How Important is Game 1?

[BiZNicK]

Different team, and no home-court advantage. How important will game 1 be for the Spurs? Will it foreshadow the outcome of the series as many people said game 1 against the Suns did?

[some_user86]

If we lose, it's not the end of the world. But if we win, we destroy all that confidence they're coming in with.

[SAGambler]

Would love to see the Spurs start off right and win game 1 going away, but I think if we just steal 1 of the 2, the Spurs are right where they want to be.

[xtremesteven33]

a game 1 win would be ideal....

[ancestron]

The winner of game 1 goes on to win the series 83% of the time.

a game 1 victory is imperative.

[midgetonadonkey]

They need to win at least 4 of the 7 games they are going to play. If they can do that I'm confident they will win the series.

[TampaDude]

If the Spurs can steal Game 1 or 2, they will win the series.

[FromWayDowntown]

I honestly think that Game 1 is more important to the Hornets than the Spurs -- and I thought that Game 1 of the first round was more important to the Spurs than to the Suns. If the Spurs get Game 1, all of the pressure in the series shifts to the Hornets. That's only slightly less true if the Spurs lose Game 1 and then get Game 2.

The Spurs go to New Orleans looking to get at least one game. It doesn't really matter to the Spurs whether it's Game 1 or Game 2, but the idea of coming home with a split is the crucial issue.

[honestfool84]

They need to win at least 4 of the 7 games they are going to play. If they can do that I'm confident they will win the series.


i totally agree with you.

i hope pop knows this..

:lol

[Obstructed_View]

The Hornets and their crowd are going to come out like Phoenix did in game four. Unlike in game four, the Spurs need to play well enough to weather that storm until the adrenaline rush fades for the team, and then they need to take control of the game. It will require a 48 minute effort, something they've only done two or three times in the last month, but it's a sure way to get a stranglehold on the series.

[Sausage]

We need to steal HCA from the Hornets. I'd be happy going back to San Antonio with the series 1-1.

[ThomasGranger]

Game 1 is important, but not nearly as important as game 3 will be.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

At least as important as games 2 through 4

[YoMamaIsCallin]

If the home team wins Game 1 they are really in the drivers seat. The stats are that they win the series 86% of the time, better than 6 out of 7 times. Source: http://whowins.com.

If you are the home team and win Game 1, the visitors first almost MUST win game 2. Home teams that go up 2-0 win the series 94% of the time, almost 19 out of 20 times. Even if the visitors win game 2, they also really need to win game 3 at home, because if they go down 2-1, they lose 89% of the time. So, basically, outside of really long odds, a team that loses Game 1 on the road really must win Games 2 and 3 to have a reasonable chance at victory in the series.

On the other hand, visitors who win game 1 win the series 57% of the time. This is a much easier route to victory. And it makes game 2 pretty much a must win for the home team, because visitors who win games 1 and 2 take the series 88% of the time.

[1Parker1]

A split is more important, though stealing Game 1 goes a long way to sneaking doubts into the minds of the Hornets...

[JOE in NO]

The Hornets and their crowd are going to come out like Phoenix did in game four. Unlike in game four, the Spurs need to play well enough to weather that storm until the adrenaline rush fades for the team, and then they need to take control of the game. It will require a 48 minute effort, something they've only done two or three times in the last month, but it's a sure way to get a stranglehold on the series.

The Hornets haven't put together too many 48 minute games themselves in the last month. They had some bad first quarters against the Mavs, being outscored in 3 of the 5 games, so it's not whether or not you can withstand the adrenaline rush but if you get ahead can you keep the lead, something the Chamin-soft Mavs couldn't do.

[Obstructed_View]

The Hornets have been pretty good at generating second half runs in big games. A couple of those came against the Spurs, which is why putting together the complete game is more important. The hardest time to do that is going to be right at the beginning when the crowd is waiting to explode and the team is feeding off that energy. Weathering runs will be important, too. If the Spurs fold up the tents like they have too many times this year, they could be in trouble.

Howevuh, IF the Spurs play for 48 minutes four times in this series, they win. Doesn't matter when they come. There's only one other team in this league that can do that, in my opinion. Atteendodeday, that's all that matters.

