Game 3 Expectations ?

[Mavs<Spurs]

I didn't see a thread devoted to this topic, per se.

I think that a lot of Spurs fans aren't quite sure what to expect for game 3.
I know that I am not.


The Spurs are clearly the much better team.
These Cavs aren't as good as the Pistons of 05 (which almost won 3 straight at home and did win game 6 on the road (ie at our home))and we are better than the Mavs of 06 which lost 4 straight.
The Cavs are a much better team at home.
The Cavs did make a great run at us in the fourth.
We were blowing them out, which could lead to our overconfidence and their motivation.


If we win in Cleveland in game 3, I expect it to be close.
I am beginning to expect a win by Cleveland by around 9 points, which will cause the media to say that it is anybody's series to win. If we do lose game 3, I believe that we bounce back and take games 4 and 5.

Kori, what do you expect? Do you see overconfidence as a problem or did their run at us in the fourth fix that?

Who expects a win in game 3?

[Darkwaters]

I expect us to lose game 3 (our sole loss) because I think a combination of the home crowd and emotion carries the Cavs to a win. That being said, if the Spurs win the game (even if only by one point) then they will sweep the series.

[CosmicCowboy]

I think the Spurs are gonna come out strong and try to put them away early. This team has the killer instinct. If the refs keep letting them play and keep the calls they do make even Spurs will be on cruise control by the start of the 4th.

[TampaDude]

Same as Games 1 and 2...Spurs take a big lead and then coast to an 8-12 point win.

Oh, wait...that's Game 4...Cavs will win Game 3.

[greens]

Listening to Pop, Tony, and Manu's post game comments after the second win, I don't think at all they will be overconfident. The whole team realizes that they almost let their huge lead completely slip away...So I'm sure they'll go to game 3 with a ton of intensity. Plus they all also talked about the 05 finals, how in Manu's words, they got "embarrassed" in games 3 and 4 after their wins during that time. So it's pretty fresh in the minds. Not to mention that they also talked about the Cavs just recently beating Detroit even though they also lost the first two.

Even Fin mentioned that last year's final, the Mavs got a bit too confident/relaxed after their wins vs Miami...and looked what had happened.

So I'm sure the mentality of the team is right there, they know they cannot let anything slip away. They cannot get too relaxed or overconfident. If anything, that little run in the 4th quarter reminded them that anything can happen. Plus I'm sure Pop showed them all their mistakes during film session.

One thing for sure is the Spurs will come out with a ton of intensity. I think it will be a close game just because the Cavs will be at home, with their crowd being loud. So both teams will play with a lot of fire. However, I think the Spurs can pull out a win in Game 3, even by a few points, such as 5 points...So I'm hoping I'm right about that. But then anything can happen.

If not, then I would be hoping for a Game 4 win...cuz if it will be tied, then Game 5 will be too difficult to play in Cleveland.

So let's hope that the Spurs can get a Game 3 win...if not, then at least Game 4.

[Magic_Johnson]

i think it will be an ugly game like game 5 vs phoenix
the spurs will play awful and win