I know we usually talk adjustments when a team loses a game, but what about analyzing the win? Does anyone have any concerns with what they saw in GM2? See anything you like? Any further adjustments in GM3 needed?
Since I am the eternal optimist, I will start with what I saw different in GM2 v GM1 that I liked:
o Overall offense: I felt the Spurs got much better looks overall. The spacing was much, much better and that alone opened up some spaces in the crowded painted area. Spurs didn't necessarily take advantage (missed a lot of layups, TP/Manu/Mills still couldn't really get to the rim), but it left a lot more room to operate. Reasons?
o Clippers Defense Regressed Some: They didn't appear to be nearly as aggressive as in GM1. They didn't seem to jump PnR's quite as hard or frequently. They weren't scrambling quite as hard.
o Wasn't just the Clips. Spurs seemed to do more side PnR than top of the key PnR. They also were much more crisp in their ball movement. They seemed committed to playing with a quicker pace and better spacing.
o Kawhi not doubled: Spurs got DPOY much better looks tonight - more space. He didn't get going in transistion as much as you would like, but overall, his decision making was better, they got him the ball faster and moved him around from that baseline/corner spot much more.
o Overall defense: Spurs had a defensive game, much like they had an offensive game in GM1. What I mean by that is they played well 80% of the time, really well, but the other 20% was mind-numbingly bad. They had so many frantic plays where they were confused, bunched up and it lead to some serious blunders (CP3 wide open 3's, Jordan alley-oops). You have to like keeping LAC under 100 in regulation, so job well done. Their switching of damn near everything looks chaotic, but seems to be working more often than not. If they can clean up the mental errors that are leading to CP3 getting 6-9 points on wide open looks, they should be very good here.
o From an adjustment perspective: Spurs started out with DPOY on JJ. It was interesting to see which way Pop went here with CP3 torching the Spurs in GM1 and he elected to go TP/DG on CP3 for the most part early it seems.
o The switching wasn't really anything new from GM1: but man it was an adjustment from the regular season defense.
o Spurs seemed to employ an aggressive strategy inside the 3PT line. Things were tight in there and a lot of activity.
Adjustments Going Into GM3: I am nervous. I know we should not have expected the %'s of guys like Green/others on the road to magically change in the playoffs against a legit opponent but damn. Game plan aside, while the Spurs are figuring out the Clips gimmicky hyper-aggressive trapping defense, they are missing a ton of good looks. Will home cure all? I really hope so. Clips offense is so good that you just can't afford to keep missing the great looks. Spurs should get plenty of them (assuming TP/Manu aren't done and can spearhead the offense with ball movement/handling), but you have to start hitting. Spurs also missing a ton of FT's. In a game where they are wrecking LAC at the FT line in terms of attempts (true attempts, not counting the hack-a-Jordan), they aren't getting any seperation from it.
From a defensive perspective, I felt they are playing much better overall. Clips offense is a machine, but outside of Blake/CP, Spurs have handled things well. I would like to limit one of CP/Blake a little more than we are (I think we have the better shot a stopping CP3 a little more due to Danny/Kawhi), but I am pretty good here as long as the Spurs get more comfortable with the switch everything scheme. First two games it's lead to some really, really bad defensive blunders and Clips are punishing us there (unlike the Spurs not punishing the Clips with their blunders).
The only adjustments I would like to see are:
o Play more Danny: Yes, he's struggling in the series with shooting. But so is Beli from 3. Beli is giving supreme effort, but talent wins in the playoffs and Clips offense is too good. Have to have more Danny for more stretches. Let's hope he hits enough 3's so Pop can't take him out.
o Stop Hacking when Spurs have a lead: It hasn't worked well. Leads have evaporated when we have done that and our offense has stalled out so badly. If Spurs are winning, it's for a reason. No need to do that especially when you see foul trouble racking up and the lead shrinking.
o More Kawhi PnR: Kawhi had a lot more breathing room and the results were very good. Put him in a few more PnR and let's see if he can be the one to get all the way to the rim. Worst case, it will spread things out a bit more and stretch their defense. Great way to get him the ball quickly and in a position to handle and trap or double more clearly.
Anyone else have concerns or thoughts going into game 3?

