keys for tonights game

[ducks]

manu needs to go off
terry is not playing

tp needs to bring it in first quarter like last 2 games


stopping howard is going to be key

dirk can get 35 but no help from howard or stack they lose


I expect mike finley will get 15-20 tonight
I think he wants to make sure there is a game 7

[CubanMustGo]

Weather the Mavs' & home crowd's emotional storm. If we can play the D we played late in Game 5 it will help. Mavs will come out on fire feeling they have been wronged.

[Shank]

Find out where Duncan and Parker want to go for vacation. Log onto Orbitz. Book trip to balmy lover's paradise somewhere in the Atlantic. Make out under the sun all day. Wait for next season to start.

[DarrinS]

ATTACK THE RIM!!!


"It's in the hole! It's in the hole!"
http://llamabutchers.mu.nu/archives/carl%20spackler.jpeg

[ducks]

spurs win the tip and make a fast break and get a dunk
would go a long wyas to quiet the mav crowd

[Steve Javie]

Me Not Refereeing.,..

[1Parker1]

Find out where Duncan and Parker want to go for vacation. Log onto Orbitz. Book trip to balmy lover's paradise somewhere in the Atlantic. Make out under the sun all day. Wait for next season to start.

:lol Mavs fans...

[ducks]

no traverling tp

[Texas_Ranger]

1.Defense, if we will play like in the last game we will win for sure
2.Offense, we need to outscore them. There is no Terry so I expect a great offense, specially from Tony, Michael and Manu.
3. Rebounds. In last game they had 38reb, we 30reb. Tim alone had 12reb.
4.Bench, last game our bench had only 5pts. And this 5pts scored just Brent Barry.
5.Give the ball to Timmy, he allways finds a way to the basket.
6.Parker`s assists, he is very bad in assists in this playoffs, he needs to have at least 6 ass or more.
7.Don`t think what would happen if you would lose the game, jut think on the win.
8.Play SPURS basketball

:flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag:

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

1.Defense, if we will play like in the last game we will win for sure
2.Offense, we need to outscore them. There is no Terry so I expect a great offense, specially from Tony, Michael and Manu.
3. Rebounds. In last game they had 38reb, we 30reb. Tim alone had 12reb.
4.Bench, last game our bench had only 5pts. And this 5pts scored just Brent Barry.
5.Give the ball to Timmy, he allways finds a way to the basket.
6.Parker`s assists, he is very bad in assists in this playoffs, he needs to have at least 6 ass or more.
7.Don`t think what would happen if you would lose the game, jut think on the win.
8.Play SPURS basketball

:flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag:
:tu damn straight...repeat our efforts of game 5 and elevate it...(game 5 was basically an elevation of the previous games 4,3 with an added resurgence of a couple key defensive stops) Believvvee...that the Spurs will take care of business on the road this time...and win game 6...

[austinfan]

1. What I'm gonna be curious to see is if the defense we played in the 4th quarter of Game 5 was just a case of the Spurs getting a few good stops, or if it's a sign that we've "broken the code," so to speak, and finally gotten a handle on how to play small-ball defense.

2. Rebounding

3. Taking advantage of the slower speed of the game without Terry on the court.

[JamStone]

If the Spurs somehow find a way to score more points than the Mavs, the Spurs might be able to pull out a win.

[101A]

There is a trend in this series:

Game 3 -1
Game 4 Even (OT)
Game 5 +1

It is trending in the Spur's favor.

Throw Terry's situation into the mix & Spurs win by 7-8.

[Louae]

The spurs need to get the ball to Tim Duncan in the post early and often. This will get the Dallas bigs in foul trouble and insure an early visit to the penalty.

Tony Parker needs to take the ball to the rim when the opportunities present themselves. No settling for jumpers. If he's gonna shoot a jumper, it's coming directly from a pass and when he's 12 feet out. Nothing further than that. Tony needs to put pressure on the Mavs defense by keeping his dribble alive while he's deep in the paint, ala steve nash. I feel that sometimes Tony has given up his dribble too soon and has thus bailed the Dallas defense out.

