Grades: Spurs vs. Cavs - Apr. 22

[Keepin' it real]

Wouldn't it be something to almost sweep thru every team in the postseason too lol

Moses Malone would call that "Fo, Fo, Fo ... Fo!"

[T Park]

No injuries + limited minutes = great win.

It would be great if Spurs beat Blazers today and clinched the 1st seed before their b2b road trip @PHX and @GS. It would put them in a perfect situation to prepare the playoffs.

Win tonight, don't let the big three on the plane.

Gives them a good at least 4 days of rest minimum.

[smaka]

Thank you @timvp for summing up every game. I read your threads after every game, especially if I can't watch the game. Good job!

[timvp]

Win tonight, don't let the big three on the plane.

Gives them a good at least 4 days of rest minimum.

After the game, TP scoffed at the idea of sitting out the final two games of the season. He said that Pop will play 'em in one of the final two games.

Reading between the lines, it also sounds like either TP or Manu is going to sit tonight . . .

[Blake]

0 points; +17

The Ginger King does it again.

[Seventyniner]

I'd say sit the big 3 at Phoenix, and let them play against Golden State. This assumes a Jazz win tomorrow, knocking the Suns out of the playoffs. The arena in Phoenix has some bad karma anyway.

[romain.star]

The Westerne PO race is too close. Let's wait till the very last game to play (or not) the ''tank a game'' thing.

[GSH]

The Round Mound of Unsound

[Bruno]

Win tonight, don't let the big three on the plane.

Gives them a good at least 4 days of rest minimum.

Pop has managed players' minutes the whole year and has even done it more in April. Spurs aren't in a situation where some players are tired and needs rest for the full week. If Spurs beat Blazers, I wouldn't be against letting some players at home for the last two games but it isn't a necessity.

[Mel_13]

The Westerne PO race is too close. Let's wait till the very last game to play (or not) the ''tank a game'' thing.

If the Spurs win tonight and Utah wins tomorrow, then the games at Phoenix and GS will have zero impact on the conference playoff participants or seeding.

[Bruno]

Speaking of streaking, since the trade deadline, the Spurs are a ridiculous 19-3. No other team has won more than 16 games in that span and no other team has lost fewer than 6. The Spurs are fully 3 games better than anyone else in the league just since March 15.

Since the bench's moral victory in overtime in Dallas on January 29, the Spurs are 35-7. No other team has won more than 31 games in that span (both Miami and Chicago have won 31 and OKC has won 30) and no other team has lost fewer than 11 games.

Shades of 13 years ago.

I would be really prudent after what happened in the previous playoffs but there are some serious reasons to like Spurs chances of winning it all. In addition of being the way hottest team in the league, the playoff bracket should be very friendly for them.

[Mugen]

If the Spurs win tonight and any of the Big 3 play a second @ PHX or @ GSW, then Pop didn't learn from the end of last year.

Under absolutely zero cir stances should he even risk injury in the last two games.

Take care of tonight and keep them out til Satuday.

I hope the same dummies from last year saying it was worth risking injury to get HCA against the Bulls learned their lesson from the Memphis debacle.

Now you have basically the same scenario against the same freaking team (PHX) and Pop wants to tempt fate again? Please God, no.

[Mel_13]

If the Spurs win tonight and any of the Big 3 play a second @ PHX or @ GSW, then Pop didn't learn from the end of last year.

Under absolutely zero cir stances should he even risk injury in the last two games.

Take care of tonight and keep them out til Satuday.

I hope the same dummies from last year saying it was worth risking injury to get HCA against the Bulls learned their lesson from the Memphis debacle.

Now you have basically the same scenario against the same freaking team (PHX) and Pop wants to tempt fate again? Please God, no.

Some folks are playing the rest v. rust card.

[Mugen]

Some folks are playing the rest v. rust card.

Of course they are. But they're going to be playing Utah or Phoenix. The Big 3 could be rusty for an entire half or 3qtrs in Game 1 and still probably sweep or win the series in 5.

I was absolutely against any of the Big 3 playing in LA or PHX last year. Pop got too cute for his own good and ended up ruining the playoff run before it even began.

I can't believe any logical Spur fan would want to tempt fate again after seeing Manu writhing around on the floor with a broken arm last year.

This shouldnt even be a debate, IMO. Rest til Saturday.

[Mel_13]

Of course they are. But they're going to be playing Utah or Phoenix. The Big 3 could be rusty for an entire half or 3qtrs in Game 1 and still probably sweep or win the series in 5.

I was absolutely against any of the Big 3 playing in LA or PHX last year. Pop got too cute for his own good and ended up ruining the playoff run before it even began.

I can't believe any logical Spur fan would want to tempt fate again after seeing Manu writhing around on the floor with a broken arm last year.

This shouldnt even be a debate, IMO. Rest til Saturday.

I agree with you 100% and said so 2 weeks ago.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost...7&postcount=24

[timvp]

I added in Danny Green. Apologies to Danny, his friends, family and any Spurs fans I offended.

[Mugen]

I agree with you 100% and said so 2 weeks ago.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost...7&postcount=24

I say give the fans a shot and throw rascal out there. Though, we'd have to warn PHX and GSW beforehand to the presence of such a lethal weapon on the court. Wouldn't be surprised to see those two teams forfeit rather than risk breaking their elbows on rascal's dome.

[pad300]

After the game, TP scoffed at the idea of sitting out the final two games of the season. He said that Pop will play 'em in one of the final two games.

Reading between the lines, it also sounds like either TP or Manu is going to sit tonight . . .

I'd think about giving Danny Green (63 Games tops on the spurs, 4th in Minutes)) and Kawhi Leonard (62 games, 2nd on the Spurs, 3ed in Minutes) a game off a piece...I think we will need both these guys at full energy come the playoffs, especially because I think they make the shortened rotation.

[rAm]

The Round Mound of Unsound

It defies logic!

[Capt Bringdown]

Oh well, Bonner and Blair will play better in the post season, right?

[Sean Cagney]

Matt Bonner C-
While Matt Bonner was again playing with more than his usual amount of toughness, his misfirings in April continue to be worrisome. He's now 14 for his last 49 from three-point land for an anemic 28.6%. Against Cleveland, Bonner got wide open looks ... he just couldn't hit. Let's hope he heats up before the playoffs begin because Bonner isn't a good enough player to overcome a treasonous shooting touch.



Oh yes, like clockwork!!!!!!!!!!!

[lefty]

Glad to see Captain Jax having a good offensive game

Sure, it was vs the Cavs, but it's still good news

[Josepatches_]

Tiago Splitter B+
I have been underwhelmed by Tiago Splitter's defense recently but I was impressed with what I saw tonight. Not only was he protecting the rim, he wasn't hesitant to switch off onto a perimeter player and defend all the way out to the three-point line. Splitter also hustled back in transition and rebounded with authority. Offensively, it seemed like the only time he received the ball was following pick-and-rolls with Ginobili. Getting Splitter more touches should be a priority for the second unit going into the playoffs since he's so proven to be a potent scoring option.

Agree.



I can't understand why Splitter only plays 20 minutos when Duncan is not in the game.

He should start.

I hope it's only because Pop tries to limit his minutes. But it's not a good sign for him. One thing is that you come off the bench because you have a hall of famer in your position...but when you can't start over Blair,Diaw or Bonner......