the suns starters played their A game. The suns subs played a C game.
But spurs starters played B game and Spurs subs D-
Indeed...but for different reasons IMO. For any team that is starting on the road, getting the split is a pretty big priority. No team wants to go 2-2 playing a best of 3 with 2 games away. It's no different for the Spurs. I think they could win a game 5 or 7 in PHX, but it becomes a much taller task if they have already lost 2 in a row there. Even if the Spurs lose one in SA, it makes going back to PHX much easier to swallow if they have already taken one there.
For the Suns its more mental than anything. Considering their history against the Spurs anything less than a 2-0 lead coming to SA would hard to overcome. I think the Spurs still hold a psycological edge and dropping one of the first two games would begin to plant some seeds of doubt that could hurt them later in the series.
the suns starters played their A game. The suns subs played a C game.
But spurs starters played B game and Spurs subs D-
+1
I hate that sports cliche so much.
It is not a must win, but if we don´t win it, then the next 2 are.
I feel that the importance on winning there, more than the home court advantage, would be the mental impact it would have on them.
I like our chances for game 2 if some other players step up. The Big 3 can repeat what they did, none played off the marks, if only a couple of role players show up i think we can win.
If you consider that:
The Big 3 shoot a combined 28 of 56, for 50% shooting. Quite in their averages. The supporting cast shoot 37% at 10 for 27.
And the Suns 3 best players shoot 32 for 52, almost 62% shooting. Way above their average. Their supporting cast shoot almost as ours 9 for 27.
Given what is more expected, i say we have more chances than them to mantain or improve our production, at least from the key players. That´s why i see game 2 very winnable.
Psychologically, it is.
It is very useful to send the message : "YOU...are in trouble now"
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I don't think the Spurs have the mental toughness to bounce back from a 2 game hole right now. Going down 2-0 would make the rest of the series tough. I'm not saying it wouldn't be possible for the Spurs to still win the series if PHX wins game 2, but very unlikely. The Spurs on paper do not have the most reliable players, and wins are going to be hard to come by from here on out, just like against Dallas. The Spurs are performing at a level much higher than most teams by far given the talent they have...in other words, they are stepping up, lately, whereas other teams are underperforming for what they have on paper. With that said, going down 2-0 against the Suns with game 7 in PHX means the Spurs would have to play out of their minds in order to win the series, the entire team. And I don't know if that would happen if they were in that position, especially given the completely different playing styles the two teams play, the Spurs would have to completely control those games.
Winning 4 out of 5 against a pretty good Phoenix team is going to be tough. I'd say they need to find a way to take game 2.
statistics aside and whatnot, game 2 is a must win - specially since you dont want the series to go 6 or 7 games if at all possible. if you dont rest again and have to play the lakers like it happened after game 7 in new orleans, you are toast.
they need to get this game and the next 3 and close out early
"Must win" is such an overused cliche. The only must win games are elimination games, which Game 2 clearly is not.
With Tim, Manu and Dice playing so many minutes every game is a must win. This team will run out of gas if every series goes 6-7 games. Even with a day of rest between games, this team will wear out.
Awful close
Holding serve at home just to tie it up ain't easy..
Every team's starters are going to play heavy mins in the playoffs. If the Spurs can't hold up after being rested all year then they are done anyway. They can't be thinking "Oh, God, we have to win in 5 or 6", it takes what it takes.
Game 3 will be a must win if they lose.
vs the Mavericks I thought it was very important to split the first two games because home court advantage didn't matter as much, but against the suns I don't think winning in phoenix in the first two games are that important although it would give the spurs a much better chance of winning the series more quickly.
Thats how I feel. I hate the "hold serve" analogy thats overused to death. Its the first to four.
If the Suns, win the Spurs would have to win four of the next five so I think it would be pretty difficult.
But I think Spurs win tomorrow.
a must win?!? not yet even down 0-2 i wouldnt say this spurs team is done but i would like them to win![]()
It's obviously not literally a "must win", but it is something that we really need to do. I think the first 4 games could very easily go 2-2 with both teams winning at home both times.
If spurs go down 0-2 They can still win ...
BUT you guys may need HOF Tim instead of borderline all-star Tim ...
Game 2 is not a must win, but it can lead to must wins.
It's not a must win because they're not facing elimination. However, by winning this game, the Spurs could really take control of the series by seizing the homecourt advantage.
By winning this game, the Spurs would maintain that mental edge and, at the same time, cast more of that familiar doubt in the minds of the Suns.
I felt game 2 in Dallas was much more important than Game 2 in Phoenix. Still, it would be nice.
With each game that passes by you get to know your opponent even more so yes I believe tomorrow is huge game.
If Joey doesn't ref tomorrow, then yes.
We HAVE to win game 2 because if we don't then we're in a deep hole and the Suns will have all the momentum coming into San Antonio for game 3. Reason being is that if the Spurs win game 2 then the series is tied 1-1. The next 2 games are in San Antonio where the Spurs are 3-0 and its very difficult for teams to win there in the playoffs. My prediction is that the Spurs will be up 3-1 going into game 5 where its a 50/50 chance we win. I hope the Spurs can get it over with in 5 games 'cuz the Lakers/Jazz series will probably go 5-6 games.
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