First major media "expert" (SI) predicting a sweep?

[Rummpd]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...?sct=nba_wr_a2

his fourth-quarter magic.

No team handled the shortened season better than the Spurs. After receiving an infusion of athleticism and outside shooting, coach Gregg Popovich played Scrooge with minutes, not allowing anyone to play more than 32.8 a game and letting the team's Big Three -- Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker -- skip selected games in order to keep rested. But unlike many veteran contenders, the Spurs didn't suffer a decline in playoff seeding for the gains of better health. In the process, Popovich developed a roster that doesn't have merely one Sixth Man Award candidate, but an entire lineup of them. That depth was on display in a first-round sweep of Utah, as San Antonio's bench often extended leads.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1uxjoAZmx

BOTTOM LINE

The Spurs haven't lost since April 11. They've won the 14 games they've played in that span by an average of 18 points. They're the best-shooting team in the playoffs and have the stingiest field-goal defense.

Paul and Griffin (who is playing through a knee injury) are going to need a lot of help stopping a team as deep, savvy and rested as the Spurs. Of course, they did just take down a Grizzlies team that stunned San Antonio last year in the first round. But these Spurs are different, sleeker, based on an offense that can deliver from any spot on the floor -- quickly. The Clippers did well to win their first playoff series since 2006, but San Antonio is on a roll and has too much firepower. Spurs in four.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1uxjYe4Yf

[Rummpd]

Smart man that predictor for SI [although 5 games might be more realistic] it is rare that in the 2nd round a sweep is predicted!

[jestersmash]

Jon Barry predicted a sweep.

[Spursmania]

Jon Barry predicted a sweep.

That's a first. I'm surprised, Barry has always hated the Spurs.