FSR's Greg Moore On Tonight's Games…

[nbascribe]

FSR’s Greg Moore On Things To Look For In Tonight’s Games On TNT

SAN ANTONIO -- Tonight’s games between Detroit/Cleveland and San Antonio/Dallas have some interesting story lines. Below are some points to look for in the match ups that could prove helpful in your analysis while on the air.

DETROIT HAS HISTORY OF WINNING AFTER A LOSS

Detroit’s series with the Cleveland Cavaliers is very similar to how they won their opening round series. Against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pistons loss in game three in Milwaukee 124-109. In that loss, the Bucks were able to shoot at will for the most part and Pistons simply did not play the stellar defense that they were capable of. That is the same scenario that is currently in this series with the Cavaliers. As with many of the playoff scenarios, the more experienced team will make the adjustment necessary after a loss and win the next game. For the Pistons, that has been winning the game on their opponent’s floor and holding them to just an opening win.

In tonight’s game, look for the following that will close this series out: 1) Rip Hamilton will get weakside help in funneling LeBron James to the defensive epicenter of Ben and Rasheed Wallace; 2) the Pistons will close out on the perimeter shooters. Eric Snow, James and Hughes will find shots tougher to get and the Pistons will play the passing lanes; and 3) the Pistons’ offense will be up to its usual standard and will shoot in the high 40s to low 50s percentage wise while their defense will hold the Cavs to 41% or lower.

Can the Cavaliers win tonight’s game? No. The Pistons simply are too experienced and talented, playoff wise, for this young team. The Cavs will not get blown out of their own building but they will lose by double digits

SPURS CAN WIN SERIES BASED UPON ONE POINT LOSS

If you think the Dallas Mavericks are the world beaters and can defeat the Spurs, think again. Last Saturday’s game exposed the Mavericks big time. The Mavs were up by thirteen and lost that lead by a Spurs team that wasn’t even clicking on all cylinders. 104-103 isn’t some testimony to your defense; it’s a testimony of getting lucky a the right time. The Sacramento Kings found out what happens when the Spurs buckle down and shut off the free flowing points to the basket and that young team won two games, including one on their own floor. The Mavericks, even though they have better defense, are not experienced enough to handle a team that makes adjustments on the fly.

So here’s the keys to tonight’s game and why the Spurs will win tonight’s ball game:

• The parade to the free throw line will not happen tonight for the Mavs. Much of their points from the charity stripe came when the Spurs were in the penalty. That means that the Spurs were not playing smart basketball at crucial times during this contest. Keep in mind, the Spurs went to the line thirty-two times and only loss by one point.

• Second chance points were a big time killer for the Spurs and in order to combat that, Gregg Popovich may insert Nazr Muhammad and Rasho Nesterovic into the game at an earlier time in the contest. What the Spurs will definitely push Dallas’ penetration to Duncan and his help on the baseline. The key to Dallas’ success in the paint was their penetration; not their outside shooting.

• Spurs will employ better pick and roll schemes on the weak side of the ball. The key for the Spurs is to attack the weakside defense of the Mavericks. On the weakside they put Diop or Dampier and that is where the Spurs need to attack. Forcing Adrian Griffin and the two bigs into foul trouble will put Dallas into the penalty; something that is their Achille’s Heel against really good, defensive teams.

• Spurs need to have the ball in Parker’s hands during the last seconds of every quarter. As good as Manu Ginobili is, this is the second series where he has been strippted and either caused a turnover or that turnover cost them the game. The last time it happened was against Sacramento. Parker needs to be part of the focal point during the last waning seconds of every quarter if the Spurs have possession. Because he has been clutch, the Mavs will come out and front him thus leaving players like Ginobili, Brent Barry, Michael Finley and other sharp shooters free to pop the three or step in and take the long two. The pick and roll on the strong side will open up as well because Parker will be able to penetrate.

These four keys were the summation of why the Spurs lost game three and is the foundation of why they won 63 games and three championships in seven years. The Spurs simply have to play to their strengths and limit the free lancing that many may want to do in this game. Coupled with the playoff experience of the coaching staff and veteran players, the Spurs should be able to bounce back and win tonight’s game by high single digits and possibly by double digits if their defense is really stifling.

REFEREES WILL CALL A TIGHT GAME

On both games, the referees will be calling this game closer to the rule book. Expect to see traveling and more scrutiny on the block/charge call. If the previous refs did their job in submitting their reports from Friday and Saturday, tonight’s refs will make sure that only those calls that are very glaring will be called and they will definitely make sure that more balanced calling and a good game flow will take place for the teams involved.

Greg Moore is Fox Sports Radio's NBA analyst and covers the San Antonio Spurs.

[ducks]

Spurs need to have the ball in Parker’s hands during the last seconds of every quarter. As good as Manu Ginobili is, this is the second series where he has been strippted and either caused a turnover or that turnover cost them the game. The last time I happened was against Sacramento. Parker needs to be part of the focal point during the last waning seconds of every quarter if the Spurs have possession. Because he has been clutch, the Mavs will come out and front him thus leaving players like Ginobili, Brent Barry, Michael Finley and other sharp shooters free to pop the three or step in and take the long two.

[Shank]

Greg Moore is Fox Sports Radio's NBA analyst and covers the San Antonio Spurs.

[samikeyp]

If you are trying to imply that Greg is a homer....you are wayyy off. Those of us who know him, know better.

[T Park]

Mavs fan's idea of a homer.

Anyone that picks the other team other than the Mavericks.

GOTTA BE A HOMER OF SO AND SO!!!!!

[Sasha]

SPURS CAN WIN SERIES BASED UPON ONE POINT LOSS

If you think the Dallas Mavericks are the world beaters and can defeat the Spurs, think again. Last Saturday’s game exposed the Mavericks big time. The Mavs were up by thirteen and lost that lead by a Spurs team that wasn’t even clicking on all cylinders. 104-103 isn’t some testimony to your defense; it’s a testimony of getting lucky a the right time.


Although I'm a long, long way from a basketball expert and I'm also an eternal optimist, I've been saying this from the beginning! It's great to hear it from someone besides just me...

[Sasha]

Quote:
Originally Posted by nbascribe


Greg Moore is Fox Sports Radio's NBA analyst and covers the San Antonio Spurs.



And your point is?

How pathetic. The truth hurts.