J.T.
05-23-2008, 11:39 PM
Going through some stats of this series and the two previous ones, I noticed something interesting. Prior to Game 2 of this series, the Spurs won every game in which they hold the opponent under 40% from 3-point land. Tonight's game is somewhat of an anomaly because the Spurs conceded the game early in the fourth quarter, and LA played the rest of the game like it was the All-Star Game, throwing up lobs and chucking threes. When the game was close, the Spurs were defending the three point line extremely well. At the 37-all tie, the Lakers were 1-6 from the arc. LA finished the night at 5-19 on 27% shooting.
Against the Suns, in the four wins, the Spurs held the Suns to 5-16, 4-13, 2-6, and 5-19 for an average of 29%. In the one loss to Phoenix, the Suns shot 9-20 at 45%.
The three pointer numbers against the Hornets are even more staggering. In the three losses to New Orleans, the Spurs allowed totals of 4-10, 10-17 and 8-15 for an average of roughly 50%. In the four victories, they held the Hornets to 2-11, 5-15, 2-9 and 4-17 for an average of 24%.
In Game 1 against the Lakers, they allowed 4-10 on three point shots for 40%. Two of those came in the Lakers third quarter run that cut the lead to seven before the fourth quarter. The other two were in the first quarter, but Bryant and Vujacic hit three pointers on almost back to back possessions in the third quarter and that undoubtedly was gave the Lakers quick, easy points that enabled them to go on that run to win the game.
There are a number of things the Spurs need to do to get back in this series, but on defense, history proves that in this playoffs, the Spurs are 8-1 when holding the opposition under 40% from the arc.
Against the Suns, in the four wins, the Spurs held the Suns to 5-16, 4-13, 2-6, and 5-19 for an average of 29%. In the one loss to Phoenix, the Suns shot 9-20 at 45%.
The three pointer numbers against the Hornets are even more staggering. In the three losses to New Orleans, the Spurs allowed totals of 4-10, 10-17 and 8-15 for an average of roughly 50%. In the four victories, they held the Hornets to 2-11, 5-15, 2-9 and 4-17 for an average of 24%.
In Game 1 against the Lakers, they allowed 4-10 on three point shots for 40%. Two of those came in the Lakers third quarter run that cut the lead to seven before the fourth quarter. The other two were in the first quarter, but Bryant and Vujacic hit three pointers on almost back to back possessions in the third quarter and that undoubtedly was gave the Lakers quick, easy points that enabled them to go on that run to win the game.
There are a number of things the Spurs need to do to get back in this series, but on defense, history proves that in this playoffs, the Spurs are 8-1 when holding the opposition under 40% from the arc.