[FromWayDowntown]

The Hornets haven't put together too many 48 minute games themselves in the last month. They had some bad first quarters against the Mavs, being outscored in 3 of the 5 games, so it's not whether or not you can withstand the adrenaline rush but if you get ahead can you keep the lead, something the Chamin-soft Mavs couldn't do.

Or both teams can play really bad 1st quarters and let the next 3 quarters decide the games. :)

I don't put a great deal of faith in the Spurs playing great first quarters any more. (though they did get 33 in Game 3 at Phoenix and 30 in Game 5 vs. the Suns).

[Budkin]

It's always big. 83% of game 1 winners go on to win the series.

[Obstructed_View]

Or both teams can play really bad 1st quarters and let the next 3 quarters decide the games. :)

I don't put a great deal of faith in the Spurs playing great first quarters any more. (though they did get 33 in Game 3 at Phoenix and 30 in Game 5 vs. the Suns).

They need to go back and revisit "Appropriate Fear".

[honestfool84]

At least as important as games 2 through 4


game seven will be really important

[kace]

If the home team wins Game 1 they are really in the drivers seat. The stats are that they win the series 86% of the time, better than 6 out of 7 times. Source: http://whowins.com.

If you are the home team and win Game 1, the visitors first almost MUST win game 2. Home teams that go up 2-0 win the series 94% of the time, almost 19 out of 20 times. Even if the visitors win game 2, they also really need to win game 3 at home, because if they go down 2-1, they lose 89% of the time. So, basically, outside of really long odds, a team that loses Game 1 on the road really must win Games 2 and 3 to have a reasonable chance at victory in the series.

On the other hand, visitors who win game 1 win the series 57% of the time. This is a much easier route to victory. And it makes game 2 pretty much a must win for the home team, because visitors who win games 1 and 2 take the series 88% of the time.


stats are not so relevant when teams are so close as it has been the case in the west.

the team who wins G1 wins the serie 83 % of the time.
the visitor team who win G1 wins the serie "only" 57 % of the time.
what does it mean:
1/ home team often wins game 1
2/ home team has still a good chance to win the serie after having lost G1
3/ home team with the HCA often wins the serie

Why ? because home team with the HCA is often better than the opponent, which is not so clear this year in the west

it's why the G1 will be "only" a game in this serie, with two teams supposed so close (even if i still think that the spurs will show their superiority in this serie)

[JOE in NO]

It's always big. 83% of game 1 winners go on to win the series.

Ok, but that stat is a little misleading. The better team usually has homecourt for game one and usually wins; if the hometeam wins game one this number goes up over 90% I believe; also, if the road team wins I believe the number is somewhere around 57%, or only a little better than a tossup.

[JOE in NO]

stats are not so relevant when teams are so close as it has been the case in the west.

the team who wins G1 wins the serie 83 % of the time.
the visitor team who win G1 wins the serie "only" 57 % of the time.
what does it mean:
1/ home team often wins game 1
2/ home team has still a good chance to win the serie after having lost G1
3/ home team with the HCA often wins the serie

Why ? because home team with the HCA is often better than the opponent, which is not so clear this year in the west

it's why the G1 will be "only" a game in this serie, with two teams supposed so close (even if i still think that the spurs will show their superiority in this serie)

Ahhh I was two minutes slow. Well said (except the Spurs on top part)

[honestfool84]

Ok, but that stat is a little misleading. The better team usually has homecourt for game one and usually wins; if the hometeam wins game one this number goes up over 90% I believe; also, if the road team wins I believe the number is somewhere around 57%, or only a little better than a tossup.


spurs have lost more than enough GAME 1s - and look how they turned out

[Kori Ellis]

I don't think they have to win Game 1. But I think they have to get a split and not get crushed in either of the first two games.

[bigfan]

To win one of the first two is very important. To win the first game takes the wind out of the sails of the home team. It sure would be nice if we can win that first one.

[Teal Street]

So if you loose games 1 and games 2 how important is game 3?
insert 4 Championship response here>

[honestfool84]

So if you loose games 1 and games 2 how important is game 3?
insert 4 Championship response here>

:lobt::lobt::lobt::lobt: and :lobt2:



and you would have to be an insane moron to think the spurs will lose two vs the hornets

[Teal Street]

:lobt::lobt::lobt::lobt: and :lobt2:



and you would have to be an insane moron to think the spurs will lose two vs the hornets

:sleep:lmao

insanity is not understanding you do not have home court advantage.

