Spurs vs. Mavs - 2009 First Round Game 1

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

oh, i can definitely see this being a sweep. with pop coaching like this, he's practically guaranteeing it.

Well, I can't. Even when we're down we always take at least one game, except 2001 against the Lakers (the darkest moment in recent Spurs history).

[quickerblade]

is tony injured???????

[lefty]

Go Spurs Go!!!!!
Bwhahahahhahaha!!!!!
I am loving this drama. On a serious note, way to go Mavs! What a huge road win!

I wouldn't brag it if I were you

- Sent from my Iphone

[BWS-1994]

It'll only be better if Pop smartens up.

two things MUST BE DONE GAME TWO.

1. Bench Bonner give him some minutes off the bench, but if he's playing poorly yank him.

2. George Hill at back up PG for defense and tell him to attack on offense. move Mason Jr back to shooting guard full time.

Gotta make those two moves.

More Bowen in the 4th quarter too please...

[Chieflion]

5 of 5 from three. Michael Finley. Finley put in his best game of the entire year and the Spurs still lost.

[duncan228]

Press conferences live on Spurs.com now.

http://www.nba.com/spurs/multimedia/webcast.html

[jiggy_55]

Finley -20 on the night??? Wow.. considering he was 5-5 from downtown!

[alchemist]

JJ's speed is killing the Spurs, they will need to figure out a way to slow him down or he'll end up being the "x-factor" of the series. Dare I say it? Hill on JJ?

Also, I think the 2 offensive fouls took Parker's driving abilities away, so he was less aggressive (No he didn't quit on the team as some have said.)

[VaSpursFan]

5 of 5 from three. Michael Finley. Finley put in his best game of the entire year and the Spurs still lost.

finley got abused by j.howard. so his offense wasn't enough to offset all they points he gave up to howard on the defensive end. it's all about stops in the playoffs not outscoring folks.

[200 miles]

now I'm seeing Batum with a huge dunk in the latter game. What could've been.

[Chieflion]

finley got abused by j.howard. so his offense wasn't enough to offset all they points he gave up to howard on the defensive end. it's all about stops in the playoffs not outscoring folks.

No one was expecting Finley to slow down Howard. All of us knew that. Pop should have switched Bowen onto Howard and Parker on Terry. Then you have Finley guarding Kidd or Terry if Parker takes Barea.

[loveforthegame]

I thought Finley did a decent job on Howard. He kept him in front of him most the time but Howard can just rise above him for the shot.

I was more suprised by how easy Finley was able to get past Howard the few times he drove to the basket.

[Budkin]

The fact is that without Manu our bench just sucks. Especially when Pop gives minutes to Bonner over Hill.

[papashango]

finley got abused by j.howard. so his offense wasn't enough to offset all they points he gave up to howard on the defensive end. it's all about stops in the playoffs not outscoring folks.

He didn't get "abused". He played him pretty aggressive. What he did was allow Josh to have the 3 point shot. I'm not sure if that was in the gameplan or what but it worked in the 1st half. Then Josh started hitting the 3's. But I had no problem with his defense. He even got a strip on Josh trying to drive in on him. Josh isn't a scrub. You aren't going to limit him to 2 points. All you can do is hope he falls in love with his jumper and keeps chucking them up.

[papashango]

I thought Finley did a decent job on Howard. He kept him in front of him most the time but Howard can just rise above him for the shot.

I was more suprised by how easy Finley was able to get past Howard the few times he drove to the basket.

He played aggressive. He left it all out there tonight. I'm glad to see he's ready for the post season.

[Obstructed_View]

Finley's individual defense was very very good. Too bad his team defense sucked ass, and the rotations had many guys out of position.

[peskypesky]

The fact is that without Manu our bench just sucks. Especially when Pop gives minutes to Bonner over Hill.

I think our bench would be okay if it was

PG Hill
SG Finley
SF Udoka
PF Bonner
C Thomas

that's two savvy vets (Finley & Thomas), two energy guys (Hill & Udoka) and two shooters (Finley & Bonner).

they wouldn't be great, but as long as they could hold the lead...

[loveforthegame]

I never thought we'd lose with Dirk, Terry, and Kidd having subpar games.

We got beat by Barea, Bass, and Dampier.

[Spurs Brazil]

I never thought we'd lose with Dirk, Terry, and Kidd having subpar games.

We got beat by Barea, Bass, and Dampier.

And especially Howard

[Ice009]

Man Rockets look awesome.

I know I am not supposed to like them because of the old days and that series did hurt, but I like the make up of this Rockets team with out McGrady. They all seem to be good guys and play hard. Also, I have a soft spot for any team with a gutsy Argentinian player.

[loveforthegame]

And especially Howard

That's at least expected. He goes in the same group as Dirk, Terry, and Kidd in terms of who can hurt us. But at least Finley nearly matched Howard's output.

No one could match Barea, Bass, and Damp though.

[BUMP]

Idiot. There is no scenario, barring major injury, under which the Spurs get swept. Lose the series, yes, get swept, no, not even if your beloved Barea plays like he did tonight every night.

im not the idiot. your fellow fans agree with me.

i said if Barea can somewhat neutralize Parker like he did tonight it will be a sweep. How will it not be? Unless Tim Duncan goes for a superhuman effort every single night. Dont think your "4 rings" and championship experience alone will save you from embarassment. you still have to come to play

[LEONARD]

Two no-names who had career nights..no big deal here...the Spurs lost Game 1 in 2003, 2005, and 2007 and we all saw how those years turned out.

Series' are best of 7.

JJ and Bass didn't have career nights, VAJ...

[HarlemHeat37]

wow, I hope Mavs fans don't actually believe that Barea can play D on Parker like that again..

[angelbelow]

disappointing loss but not the end of the world. lets win the next one and steal one in dallas.