What is Your Confidence Level Heading into Game 5?

[timvp]

Part of me feels good about the Spurs chances. They got extra rest, they have all the possible energy/motivational/emotional factors (last home game of the season, coming off frustrating loss, etc.), the Heat played damn near perfect last game yet the Spurs hung around, Parker should be healthier, Ginobili should be more aggressive, the Spurs will be better prepared for the Heat, and I'm confident Duncan will do all he can to seize the moment.

But another part of me fears the worst. Wade may have taken it off cruise control and will go all out for the rest of the series, Parker is unlikely to be 100% and will probably wear down in the second half, Ginobili seems to be a mess mentally, getting the ball to Duncan when the Heat are trapping the ballhandler and fronting the post is damn difficult, the shooters will cool off eventually, and it's looking more and more like that Game 1 turnover total was a massive fluke.

I'm confused. This series changes from quarter to quarter so I don't know what to expect. I'm hoping for the best obviously but no outcome will surprise me -- from a blowout Spurs win to a blowout Heat win or anything in between.

That said, the heart this team has shown during this playoff run can't be ignored. There have been more talented Spurs teams in years gone by but I'm not sure if there has been one that is this courageous, this resolute or this hungry. That will serve them well tonight.

Believe.

1.

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

As for my confidence level, not very confident, but not worried either.

Though for me personally, I'm surprised at how relaxed I am. I thought about it, and I'm proud of this team regardless of what happens in the next 2 or 3 games. When you think about it, this team has no right to even win 2 games against the bought dyasty. SA is a team who still does these right in a league full of teams that do things wrong. It's great to see SA build a team out of loyalty and trust, rather than ring chasers and drama queens. The fact is, this team has already done great this year given the players they have. I'm proud of this team. They've proved that they aren't regular season garbage, and I can't wait to see Kawhi Leonard lead this team to a championship.

Now, me saying that isn't me giving up, I still think the Spurs will win this championship and I'd love it! Just understanding that losing wouldn't be horrible for this team, though seeing Miami win another championship kills me. I've never hated a team more than this team.

[silverblackfan]

About 70% and I am a homer. I just would like to see the big 3 all play well for one game, preferably tonight.

[Horry Hipcheck]

They've traded blows so far, each coach has made adjustments to the previous game. I don't think Games 1 and 3 were flukes. A lot has to go right for the Spurs to win two of the next three, but they've come this far on heart and willpower and playing their style. I think Game 5 will be close, and I believe that the winner of Game 5 wins the series.

Stats don't mean anything from one game to another, but all series we've been reminded that every Heat loss has been followed by a Heat win. I'd like to point out that the Spurs haven't lost back to back games with the Big 3 in the lineup since, what, December?

All they can do is go out and play their game, limit turnovers, keep Parker from tiring out early, and force Wade and Lebron to be jump shooters again.

[TrainOfThought5]

I'm not very confident... but i AM at peace.

win or lose, its been a good season.

[Texas_Ranger]

I really don't know. One side of me thinks we'll win, and another thinks we'll lose. I guess I am 55/45 on favor of Miami winning cause Manu sucks...

[BillMc]

I'm nervous as , but I think they'll pull it out.

[ElNono]

I'm confident we can compete with this team. I don't feel like they've figured something out to lock us down (ie: OKC last season). Other than Game 2, we competed.

I'll probably be mad if we lose, it's only natural, tbh... but I'll be allright if we put a solid fight.

What I'm sure of is that a win tonight would not only be major, it would put major pressure on Miami and that would be an incredible position to be in.

[Robz4000]

I feel pretty good as well. Lets face it, if Wade really does have another gear he can turn to, the Spurs are ed unless they play near perfect. Luckily I don't see him showing it tonight. I wanna see the Big 3 all show up tonight and close the AT&T Center with style.

[gameFACE]

I'm 90% sure that the Spurs come away with the W. Either team is capable of pulling something crazy. The '99, '03 and definitely '05 Game 5's were all suspenseful. Today will be no different. No blow-out wins. Miami is tough. But in the end it's a game for Tim, Tony and Manu. I mentioned in the game thread that all greats play through injury, illness fatigue, whatever.

Take care of the ball. No turnovers! Play defense. And be prepared for the element of surprise...........

[JRHernandez88]

50-50.




It's going to game 7 regardless...

[CitizenDwayne]

I'm feeling irrationally confident about this one, more because of the Heat's seeming inability to control things for an extended period than because of the Spurs themselves.

I put pretty big money on this one, so let's hope I'm right.

[spurraider21]

their big 3 all played near their full potentials last game and were it not for plenty of unforced turnovers it would have gone to the wire. i trust Pop with 2 days of adjustments tbh

[Fpoonsie]

I honestly have no ing idea anymore. It's exhausting trying to get a mental read on this team.

[StoneBuddha]

I'm a half empty guy and am bracing for the worst.

I want this so bad for this team and what it would
mean for their legacy and what is says about their heart,
teamwork, and perseverance that the "half empty" approach is
the only way I could deal with the disappointment if they lose.

Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

[Strategic]

Well, it's pretty much the first must win game this year for the good guys. TD=80 %, TP=85%, MG=65%, KL=75%, TS= 65%, DG=75%, GN=65%, BD=55%, CJ=70%, MB=70%, These are based on if they play they will bring at least their B game.

[justinandimcool]

Confident that this team has a great chance to win, but I have every bit of reason to be just as confident in the Heat as well. It's as 50/50 as it gets for me.

[LakerHater]

Im 50-50 but in nervous!!

I cant even eat & theres a load of food!

[tlongII]

I'm extremely confident there will be a game 6.

[TheGreatYacht]

I am nervous as . I just want the game to start already so that I can get over this nervous anxiety feeling that I've had for these past two days. Game 5 is a MUST win. I know that every playoff game is a must win or important but the Spurs DO NOT want to go down 3-2 heading into Miami. It's win or go home. I hope the crowd cheers very loud this time. We have the quietest crowd in the NBA. I wish we can do Black Out night again.

[Two10Whitey]

The anticipation sucks. Of course game 4 was worrisome, but it isn't over. 50/50. Go Spurs!

[ohmwrecker]

I am pretty confident. There are so many variables involved with this game though. I think they need enough of a momentum shifting win to carry into a game 6. A potential game 7 in Miami is worrisome. It would be more disappointing to get that far and lose.

[MeloHype]

I'm a homer so my confidence level is maxed out as usual. I felt worse after game 2 tbh

[Spursfanfromafar]

1) I don't think the Spurs are getting beat systemically. Their offensive system is per se good. What is hurting them is inconsistent execution because of Parker's injury and Ginobili's game by game inconsistency (folks forget that he had a great Game 3). I think Ginobili could bounce back and Parker will be adequate to run the system despite the injury scare.

2) Pop will be better prepared to take on the Heat's small lineup after Game 4. Splitter was right when he mentioned that they were somewhat unprepared for the small lineup. That automatically means that the Spurs will have better ways of counter-acting against Wade this game than Game 4. If they continue to dare Wade & Lebron to take jumpers, I do think that the Heat will fail more than succeed.. atleast apropos Wade.

3) Its a do or die situation in a home game. Spurs will be more motivated.

I predict a close Spurs win therefore.

[SpurSwag]

As everyone else has said, it's been a pleasure to watch this team all year and they've already exceeded my expectations. With that said, I'm extremely confident, mostly because I think Tim is going to give it his all and I think we might get manus best game of the playoffs tonight.