mark. SA can win....we'll see how big their cajonnes are after all.