Manu Ginobili needs to be Manu Ginobili. The scoring would be great but the energy and the knack for creating havock on the Mav's defense and offense is a must have. Manu needs to be clutch as he was in Game 5 and in so many other times in the past.

All the smalls need to take an active approach in securing the defensive boards and block out. The smalls also need to help seal the lane by rotating and taking charges to any guard penetration. If they call it a blocking foul, they call it a blocking foul, but get to a damn spot and seal the lane.

Pressure the entry passer to Dirk in the high post. We need to help Bruce Bowen as much as possible and conserve his fouls for the fourth quarter. If he can enter the final quarter with 2 fouls. This game is over and game 7 is here.

[101A]

1. What I'm gonna be curious to see is if the defense we played in the 4th quarter of Game 5 was just a case of the Spurs getting a few good stops, or if it's a sign that we've "broken the code," so to speak, and finally gotten a handle on how to play small-ball defense.

2. Rebounding

3. Taking advantage of the slower speed of the game without Terry on the court.


That SAME defense, and similar effectiveness was on display in both 3 and 4 - just look at the Mavs FG%. Difference is whistles.

[DarrinS]

6.Parker`s assists, he is very bad in assists in this playoffs, he needs to have at least 6 ass or more.



That's never really been his game. He did have a few behind the back passes to Duncan for easy dunks. The Mavs caught onto it after 2 or 3 times.

[LEONARD]

Marquis Daniels bitches...Quizi will get 15-20 pts :)

[ndnjumpman]

1.Defense, if we will play like in the last game we will win for sure
2.Offense, we need to outscore them. There is no Terry so I expect a great offense, specially from Tony, Michael and Manu.
3. Rebounds. In last game they had 38reb, we 30reb. Tim alone had 12reb.
4.Bench, last game our bench had only 5pts. And this 5pts scored just Brent Barry.
5.Give the ball to Timmy, he allways finds a way to the basket.
6.Parker`s assists, he is very bad in assists in this playoffs, he needs to have at least 6 ass or more.
7.Don`t think what would happen if you would lose the game, jut think on the win.
8.Play SPURS basketball

:flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag: :flag:
yeah he likes it through the ass

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

That SAME defense, and similar effectiveness was on display in both 3 and 4 - just look at the Mavs FG%. Difference is whistles.
True and it wasn't a negligible difference...Spurs weren't able to defend against 14 + Free Throws in the 4th quarters of those games :madrun...

but we just gotta forget those games...we have (believing we can deliver tonight) 2 more games to play. Can't think of the past, gotta just focus what's still in front of us.

[DarrinS]

Marquis Daniels bitches...Quizi will get 15-20 pts :)


I have friends who are Mavs fans and they wince every time they see Daniels come into the game.

[1Parker1]

--I expect Mavs will try to get Harris to push the ball more up and down the court, which Spurs should hopefully be able to match up better against with small ball.

--We absolutely need more bench production than the 5 points Barry gave us last game. Horry & NVE (hopefully) need to help out in this aspect. It would help if this were the game where our excellent 3 point shooting came through for us.

--Spurs also need to keep a lead if/when they get it. Spurs squandered a 10 point lead, and a cushiony 5 point lead in a matter of minutes in Game 5. That's not how you want to play in an elimination game on the road.

--Duncan needs to score his series average of at least 31 points for the Spurs to have any serious chance. Duncan is the player on the court which Mavs have absolutely no answer for. Plus, he gets their bigs into foul trouble when he's this aggressive and making shots left and right.

--Manu needs to be our hustle man like he's been for the past 2 or so games. Diving for lose balls, getting jumpballs, the steals...he really is the Spurs energizer out there. Something which is neccessary especially on the road.

--Tony needs to play smarter basketball. He's turning the ball over way too much. He also needs to learn to pace himself through 3 quarters, instead of trying to do it all in the first half. The biggest X-Factor however, will be his defense on Harris tonight. With Terry out, I fully expect Harris to have the green light to go off. Tony really needs to match his speed and stay in front of Harris and get him to pass the ball early.

PS. Mavs in 6, Right Obi? ;)

[LEONARD]

I have friends who are Mavs fans and they wince every time they see Daniels come into the game.