[honestfool84]

:sleep:lmao

insanity is not understanding you do not have home court advantage.



and y'all don't have:
any hardware or any playoff experience past the first round


maybe this is why you think y'all will win - you don't understand HCA doesn't mean jack to the spurs

[Deimosfobos]

Wining game 1 is huge... specially in this series. We have to make a stance and prove them we can take it on their floor.

NO is playing great BBall atm, we need to destroy their confidence.

If we don't win the first game, we still have really good chances if we win game 2, but if we don't win either... I think we are doomed.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

spurs have lost more than enough GAME 1s - and look how they turned out

so I went back over the last 6 seasons to check this out. The Spurs played 18 series and lost game 1 5 times. Of those 5 times, they actually came back to win the next 2 games and the series 4 times. So I guess you are right -- in the recent past, the Spurs have been able to come back from a game 1 loss much more often than teams in general.

[Teal Street]

and y'all don't have:
any hardware or any playoff experience past the first round


maybe this is why you think y'all will win - you don't understand HCA doesn't mean jack to the spurs

And you guys have never made it past the second round the year after receiving such hardware. Expect it.:hat

[honestfool84]

so I went back over the last 6 seasons to check this out. The Spurs played 18 series and lost game 1 5 times. Of those 5 times, they actually came back to win the next 2 games and the series 4 times. So I guess you are right -- in the recent past, the Spurs have been able to come back from a game 1 loss much more often than teams in general.



yes.
except i was too lazy to look that stuff up.



but i did try.

[FromWayDowntown]

:sleep:lmao

insanity is not understanding you do not have home court advantage.

Oh I'd generally agree with this -- and Spurs fans who think that this is going to be some sort of cakewalk or that getting one of the first two is a done deal are delusional.

But I'll also add a fact.

Since 2003, the Spurs have not had home court advantage in only 2 of the 16 series they've played. But they've won both of those series. They're 12-2 in series in which they have had HCA and 2-0 in series in which they have not had HCA. It's not a huge sample, mostly because the Spurs have been so good of late that they've rarely faced a series without HCA, but it does suggest that in those rare circumstances when it's come up (both times against the Suns) the Spurs have been able to take care of their business and get early wins to steal back HCA.

[Scola Trade]

Game 1 is important not for our team itself, but to kill the Hornets confidence.

[honestfool84]

i still think game seven is the most important game

[FromWayDowntown]

n/m

[JamStone]

Not as important as the game that gives either team 4 wins in the series.

[honestfool84]

And you guys have never made it past the second round the year after receiving such hardware. Expect it.:hat



y'all have NEVER made it out of the second round. no ifs, ands, or buts.

[BiZNicK]

i still think game seven is the most important game


I doubt the Hornets are THAT good.....:fishing

[honestfool84]

I doubt the Hornets are THAT good.....:fishing

as the spurs drive for five, they will obliterate their opponents in five games.

[BiZNicK]

as the spurs drive for five, they will obliterate their opponents in five games.

That's more like it. :toast
lol

[Deuces88]

Spurs are gonna win game 1, sending a message. That message will say:

"We ain't f*ckin Dallas"

Spurs will win game 2 which sends a second message which will say:

"There is a reason we're the god damn champions"

Game 3 and 4 are up in the air. If Spurs want to finish it, they will.

[Avitus1]

I think game 1 sets the tone for the entire series, however if Spurs dont win its not the end of the world. I do think they need to win one of the first 2 NO games.

[michaelwcho]

Ok, but that stat is a little misleading. The better team usually has homecourt for game one and usually wins; if the hometeam wins game one this number goes up over 90% I believe; also, if the road team wins I believe the number is somewhere around 57%, or only a little better than a tossup.

I wonder if they have that stat broken down by record differential. For example:

If the home team wins 20 more games than the visitor, and wins game 1:
99%

If the home team wins 10 more games than the visitor, and wins game 1:
90%

etc...

That would be very illuminating.

[DieMrBond]

If the Hornets win game 1, their heads will get even bigger. Thats a bad thing, giving more confidence to that group.

However, the Spurs don't need it to win the series.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

I think if the spurs win game 1 they will end up sweeping them.

