McDonald: Spurs' Keys To Victory

[duncan228]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....1d75491c.html

NBA: Spurs' keys to victory
Jeff McDonald

Play better smaller

The Spurs were kicking the Lakers all over the Staples Center in Game 1 until L.A. coach Phil Jackson made the interesting decision to go small.

Out came Lamar Odom, a 6-foot-10 “small” forward. In went Sasha Vujacic, a 6-foot-7 shooter to take his place.

The Spurs matched that by giving swingmen Michael Finley and Ime Udoka more minutes at the expense of bigger post players.

Playing small, the Lakers outscored the Spurs 24-13 in the fourth quarter, finishing off their comeback from 20 points down. The Lakers will probably revisit this lineup in Game 2, so the Spurs will need more productive nights from players such as Finley and Udoka.

Keep the pace

The Spurs played much of Game 1 at their preferred pace, slowing things down and keeping the Lakers out of their running game.

L.A. managed just 89 points — 23 below their league-leading average in the playoffs — precisely because the Spurs were able to keep them from getting many easy ones in transition.

Of course, it didn’t quite matter — the Spurs still lost the game — but if they can keep the pace slow and keep the Lakers under 100 points, they stand a good chance of winning Game 2.

More from Manu

Manu Ginobili is often the X-factor for the Spurs. He possesses the Kobe-like ability to get hot at a moment’s notice, and carry his team on his shoulders.

Ginobili was a mere mortal in Game 1 — he was 3 of 13 from the field, good for 10 points, and committed four turnovers.

The Spurs are going to need something closer to the superhuman Ginobili to win this series. This is largely beyond the Spurs’ — or Ginobili’s — control. He’s battling a sore ankle and torn fingernail, which could make the going tougher for him.

[Man In Black]

KFTO-
Knack for the obvious.