The San Antonio Spurs had a chance to even the series in Game 4 and they took advantage of the opportunity. After leading 24-22 at the end of the first quarter, the Spurs started the second period by going on a 21-6 run. San Antonio never looked back on their way to a 100-80 victory.
The New Orleans Hornets finally showed that they are indeed mortal. After playing great basketball in the first three games, the Hornets struggled in Game 4. New Orleans got outrebounded 45-36 and had 15 less assists (27 to 12). After shooting nearly 50% over the first three games, the Hornets shot 40.2% from the field on this night. Chris Paul was good (23 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals) but nobody else on his team played up to their capabilities.
The Spurs, on the other hand, shot the ball well – hitting 51.3% of their shots from the field. Although they hit only 8-of-26 three-pointers, they hit enough shots early on to soften up the middle for Tim Duncan to operate.
Defensively, the Spurs seem to be getting better and better in this series. They know exactly what the gameplan is on defense and the Spurs are doing a good job for the most part. Truthfully though, the Hornets helped out tonight by missing a good number of open shots.
Overall, this was a very impressive win for the Spurs. San Antonio needed this type of victory not only for their confidence, but to also hopefully make the Hornets start thinking. This series is far from over but the Spurs are suddenly looking okay.
-Welcome back to the playoffs, Tim Duncan. While I’m not a fan of excuses in the playoffs, it’s now obvious that Duncan was sick earlier in the series. The good news is that he looked 100% in Game 4. Duncan finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three assists. His production was close to what I politely asked for prior to the game, however I didn’t expect the Hornets to abandon their early and often double-teams. Without double-teams, Duncan was unstoppable. He made 10-of-13 field goal attempts – and one of those misses was a halfcourt heave. Defensively, Duncan was extremely active and was closing down the paint. Game 4 was obviously Duncan’s best game of the series and hopefully it’s a sign of what we can expect going forward.
-Manu Ginobili played a good game. He didn’t play at a Game 3 level, but then again the Spurs didn’t need it. Ginobili finished with 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds. He did a very good job of creating offense throughout his time on the court – whether by scoring or finding the open man. While he didn’t shoot great (5-for-13) and had four turnovers, he was playing the type of cerebral game the Spurs need out of him. Defensively, Ginobili still can improve a bit but it was his best showing on that end of the court in the series. The Hornets put Peja Stojakovic on him more than usual, which is a matchup that Ginobili must exploit. Honestly, the Hornets have no one who can guard Ginobili when Ginobili is at his best.
-Tony Parker’s numbers weren’t overly impressive but I think this was one of Parker’s best playoff games of his career. He was totally in control offensively and made almost flawless decisions throughout the contest. Parker attacked the Hornets relentlessly but at the same time his playmaking abilities were on full display. Basically, Parker played like a mature point guard who knew exactly what he wanted to do. He finished the game with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds, while shooting 8-for-12 from the field. He also led the Spurs with a plus/minus of +25. Defensively against Paul, Parker defended him about as well as possible, especially if Paul’s repeated push offs won’t be called. Overall, I was just extremely impressed with Parker’s play. The intelligence and maturity he played with were off the charts. Hopefully he can bring this level of play to Game 5.
-Defensively, Bruce Bowen was very good. He got up into Stojakovic and totally took Stojakovic out of his rhythm. Stojakovic had six points on 3-for-9 shooting from the floor. After scoring 47 points in the first two games, Bowen held him to 14 points in the next two contests. Bowen containing Stojakovic is vital for the Spurs to have a chance in this series. Offensively, Bowen wasn’t as productive. He shot only 3-for-9 from the field, including 1-for-7 from three-point land. Bowen will need to shoot much better if the Spurs are going to be able to win a road game. Though if Bowen can outscore Stojakovic, it’s hard to be too disappointed in Bowen’s play.
-The lack of offensive cohesion between Kurt Thomas and the rest of the team was evident tonight. Thomas just doesn’t have the same chemistry offensively that the other players have in this system. The offense stalled with Thomas on the court and luckily Pop recognized that fact and limited Thomas to only eight minutes. Thomas played good defense and pulled down three rebounds in those eight minutes, but he needs to find a way not to be a liability offensively.
