duncan228
04-29-2008, 12:13 PM
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/news/news.aspx?id=4147266
Spurs attempt to knock Suns out of playoffs
(Sports Network) - The defending world champion San Antonio Spurs attempt to finish off the Phoenix Suns, as the teams meet in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series tonight at the AT&T Center.
San Antonio leads this best-of-seven series 3-1. If necessary, Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at US Airways Center.
The Suns, who dropped the first three games of the set, stayed alive with a victory on Sunday at home. Raja Bell exploded for 27 points on 8-of-11 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, and No. 6 Phoenix earned a 105-86 victory over the third-seeded Spurs in Game 4 of the series.
Boris Diaw had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who played without veteran Grant Hill, who sat with a nagging groin strain. Two-time MVP Steve Nash had 15 points, while center Shaquille O'Neal added 14 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.
Tony Parker scored 18 points after pouring in a career-high 41 during San Antonio's win in Game 3. Tim Duncan finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who trailed by 21 after the first quarter.
Hill is doubtful for the Suns.
The Suns have lost two of their last three Game 5s in the playoffs. They are 5-2 in their last seven contests when facing elimination from the postseason.
Phoenix has dropped three straight road games in the playoffs.
The last time the Suns lost in round one was when they fell to the Spurs in six games during the 2003 postseason.
The Spurs have won nine straight Games 5s in the postseason. They have also captured eight in a row at home in the playoffs.
San Antonio has advanced to the West semis seven straight years. The last time the Spurs lost in the opening round was in 2000 when they were defeated by Phoenix, 3-1.
There is a lot of playoff history between the teams, as this is the ninth time that the clubs have met in the postseason. The Suns defeated San Antonio in the first round in 1992 and 2000 and in the semis in 1993. The Spurs beat Phoenix in the opening round in 1996, 1998 and 2003 and also in the 2005 Western Conference finals.
Last year, the Suns were eliminated by the Spurs, 4-2, in a very physical and emotional Western Conference semifinals series. The series took an interesting turn in Game 4, which was won by the Suns. Veteran Robert Horry committed a flagrant foul on Steve Nash. Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw left the Phoenix bench briefly, and both were suspended for Game 5. Horry received a two-game suspension for his role in the incident.
San Antonio won Game 5, 88-85, at US Airways Center and eliminated the Suns with a 114-106 victory in Game 6 at the AT&T Center.
Spurs attempt to knock Suns out of playoffs
(Sports Network) - The defending world champion San Antonio Spurs attempt to finish off the Phoenix Suns, as the teams meet in Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series tonight at the AT&T Center.
San Antonio leads this best-of-seven series 3-1. If necessary, Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at US Airways Center.
The Suns, who dropped the first three games of the set, stayed alive with a victory on Sunday at home. Raja Bell exploded for 27 points on 8-of-11 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, and No. 6 Phoenix earned a 105-86 victory over the third-seeded Spurs in Game 4 of the series.
Boris Diaw had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who played without veteran Grant Hill, who sat with a nagging groin strain. Two-time MVP Steve Nash had 15 points, while center Shaquille O'Neal added 14 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.
Tony Parker scored 18 points after pouring in a career-high 41 during San Antonio's win in Game 3. Tim Duncan finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who trailed by 21 after the first quarter.
Hill is doubtful for the Suns.
The Suns have lost two of their last three Game 5s in the playoffs. They are 5-2 in their last seven contests when facing elimination from the postseason.
Phoenix has dropped three straight road games in the playoffs.
The last time the Suns lost in round one was when they fell to the Spurs in six games during the 2003 postseason.
The Spurs have won nine straight Games 5s in the postseason. They have also captured eight in a row at home in the playoffs.
San Antonio has advanced to the West semis seven straight years. The last time the Spurs lost in the opening round was in 2000 when they were defeated by Phoenix, 3-1.
There is a lot of playoff history between the teams, as this is the ninth time that the clubs have met in the postseason. The Suns defeated San Antonio in the first round in 1992 and 2000 and in the semis in 1993. The Spurs beat Phoenix in the opening round in 1996, 1998 and 2003 and also in the 2005 Western Conference finals.
Last year, the Suns were eliminated by the Spurs, 4-2, in a very physical and emotional Western Conference semifinals series. The series took an interesting turn in Game 4, which was won by the Suns. Veteran Robert Horry committed a flagrant foul on Steve Nash. Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw left the Phoenix bench briefly, and both were suspended for Game 5. Horry received a two-game suspension for his role in the incident.
San Antonio won Game 5, 88-85, at US Airways Center and eliminated the Suns with a 114-106 victory in Game 6 at the AT&T Center.