[m33p0]

winning game 1 on the hornets' own floor will be likened to a heavyweight boxer sending a haymaker squarely on the jaw of the opponent. put them on their heels early and keep up the pressure. spurs did the same last year when duncan stole HCA advantage from the suns on game 1. hopefully, no blood this time.

[Johnny RIngo]

I think if the spurs win game 1 they will end up sweeping them.

Doubt it. Spurs needed five games to eliminate the Suns and the Hornets are a much better team.

[stepmonkey]

I honestly think that Game 1 is more important to the Hornets than the Spurs -- and I thought that Game 1 of the first round was more important to the Spurs than to the Suns. If the Spurs get Game 1, all of the pressure in the series shifts to the Hornets. That's only slightly less true if the Spurs lose Game 1 and then get Game 2.

The Spurs go to New Orleans looking to get at least one game. It doesn't really matter to the Spurs whether it's Game 1 or Game 2, but the idea of coming home with a split is the crucial issue.


+1

[Teal Street]

y'all have NEVER made it out of the second round. no ifs, ands, or buts.

Well unlike your Spurs this version of the Hornets started 3 years ago. Really the house cleaning started before that because we were the oldest team in the NBA . This team cut Mashburn, traded Baron Davis, P.J. Brown, David Wesley, Jamal Maglore etc. etc. drafted themselves a young point guard in Chris Paul and filled in the team with talented Young players Like Tyson Chandler. Since we have only had this present team together for 3 years (two of which were not even played in New Orleans) They get a pass on what has not been reached. Until now. Your run has been great and your team will go down in history for its great achievements but it will happen sooner or later. Tim Duncan speaks of the importance of experience but fails to mention his age at the first trophy when he was a wide eyed young whipper snapper.

[kace]

Oh I'd generally agree with this -- and Spurs fans who think that this is going to be some sort of cakewalk or that getting one of the first two is a done deal are delusional.

But I'll also add a fact.

Since 2003, the Spurs have not had home court advantage in only 2 of the 16 series they've played. But they've won both of those series. They're 12-2 in series in which they have had HCA and 2-0 in series in which they have not had HCA. It's not a huge sample, mostly because the Spurs have been so good of late that they've rarely faced a series without HCA, but it does suggest that in those rare circumstances when it's come up (both times against the Suns) the Spurs have been able to take care of their business and get early wins to steal back HCA.


yes. and above all, HCA is only really useful if you get to the 7th game. How many times did the spurs need 7 games to close out a serie ? hell, and we've even won and lose some game 7 with HCA.

not saying it will be easy against the Hornets, but don't pay to much attention to the HCA.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Really the house cleaning started before that because we were the oldest team in the NBA.

Well your home site, hornetsreport.com, frickin banned me for pointing out homer behavior -- i.e. the really annoying, boring practice of claiming that the refs are unfair to "your" team and favor the other team. and that it's really, really important to make signs and yell at the refs to remind them to stop this unfair behavior. sheesh.

So I will continue to point out homeristic behavior here.

Referring to a team as "we" is absolutely the worst form of homerism. It borders on insanity to think that you are actually a part of the team you are a fan of. It indicates that you cannot separate yourself from "your" team, and therefore your views will always be colored by deluded homeristic bias -- when in reality there is no part of the Hornets that gives even a tiny little crap about you.

[Manufan909]

Chill, dude. Alot of fans use we when talking about their fav team. It's a subconscious thing which just shows that said fan feels he/she has a strong connection with the team, almost like family. I know the athletes for the most part don't really care, but some recognize the importance of fans, even if it's only the fact that they need us. But some(Bowen, Manu), really do care, or at the very least put on a good show.

[Teal Street]

Whatever dude. This site is full of homers so you should be used to it. Regardless I bet you didnt take time to read the TOS did you? Its different for different boards. I'm not going to post things on Saintsreport.com that I post on http://bbs.buccaneers.com for example. You must learn to morph young grasshopper.


Well your home site, hornetsreport.com, frickin banned me for pointing out homer behavior -- i.e. the really annoying, boring practice of claiming that the refs are unfair to "your" team and favor the other team. and that it's really, really important to make signs and yell at the refs to remind them to stop this unfair behavior. sheesh.

So I will continue to point out homeristic behavior here.