-After only playing garbage minutes in Game 3, Pop put Ime Udoka back into the rotation and Udoka responded by playing his best game of the postseason. In 23 minutes, Udoka had 15 points, six rebounds and four steals, while shooting 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. When Udoka is hitting shots, he’s an asset for the Spurs. Defensively, he was outstanding against Bonzi Wells. The 21-6 run in the second quarter started and ended when Udoka entered and exited the game. He was a huge part of this win. Now if he can hit his perimeter jumper, he can continue being a difference-maker.
-Michael Finley struggled a bit early on but eventually turned it around. He finished the game with 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field and 2-for-4 from three-point land. Finley also chipped in three rebounds and three assists in his 23 minutes of action. Defensively, he left a lot to be desired but his D also got better later in the game. Finley’s ability to score off the bench has been huge over the last two games. If Ginobili is going to start, the bench needs to find someone to score – and Finley appears to be the best option right now.
-Fabricio Oberto played a good ballgame. His stats look very pedestrian (four points and zero rebounds in 20 minutes) but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. He was making good passes and setting good screens offensively. Defensively, he still struggled but wasn’t a complete sieve against David West like he was in the first three games. He can play better defense and obviously it’d be nice if he grabbed a rebound but right now the offensive chemistry he has with the rest of the team is invaluable.
-Robert Horry got a couple minutes of first half action and I thought he played well in those minutes. He hit a turnaround jumper, played good defense and then was active on the boards. It was the most agile and powerful Horry looked all playoffs. If he’s called upon again, at least now there’s precedence of him being his old self.
-Brent Barry, Jacque Vaughn and Damon Stoudamire got garbage time at the end of the game. The only notable thing I saw was Barry appeared to have trouble accelerating, which isn’t a good sign for someone coming back from a pair of calf injuries. Hopefully he was just stiff and not limited by injury.
-Pop basically stuck to the Game 3 plan in Game 4 and it worked really well. The Hornets finally missed some shots and that allowed the Spurs to pull away. Pop threw in some new wrinkles like playing Udoka and calling more plays for Ginobili, but overall it was basically the same gameplan.
The outcome of the game was about as perfect as Pop could have drawn it up. The Spurs blew the Hornets out and then Pop was able to rest the starters in the fourth quarter. That fourth quarter rest could prove to be huge in Game 5, especially since there is only one day off between games. I like how Pop put his trust in the bench players early in the fourth even though the Hornets theoretically had time to make a run.
Pop also deserves props for handing over the reins to Parker. In past years, Pop still was the one who ran the show. This year in the playoffs, more than ever, it’s Parker who is in control. This type of performance out of Parker was a direct result of Pop showing confidence in him and giving him the room to grow.
The bottomline is the Spurs are back to where they started the series. It’s now a best of three series with the Hornets having homecourt. Game 5 is extremely important – in fact, I think it’s safe to say that the winner of Game 5 is going to win the series. The Spurs have the momentum and the gameplan to go down to New Orleans and get a victory. Get Game 5.
Believe.
Last edited by timvp; 05-12-2008 at 01:33 AM.
Helped is a strong strong overstatement.Truthfully though, the Hornets helped out tonight by missing a good number of open shots.
The Spurs shut them down. THe missed open looks was a direct result of the good defense in that they are getting rattled.
No question.
He had that nice drive to, which showed he wouldn't necessarily settle for the open 3After only playing garbage minutes in Game 3, Pop put Ime Udoka back into the rotation and Udoka responded by playing his best game of the postseason. In 23 minutes, Udoka had 15 points, six rebounds and four steals, while shooting 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. When Udoka is hitting shots, he’s an asset for the Spurs. Defensively, he was outstanding against Bonzi Wells. The 21-6 run in the second quarter started and ended when Udoka entered and exited the game. He was a huge part of this win. Now if he can hit his perimeter jumper, he can continue being a difference-maker.
Scott blinked first, pop had his starters out to begin the 4th, Gino stayed in a couple minutes extra. That was stupid on Scott's part IMO, cayse why give the old guy rest?I like how Pop put his trust in the bench players early in the fourth even though the Hornets theoretically had time to make a run.
Eh, they missed more open shots than they did the first three games of the series combined. Then again, they were due. Eventually, they had to stop shooting 70-80% on open shots.
3rd "must win" game in a row...
Have to admit tho, these last 2 were a little bit more crucial. We can still win this if we lose in NO in game 5 (history notwithstanding). If we'd lost either of these last 2, it was over.
