How Important are these first 2 Home Games??

[dbreiden83080]

How Bad do we need these first 2 at home??

[easjer]

They need them the same that they need the first two in any series, particularly with HCA. Gotta defend at home, so you aren't forced to pick up an extra road win. (I personally think they'll split the first two).

[GinobiliLooms]

well, losing the first game of the playoffs has worked out pretty well for the Spurs in the past....

[duncan228]

Every game is important. It's a tough road through the West this year, they've got to end each series in as few games as possible. I hope they bring a "game 7" mentality to every game.

[dbreiden83080]

I think if they can get the first 2 they will be in the heads of the Suns a bit. Suns have never gotten over that hump that is Timmy and the Spurs. Go up 2-0 and i have no doubt they will be doubting themselves yet again. I expect a very fired up Spurs team in game 1 for sure.

[GinobiliLooms]

Aahhhhh!!!!! I Cant Wait!!!!@!@#~!~~@~!~~~

[T Park]

If you lose one of the first two at home, Phoenix takes it.

These first two games, the season pretty much rests on them.

[dbreiden83080]

If you lose one of the first two at home, Phoenix takes it.

These first two games, the season pretty much rests on them.

Why, the Spurs have won games in Phoenix in 2005 and 2007, no need to feel they can't win in Phoenix this year either, in my book.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

The series doesn't begin until a road team wins.

[dbreiden83080]

There is no such thing as a series that is over after one game. Spurs have been nothing short of brilliant on the road during their title run, so if they lose game 1 and leave with a split nobody should be panicking they can't win the series. They can't go down 0-2 obviously but they can afford a split here.

[ducks]

spurs do not have to win both at home
the suns do however
spurs have proven they can lose the first game then win the series
I do not want them to though

[boutons_]

Spurs were weak on the road all season.
This maybe the only HCA the Spurs have these playoffs, so defend it to the max.

No use in dragging out the agony, sweep the first 2, split in PHX 3-1, then finish @ATT, 4-1.

Then rest.

Mavs-Hornets will probably go 6 or 7, as the Spurs spectate.

[td4mvp21]

Spurs need to go up 2-0. That will put the Suns in doubting mode. All we would need to do is steal at least 1 in Phoenix, where we historically have played very well. I don't think the first two games will necessarily be indicative of the series outcome, but they are going to shape how the series goes. I would still feel fairly confident that the Spurs could win at least one game in Phoenix if the first two games produce a 1-1 tie.

[Allanon]

These first two games in SA are vital to the season success and the overall health of Spurstalk. If the Spurs lose these 2 at home, they ain't coming back home. And then the cliff jumpers will start five million new threads and at least 10 new Scola ones :D

[DAF86]

These first two games in SA are vital to the season success and the overall health of Spurstalk. If the Spurs lose these 2 at home, they ain't coming back home. And then the cliff jumpers will start new threads :D

We aren't going to lose the first two, but if that happens i agree with you.
I do think we can split and still win the series though

[Cry Havoc]

Well, knowing the Spurs, we will likely come out and lay a dud in Game 1, just like we have against Denver in the past two seasons. I hope we don't, but typically Pop uses it to gear and tune us for the rest of the series. We'll see.

Winning game 1 is NOT essential, but it is important. If we win both games though, the series is over, because the confidence level of the Suns' players will plummet to Jules Verne levels.

[Mister Sinister]

Well, knowing the Spurs, we will likely come out and lay a dud in Game 1, just like we have against Denver in the past two seasons. I hope we don't, but typically Pop uses it to gear and tune us for the rest of the series. We'll see.

Winning game 1 is NOT essential, but it is important. If we win both games though, the series is over, because the confidence level of the Suns' players will plummet to Jules Verne levels.
I c wut u did thar.

[Obstructed_View]

The Spurs need to play well in four games in this series. While I'd prefer that they show up from the start, that's really all that matters. A long series might be a blessing in disguise for the winner; every series in the west is likely to go long, and the Spurs probably aren't the only team that has trouble after a long layoff.

[m33p0]

very. have to win convincingly to put doubt in the hearts of the suns. make them change their game plan and see them beat themselves in the process.

[mojorizen7]

The series doesn't begin until a road team wins.

Agree.
As far as PHX playoff history goes: I've always said that the SUNS are a better defensive team on the road and also play with better focus.
I can't count on one hand in the last 15 yrs how many critical playoff home games the SUNS have come out flat,soft, and just layed an egg.
No one is intimidated by coming in to AmWest/US AIR Arena.
I like the SUNS to win game 1 and drop game 2.

[Solid D]

In every Spurs' championship season, the Spurs split the first two games of the 1st round.

1998-99 Spurs beat Minnesota in Game 1 but lost Game 2 in San Antonio
2002-03 Spurs lost to Phoenix in Game 1 but won Game 2 in San Antonio
2004-05 Spurs lost to Denver in Game 1 but won Game 2 in San Antonio
2006-07 Spurs lost to Denver in Game 1 but won Game 2 in San Antonio

[himat]

First 2 games are always very important, but that does not mean a 1-1 or even 0-2 deficit is not manageable.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Crucial. We have not been good on the road this year, and this team's success is all about confidence, which has been easily shaken all season.

We HAVE to win game 1 off the back of the confidence gained by annihilating Utah. Losing the first may well doom the series IMHO.

We might be able to come back from 1-1, but if we go down 0-2 forget it. This team hasn't shown the balls to recover from that.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

How Bad do we need these first 2 at home??




how important? if they drop one of these games they are dead

[Brutalis]

San Antonio is not going to flake or fade. We will roll Thomas with help defense and Oberto will not get isolated on Shaq so much. Duncan will just have to play to his level for the anchor. Really focus on controlling the paint and rebounding and the offense will be fine to win this series.

[BonnerDynasty]

Every game is crucial. If the Spurs let up for even one second they are done.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

If the spurs go to phx 2-0, there's a great chance the series is won 4-1 or 4-0. Phx is happy they got 2 wins at San antonio this year so beating them twice at home will destroy whatever confidence they might have now.