Referring to a team as "we" is absolutely the worst form of homerism. It borders on insanity to think that you are actually a part of the team you are a fan of. It indicates that you cannot separate yourself from "your" team, and therefore your views will always be colored by deluded homeristic bias -- when in reality there is no part of the Hornets that gives even a tiny little crap about you.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

if the Spurs want to win the series they must win Gm1


it's that important

[SAGambler]

Different team, and no home-court advantage. How important will game 1 be for the Spurs? Will it foreshadow the outcome of the series as many people said game 1 against the Suns did?

It isn't imperative that the Spurs win game 1. However, if they did, it would damage the physci of the Hornets. They would immediately lose HCA and in doing so would have to start paying attention to all the analysts that say they can't beat the Spurs. Right now they are on an emotional roller coaster. A game 1 win and especially if it could be by 20, could send the young Hornets right over the edge.

[hater]

very important to steal game 1 or 2. to make it a short series.

if we don't its gonna be 6 or 7 game series with possibility of losing.

[Galileo]

game one is critical, because the team that wins game one, wins 5/7th of the time in a seven game series.

[Allanon]

Game 1 or game 2 is critical, obviously.

I think the Hornets have the power to win 1 game in SA so the Spurs must win one of the first two in NO or this thing might be over in 5.

All fans have to get over the homerism of "The refs", the refs have nothing to do with it. If the game is that close that the refs "decide the game" then you don't deserve to win. The refs aren't perfect but it balances out. Every team gets screwed on a few calls.

One of the worst is counting the fouls given out to each team. The aggressive team that drives to the basket will get the foul calls. If you're out there shooting J's, you won't get many calls. If you're just standing there letting the other team give you the business, you won't get calls.

[word]

I was MUCH more concerned about game 1 -vs- the Suns than I am with the Hornets. I wouldn't even lose hope if we lost BOTH even though I don't think we will. Dropping two against an LA or Phoenix ....bad....I won't even feel that terrible if we dropped the first two in Utah if it came down to another Utah series. Spurs can steal a game in Utah. Utah can't BUY a game here.

Bottom line, this series doesn't worry me nearly as much as the Suns series. The only two series in the West that gave me 'cause for concern' was/is Phoenix and LA.

[rAm]

Is it just me or do all of the new Hornet's fans have a weird tone to them?

[Teal Street]

I was MUCH more concerned about game 1 -vs- the Suns than I am with the Hornets. I wouldn't even lose hope if we lost BOTH even though I don't think we will. Dropping two against an LA or Phoenix ....bad....I won't even feel that terrible if we dropped the first two in Utah if it came down to another Utah series. Spurs can steal a game in Utah. Utah can't BUY a game here.

Bottom line, this series doesn't worry me nearly as much as the Suns series. The only two series in the West that gave me 'cause for concern' was/is Phoenix and LA.

The Spurs had a chance to take a tie breaker from the hornets a few weeks back and could have position themselves to win the division if they could have beaten the Hornets in the hive. Dont try to convince me now that the Spurs didn't think wining the division was important or that HCA was not important especially in a year like this one where the teams in the West were more evenly matched. The Spurs tried to win in the hive but failed by 20+ points. Perhaps what the Spurs took from that game will help them by not under estimating the Hornets in the playoffs (We shall see) At the same time though, don't be surprised that the Hornets and the Hornet fans are confident. Not disrespectful mind you, but confident in themselves and their ability to match up on the Spurs.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Whatever dude. This site is full of homers so you should be used to it. Regardless I bet you didnt take time to read the TOS did you? Its different for different boards. I'm not going to post things on Saintsreport.com that I post on http://bbs.buccaneers.com for example. You must learn to morph young grasshopper.

yes I read the TOS here's what it says:



By becoming a member of this site, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are knowingly false and/or defamatory, deceptive, inaccurate, racist, insulting, abusive, inflammatory, vulgar, sexually-orientated, obscene, profane, hateful, threatening, harassing, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any laws, including stalking.


I posted nothing that came close to violating any of these terms. I was banned with no warning and no explanation. All I did was point out that people who believe the refs are in a conspiracy against their team are homers. And that those homer discussions are boring, and I hoped that the board wasn't that annoying that they would enourage those sorts of discussions.

Your board is stupid and closeminded.