Still, game 5's being what they are...
Yea, I believe
AMEN!
The SPURS defense was in the house tonight. Please bring it again
for game 5.....and the Hornets are as good as done!!
http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94866
I called that they'd give Duncan room in the first half. I figured Scott would try it at some point and after the way they tore the double teams apart in game 3 today seemed like the best chance.
Thats the good news, the bad is that I doubt Duncan ever sees that kind of space again in this series. I honestly don't know how they plan on stopping Tony Parker coming off those screens but I'd imagine we may see some zone out of the Hornets. The one time tonight they went to it they actually managed to stall the Spurs for a short period of time. If thats the case, They will need to find some mid range game to exploit it unless Parker and Manu are able to get to the bucket against it.
We missed a few gimme's as well. Early on, both Parker and Duncan missed easy ones...not to mention Manu's dunk attempt (if you needed any more proof of Manu's condition, I think that pretty much answered it.)
But, I agree. Those easy early misses from NO really did seem to affect them more.
Peja and MO Pete were the only ones to miss that I know of.
Peja though is so mentally beaten he looks like Roberto Duran out there saying "no mas"
calls went our way tonight too, not that we would have lost otherwise, but it was noticeably unbalanced
West missed contested gimmies. Theres a difference.
Peja though missed his with guys running at him. Again. Defense.
I disagree, it was balanced, but the Hornets got away with alot of moving picks and alot of over the backs on rebounds.
Whatever though.
Yeah, nice call on that Hornets adjustment. SpursTalk on a whole seems to be one step ahead of the coaches in this series. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign for the coaches
It was just a matter of time before the Spurs got the Hornets out of their double-team look. You double-team Duncan hard and fast and the Spurs will eventually adjust.
The Hornets main adjustment in Game 5 will probably just be emotional. They'll be amped up in front of their fans. I also expect them to go back to double-teaming Duncan and hope the players have more energy to swarm in front of their home fans (no put intended). Double-teaming also makes sense for the Hornets because otherwise Chandler will almost positively get in foul trouble.
We'll see though. The ball is in Scott's court now. If I'm him, I probably go back to the original gameplan and hope that the Spurs' shooters aren't hitting on the road.
In other words the Hornets are out of bullets and have to hope throwing the gun at the Spurs works.
Uh, they don't go in anywhere when you're scared less about the other team.
2/4 LJ-Michael Finley struggled a bit early on but eventually turned it around. He finished the game with 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field and 3-for-5 from three-point land.
I noticed that too, did he stretch his calf on saving Vaughn's pass?The only notable thing I saw was Barry appeared to have trouble accelerating, which isn’t a good sign for someone coming back from a pair of calf injuries. Hopefully he was just stiff and not limited by injury
And I remember Manu missed a dunk, an easy basket, just an incident or sth wrong with his calf?
So at 2-2 without homecourt advantage you are already claiming this series is over?
Yeah, that was a stupid pass by Vaughn to Barry. "Here Barry, I'll lead you by 20 feet, hustle up now."
Depends on how the Hornets come out at the start of game 5.
Although the Hornet's body language and their play tonight sure was a sign of a team thats beaten.
The Spurs are just beating the confidence out of them. Period.
If Brent can't manage to chase down passes then he needs to hang it up.
I knew Udoka on Bonzi was a good move. Ime isn't afraid of the contact.
Ime Udoka!
Yeah Ime guarded Bonzi fantastically tonight and that was great to see.
I for one in game 5 would love to see Ime guarding Paul when Tony takes a break.
2005 Sonics. Spurs easily win first two. Lose a close Game 3. Get blown out in Game 4. Win Game 5 and then steal Game 6.
The Hornets are still in the driver's seat. I'll admit I like where the Spurs are but to being dismissing the Hornets right now is premature. They win Game 5 and then the Spurs are suddenly not looking so superior. And that's not too hard to imagine since the Spurs have gotten blown out three straight times in NO.
One thing that was great tonight was the decision making. Virtualy every decision made by Tony and Tim ended up excellently for the Spurs.
Not dismissing them, just stating the obvious and that its a team that has lost a million points of confidence and is really pressing like a mofo right now.
The Sonics though are a million times different animal and they had some tested playoff vets. One of the most tested vets the Hornets have is Melvin Ely.
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