Must-win Game 2....for the Spurs

[BILLYE]

this might sound silly for alot of you out there, but I think that Game 2 is a must-win for the Spurs in the sense that Phoenix is going to play even harder and we have to come into that game with the same intensity. Look for Ginobili, Bowen and Finley to up their production in Game 2. Parker will be there as usual. Don't expect Duncan to get 33 and 16 again on Tuesday...He will be passing out of the double-team....lots of layups for the backcourt on Tuesday....

[DarrinS]

You worry too much. I wasn't even expecting the Spurs to win game 1. Game 1 was just a bonus, IMO.

[florige]

You worry too much. I wasn't even expecting the Spurs to win game 1. Game 1 was just a bonus, IMO.



Yeah Really. While I really want a win tommorow, our season isn't over if we lose. We have snatched homecourt either way now.

[TheTruth]

We took home court away. Mission accomplished. Winning game 2 would just be better for my heart.

[kskonn]

this might sound silly for alot of you out there, but I think that Game 2 is a must-win for the Spurs in the sense that Phoenix is going to play even harder and we have to come into that game with the same intensity. Look for Ginobili, Bowen and Finley to up their production in Game 2. Parker will be there as usual. Don't expect Duncan to get 33 and 16 again on Tuesday...He will be passing out of the double-team....lots of layups for the backcourt on Tuesday....


Well I agree that Tim will see a lot more double teams in game 2 however I don't see finley upping his game, he played pretty damn good in game 1. However Ginobli really needs to step up in game 2, mainly because of the above mentioned doubles that duncan will see,The spurs need ginobli to have one of his 30-40 point games during game 2.

[kskonn]

Also, I would look for Amare to have a much better game on Tuesday, so another X factor will be Elsons ability to defend amare and claim Defensive rebounds to keep Amare from getting any second chance points.

[Agloco]

Already being discussed in this thread.....

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66419

I'm of the same opinion BTW. I think Game 2 is huge for the Spurs. I get the uneasy feeling that they will drop one here in SA. They haven't played well at home all season.

[twincam]

this might sound silly for alot of you out there, but I think that Game 2 is a must-win for the Spurs in the sense that Phoenix is going to play even harder and we have to come into that game with the same intensity. Look for Ginobili, Bowen and Finley to up their production in Game 2. Parker will be there as usual. Don't expect Duncan to get 33 and 16 again on Tuesday...He will be passing out of the double-team....lots of layups for the backcourt on Tuesday....

Don't forget that the Spurs expect that from the Suns and the Spurs will play harder as well. This is nothing new. Every game in the playoffs is a must win. Plain and simple.

[CubanMustGo]

I'm of the same opinion BTW. I think Game 2 is huge for the Spurs. I get the uneasy feeling that they will drop one here in SA. They haven't played well at home all season.

Funny, Phoenix hasn't won a game in SA the last two seasons.

[Agloco]

Funny, Phoenix hasn't won a game in SA the last two seasons.

As is said many times over: It's the playoffs now. Throw that out of the window.

Fact is, the Spurs have made me uneasy all season at home. With losses to Milwaukee, Boston and Charlotte can you blame me?

[ATRAIN]

spurs in 5


As much as I would like to break out the brooms, yeah we prob arent going to take game 2.

[spursfan09]

Its must win for the Suns, why would they want to go down 0-2 heading to SA?

[Winery]

every game is a must win

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

I dont think the Suns can afford to double Timmy,if they begin to do that I can see 2 things resulting from that:
a. Parker and Ginobili will carve up the Suns interior D
b. Bowen/Horry will have wide open looks at 3's

[nkdlunch]

are you kidding? must win my ass.

Spurs are in good position. even if they lose game 2.

[nkdlunch]

Its must win for the Suns, why would they want to go down 0-2 heading to SA?


:tu

[SpurForLife]

As is said many times over: It's the playoffs now. Throw that out of the window.

Fact is, the Spurs have made me uneasy all season at home. With losses to Milwaukee, Boston and Charlotte can you blame me?


Hey, you just said throw that stuff out the window. That's the regular season. It's the playoffs now. And I too really don't see Phoenix winning the series whether they win one in SA or not.

[boutons_]

"Phoenix hasn't won a game in SA the last two seasons."

April 5th is close enough to be relevant. An devastating L that probably spooked the Suns, dented the confidence they had spent all season building, as they got into playoff mode.

Had the Mavs similarly demolished the Warriors 17 Apr @DAL, Mavs might still be in the hunt.

Spurs have won 5 straight playoff games in PHX.

Make it 6 Tue night, and the series is over.

[SAGambler]

We took home court away. Mission accomplished. Winning game 2 would just be better for my heart.

Nope....Mission will be accomplished when the Spurs have won 4. And the sooner they win them the better. I certainly hope the Spurs act as if they are 0-1 instead of 1-0. It would be huge for them to win both in Phoenix.

In the playoffs, you need to "win and get it over with". Prime example....GS had Dallas back to the wall and let them off the hook in Game 5.

First quarter, next game, their best player pulls a hamstring. That would have been prevented if they just closed out Game 5 like they should have.

[Winery]

Manu needs to stay outa foul trouble because although Parker will have his way in the paint, we can't expect him to shoot lights out away from the basket like he did in game 1. We need to do a little bit better job guarding the 3 point shot. They missed some open 3 point shots. Over all, I think we own these guys. Spurs in 5

[Agloco]

Hey, you just said throw that stuff out the window. That's the regular season. It's the playoffs now. And I too really don't see Phoenix winning the series whether they win one in SA or not.


The difference here is that the Suns are a good team. Those scrub teams had no business winning here in the first place. If the Spurs can lay goose eggs against much inferior competition there's no telling what goes against a legitimate contender at home.

[GrandeDavid]

"Must win" is overkill now. Its an abused, overused and near meaningless term nowadays. A true "must win" applies to a team facing imminent elimination.

So, no, game 2 is not a must win.

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

Expect Pop to find a way to better defend the pick and rolls the Suns were throwing at us today, on several occasions nash was able to have an open jumper from beyond the arc due to what looked like confusion in which player was supposed to step out and defend the shooter. I really dont see what else Phoenix can do right for next game, Duncan D'd Amare up very well, Tony is going to keep shooting or going around whoever is guarding him, Ginobili has to have at least a decent game in Gm 2, and I look for a much more low scoring game. Timmy said after the game how we want to play more in the 80's-90's and I fully expect Spurs playoff Defense to kick into full gear next game. Win one their way, and win one ours.