He can be hit and miss and he'll make the occasional bad pass, but he can make an impact...

(I wince a little too honestly, but he has to step up tonight)

[Trainwreck2100]

He can be hit and miss and he'll make the occasional bad pass, but he can make an impact...

(I wince a little too honestly, but he has to step up tonight)


Then why dont you put in Griffin, and try to make up for some of Terry's points on the D end and get another player to step up.

[LEONARD]

Then why dont you put in Griffin, and try to make up for some of Terry's points on the D end and get another player to step up.

I don't see that happening...Griffin could get some minutes, but not the bulk. What other player will step up? KVH?? Uggh...

I suppose you can't put anything past Avery.

Like going to a zone D the last game for the 1st time in the series when the Spurs got up 10 pts...he's a b-ball genius. :fro

[FromWayDowntown]

I think one early key is for the Spurs to weather the emotions that will be flowing early in the game. The Mavs and that crowd will be juiced. Get to the 6:00 mark of the 1st in decent shape (within 3-5 points) and they will have done that.

[DarrinS]

He can be hit and miss and he'll make the occasional bad pass, but he can make an impact...

(I wince a little too honestly, but he has to step up tonight)


I think his strength is making a strong move to the basket. He just needs to take care of the ball and not turn it over.

You may wince when you see Daniels come off the bench, buy I nearly choke on my beer when I see Nick Van Exel enter the game.

[Drive Like Jehu]

1. Ball Movement on offense. Make all five Dallas players work on defense. Plus it will be even more important to move the ball when AJ call for the zone utilized at the end of game 5. Let Tim and Tony get their plays called for them, however the more we move the ball, the more we can get Manu and Finley involved in offense. Manu is a difference maker, and Finley has been able to direct his emotions (anger) into passionate play on the court.

2. Defend the pick and roll. One of the keys to to Spurs small ball defense in game 5 was Bowen switching players before the ball was passed and the pick was set. It really broke down the Mavs offense in the 2nd half. Once the play is broken, the Mav with the ball can either drive on Bowen (bad idea), try to get the ball to Dirk even though he was unable to set a pick and let him create 1 on 1 (best Dallas option, but eleminates team play), or pass to another Mav player (bad idea when the Manu and others will be playing the passing lanes once the play breaks down).

3. Finding the delicate balance between rebounding and transition defense. One of the reasons the Spurs have been suffering on the glass is that they are concentrating on transition defense. It's a tall order, but having our bigger wings (like Finley) be able to effectively box out in the paint is the key to that balance.

4. Hustle. The team needs to follow Manu's lead from the end of game 5. We need 48 minutes of passion x 5 players to win tonight.

[mando6599]

Popovich,

Play a big!

[Dirk41MVP]

Find out where Duncan and Parker want to go for vacation. Log onto Orbitz. Book trip to balmy lover's paradise somewhere in the Atlantic. Make out under the sun all day. Wait for next season to start.

They are going to the "Palms"... :lol

[LEONARD]

I think his strength is making a strong move to the basket. He just needs to take care of the ball and not turn it over.

You may wince when you see Daniels come off the bench, buy I nearly choke on my beer when I see Nick Van Exel enter the game.

Daniels will make you scratch your head over some of his passes...

NVE should stay on the bench with KVH...Harris completely exposed NVE as Nick "The Thick" and not so much Nick "The Quick" anymore...

[ManuTastic]

Key: Pop teaches them real quick how to play against a zone. I couldn't believe he let them get stopped by it three times in a row when they put it on. F-ing high school shit.

Key #2: Rebound the G---dam ball. These guys are really good shooters. Letting them get offensive boards is suicide. That's how they erased the 10-pt lead on Wed. night. Rebound the ball, boys.

[SAGambler]

Spurs need good, tough defense... No touch fouls. If you gonna foul the guy, make him know he got fouled...No "and 1s". Do not foul and allow them to get the ball up.

Foul Daniels hard early on. Make him leary of driving to the rim.

Tony need to zip around Harris early and often.. Try to get him in foul trouble early in the game... He will reach and try to grab Tony every time he goes by.