Here's another thing it says on the FAQ page:



Wow, this site seems strict, is it run by Iron Fisted Fascists
The answer to that question is no, of course not.

While the Admins may be coullions and no one's exactly sure what say-what is up to all the time, we’re quite certain that they are not Iron Fisted Fascists.

At Hr.com we really do want everyone to have fun interacting with fellow board members, and experiencing the camaraderie that has developed amongst the board members. Part of what makes this board special is the ability of our members to engage in some good-natured ribbing and light-hearted discussions without taking things to the extreme. Not every thread or post is expected to be a serious, in-depth analysis of the issue at hand.

So relax, kick back and have some fun. Welcome to our happy little corner of the internet.


I call complete bullshit. My experience and others proves that is is in fact run by iron fisted fascists who simply ban anyone who points out homeristic, lame behavior.

I have done the same thing many times here and have never come close to being banned.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

At the same time though, don't be surprised that the Hornets and the Hornet fans are confident. Not disrespectful mind you, but confident in themselves and their ability to match up on the Spurs.

So a thread on your hornetsreport.com board that calls for everyone to make signs saying the Spurs are cheaters is "not disrepectful"? How is that?

And banning someone who simply points out that this is homeristic behavior is "not disrespectful" ?? How is that?

Your compatriots are mindless fanbots.

[jones]

The Spurs had a chance to take a tie breaker from the hornets a few weeks back and could have position themselves to win the division if they could have beaten the Hornets in the hive. Dont try to convince me now that the Spurs didn't think wining the division was important or that HCA was not important especially in a year like this one where the teams in the West were more evenly matched. The Spurs tried to win in the hive but failed by 20+ points. Perhaps what the Spurs took from that game will help them by not under estimating the Hornets in the playoffs (We shall see) At the same time though, don't be surprised that the Hornets and the Hornet fans are confident. Not disrespectful mind you, but confident in themselves and their ability to match up on the Spurs.

I believe that game was the 3rd game in 4 days after a phoenix & denver game. The Spurs are never at their best with hardly any rest but this is the playoffs were they will have at the very least a day between games.

[Teal Street]

That is not directed at a poster on the forum which makes it in the TOS. However if you direct something like that at a poster on the forum it does go against the TOS. You tread a fine line being from an opponents board anyway so they watch you very carefully waiting for that first slip up. Take it from someone who has learned the hard way from being banned off of many boards. There are more subtle ways of inflicting damage if that is your goal.

[NoMoneyDown]

So a thread on your hornetsreport.com board that calls for everyone to make signs saying the Spurs are cheaters is "not disrepectful"? How is that?

And banning someone who simply points out that this is homeristic behavior is "not disrespectful" ?? How is that?

Your compatriots are mindless fanbots.

I saw that, too, and figured if the Admins there let that go through then they are a bunch of hypocrites for not practicing what they preach.

[Teal Street]

I believe that game was the 3rd game in 4 days after a phoenix & denver game. The Spurs are never at their best with hardly any rest but this is the playoffs were they will have at the very least a day between games.

Age can do that sort of thing. They will be physically tested in this series for sure so we will see. Its getting so close now I am really getting tired of talking about it. I am ready for some ball now! Why couldnt it have been a friday night game?

[dbreiden83080]

IT's massively important for the Hornets to win game 1. They need to get off on the right foot against the champs. Spurs just need 1 here and they head home right where they want to be.

[honestfool84]

the nba should just hand the spurs their trophy again, and fill in the details (playoff bracket) later.

[m33p0]

1. pivotal game 5
2. close out game
3. game 1

[Brutalis]

We should avoid a blowout and just hang around and play hard, we'll get one of two in this go. The darlings will get some calls.

[td4mvp21]

A split (either Game 1 or 2) will be fine for the Spurs. Ideally, I'd rather them win Game 1; I think it would put them at a better advantage to win both home games. I can't see them beating the Hornets three times in a row, so if they lost Game 1 and won Game 2 I think it would be rather difficult for them to win both home games. Then again, I thought they couldn't beat Phoenix 3 times in a row so who knows?

[Lakers_55]

From a neutral point of view, every game is important. play each one like it was the first or last. I expect home court edge to get stolen at least once in this series. The disadvantage of opening the series is you risk it first.

It has the potential to be a heart-stopping 6 or 7 game series!