duncan228
04-17-2008, 08:19 PM
The article breaks down all 8 series, I just posted the Spurs/Suns.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/wires/04/17/2030.ap.bkn.playoff.preview.capsules.2057/
No. 3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (56-26) vs. No. 6 PHOENIX SUNS (55-27)
Season series: Suns 3-1. Phoenix won both games after acquiring Shaquille O'Neal. Tim Duncan was a combined 15-for-40 in those two games, while O'Neal averaged 15 points and 12.5 rebounds. The Suns won twice in San Antonio.
Storyline: Second straight year these teams meet in the postseason. Spurs won last year's tense Western Conference semifinal in six games, aided by suspensions to the Suns' Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw in Game 5.
Key matchup I: Duncan vs. O'Neal and Stoudemire. Stoudemire was frequently in foul trouble trying to defend Duncan, but now is free of that responsibility with O'Neal there to do it. Duncan, one of the league's top low-post defenders, probably has to take turns defending both.
Key matchup II: Manu Ginobili vs. Leandro Barbosa. Ginobili is the best sixth man in the league, and Barbosa, who won last year's award, isn't too far behind. But the Suns can afford an off night from Barbosa, the Spurs have no chance if Ginobili doesn't play well.
X-factor: Grant Hill. Sat out the season finale with a groin injury but is expected to be fine by the series opener. Considered signing with the Spurs before opting for the Suns, and now tries to show San Antonio what it missed out on.
Prediction: Spurs in 7.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/wires/04/17/2030.ap.bkn.playoff.preview.capsules.2057/
No. 3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (56-26) vs. No. 6 PHOENIX SUNS (55-27)
Season series: Suns 3-1. Phoenix won both games after acquiring Shaquille O'Neal. Tim Duncan was a combined 15-for-40 in those two games, while O'Neal averaged 15 points and 12.5 rebounds. The Suns won twice in San Antonio.
Storyline: Second straight year these teams meet in the postseason. Spurs won last year's tense Western Conference semifinal in six games, aided by suspensions to the Suns' Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw in Game 5.
Key matchup I: Duncan vs. O'Neal and Stoudemire. Stoudemire was frequently in foul trouble trying to defend Duncan, but now is free of that responsibility with O'Neal there to do it. Duncan, one of the league's top low-post defenders, probably has to take turns defending both.
Key matchup II: Manu Ginobili vs. Leandro Barbosa. Ginobili is the best sixth man in the league, and Barbosa, who won last year's award, isn't too far behind. But the Suns can afford an off night from Barbosa, the Spurs have no chance if Ginobili doesn't play well.
X-factor: Grant Hill. Sat out the season finale with a groin injury but is expected to be fine by the series opener. Considered signing with the Spurs before opting for the Suns, and now tries to show San Antonio what it missed out on.
Prediction: Spurs in 7.