Oh, and did I mention. Some refs that will let them play and not bail Dallas out.

[itzsoweezee]

i say stop double teaming nowitzski. let him try to get his (he'll choke when it's crunch time anyways), just don't let harris or stackhouse do anything. spurs have got to adjust to the dallas zone. san antonio was on a roll until avery went to the zone and then the momentum suddenly collapsed.

oh, and the spurs need to shoot more threes! i know dallas has made an emphasis of not letting the spurs guards open on the perimeter, but if it's open, take it.

[Crookshanks]

Spurs need to stay mentally tough and not let the crowd get to them. They need to focus, focus, focus for 48 minutes and play like their very lives depended on a win!

[SAGambler]

I think his strength is making a strong move to the basket. He just needs to take care of the ball and not turn it over.

You may wince when you see Daniels come off the bench, buy I nearly choke on my beer when I see Nick Van Exel enter the game.

Goddamn, it makes me sick to my stomach to see NVE coming in. And I was one of those that wanted him here...

Geez, he's been a huge disappointment....

I keep expecting him to go off, and he continues to throw up bricks.

[itzsoweezee]

Spurs need good, tough defense... No touch fouls. If you gonna foul the guy, make him know he got fouled...No "and 1s". Do not foul and allow them to get the ball up.

Foul Daniels hard early on. Make him leary of driving to the rim.



couldn't agree w/ you more.

[bigglendiesel]

Big numbers from the starters... especially Michael Finley and Manu Ginobili... Timmy's a given... TP is gonna go crazy and school Harris.... damn I can't wait!

[nkdlunch]

dirk can get 35 but no help from howard or stack they lose


that's the key

[Sasha]

yeah he likes it through the ass


That was uncalled for.

[Sasha]

Mavs will come out on fire feeling they have been wronged.


Mavs always feel like they've been wronged - it's Cuban's MO (and apparently AJ's now, too). We can handle that.

[Sasha]

If the Spurs somehow find a way to score more points than the Mavs, the Spurs might be able to pull out a win.


Yeah, that's usually how the Spurs win - more points... Sorry. I couldn't resist it. I'm nervous.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

Manu is due for a huge game, and with Terry not in the line up there is no more excuses

[101A]

Go straight at Harris, over and over and over.

Make him foul; stand in front of his drive, pick up an offensive on him. He sits; game over.

[Islymore]

I have friends who are Mavs fans and they wince every time they see Daniels come into the game.


im not your friend... but i wince too... he's just too much of a liability... in my book. i dont think its nice or even sportmanlike for anyone to say foul hard... but that depends on the context of hard.

with that said - i think the spurs shouldnt insert a big into their scheme, i think they are finally getting their cylinders rolling when it comes to this small ball thing. and i think that's something Pop has been paying attention to. and i think another big will disrupt what they have going.

the spurs should worry about the zone bc it bewildered them for a stretch of time in game 5. i dont think avery will go to it too quick or too early... but you never know. this chess game has been exciting.

the spurs could use better D on Devin. He gets in how he wants to, when he wants to. but that doesnt mean i think he deserves hard foul. tim just needs to keep doin what hes doin, manu and tp need to have a helluva game.

what else? i think the both teams could use better ball movement and not insist on taking a shot bc you think you are open... that doesnt always come to pass. both teams could use a dose of extra zoom on their transition D, both have been lagging. i think the mavs can outrun the spurs... but that doesnt mean they can necessarily outscore them. and that may be the problem for the Mavs. they rely too much on their scorers that sometimes they forget that Dirk's shot doesnt always fall and by then its too late bc everybody is at the opposite end of the court. the mavs need to push the ball and play Mavs ball rather than settlin for the halfcourt Spurs ball. Just some thots.

[pache100]

Rebound the G---dam ball. These guys are really good shooters. Letting them get offensive boards is suicide. That's how they erased the 10-pt lead on Wed. night. Rebound the ball, boys.

Amen! There are actually three keys...1) rebound...2) Rebound...and 3) REBOUND!


i say stop double teaming nowitzski. let

I agree with that, too. Let him get 40 points if he wants. Limit the rest of the Mavs to 30 and they are TOAST!