Vs SAN ANTONIO SPURS PG-Tony Parker SG-Manu Ginobili SF-Bruce Bowen PFTim Duncan C-Nazr Mohammad DETROIT PISTONS PG-Chauncey Billups SG-Rip Hamilton SF-Tayshaun Prince PFRasheed Wallace C-Ben Wallace FINALS SCHEDULE Game 1: Thurs, June 9 | Detroit at San Antonio | 9 p.m. ET, ABC Game 2: Sun, June 12 | Detroit at San Antonio | 9 p.m. ET, ABC Game 3: Tues, June 14 | San Antonio at Detroit | 9 p.m. ET, ABC Game 4: Thurs, June 16 | San Antonio at Detroit | 9 p.m. ET, ABC Game 5*: Sun, June 19 | San Antonio at Detroit | 9 p.m. ET, ABC Game 6*: Tues, June 21 | Detroit at San Antonio | 9 p.m. ET, ABC Game 7*: Thurs, June 23 | Detroit at San Antonio | 9 p.m. ET, ABC *=IF NEEDED
This is going to be a great series, as a lot of ESPN reporters predicted this midway in the season. The best two defenses in the league. The matchups are just great. Parker vs. Billups This matchup is one of the best because both of these players can shoot, drive-in, and force uncontested shots on defense. Expect Billups to make a lot of shots over Parker and Parker penetrating a lot. Ginobili vs. Hamilton Two great shooters that can draw the foul on an easy basis. Hamilton will make Ginobili tired because of his off-ball experience and Ginobili arguably is one of the quickest shooting guards in the game. Expect Hamilton to get over 25 points per game and Ginobili with about 18. Bowen vs. Prince Amazing defense takes place here. Bowen, the best defender in this series will have to settle taking a lanky Prince. Prince is also a great defender, which makes both of them hard to score on each other. Expect many blocks, steals, and uncommon fouls for these two. Duncan vs. R. Wallace Arguably the two best overall players from these teams are right here, in the post, and in the mid-range area. Duncan will try to use is close range shooting, hook shots, or easy lay ups and dunks on Wallace while Rasheed tries to put a body on him and use his 3-point shooting that has been excellent this post season. Expect Duncan to get 20+ point and 12+ rebounds every game of this series and Wallace to about 22 pts. + and 8+ rebounds. This is the best matchup this series. Mohammed vs. B. Wallace These two players are one of the best shot blockers, and rebounding machines when it comes to offensive rebounding. They are both getting about 4 offensive boards this post season but Wallace has the edge in blocks. Expect Wallace to shut down Mohammed on the defensive end but Mohammed can really come in the clutch sometimes on offense or defense. This is going to be a heck of a series, but I'm going with San Antonio on this one. They've had a lot of rest for this moment, and expect them to win in 6 games. Game 1: SA def. Det 91-80 (SA 1-0) Game 2: Det def. SA 86-83 (Tied 1-1) Game 3: SA def. Det 100-87 (SA 2-1) Game 4: SA def. Det 90-76 (SA 3-1) Game 5: Det def. SA 105-89 (SA 3-2) Game 6: SA def. Det 91-88 (SA wins 4-2)
^nice job! i thnk that's a pretty god analysis...esp.the spurs in 6...hehe...i thnk the spurs will win the front court battle since the back courts are so evenly matched...but the odds are against the spurs..accdng to sc,the first team to clinch an NBA Finals spot is most likely to lose the series....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j_a_d_e:</div><div class="quote_post">^nice job! i thnk that's a pretty god analysis...esp.the spurs in 6...hehe...i thnk the spurs will win the front court battle since the back courts are so evenly matched...but the odds are against the spurs..accdng to sc,the first team to clinch an NBA Finals spot is most likely to lose the series....</div> Wow, I didn't know that. What's the percentage?
I wonder if the Pistons will have Tayshaun Prince matched up on Manu Ginobili. Bruce Bowne isn't a huge offensive threat where as Manu can hurt you with his scoring. I think Prince will be on Manu for most of the night with Rip on Bowen. Also watch for the double team a lot in this one with Ben Wallace moving over to help Rasheed Wallace cover Tim Duncan. The Spurs don't have a big man who scores (other then Duncan) so keep an eye out for the Defensive Player Of The Year to help out with other matchups.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">I wonder if the Pistons will have Tayshaun Prince matched up on Manu Ginobili. Bruce Bowne isn't a huge offensive threat where as Manu can hurt you with his scoring. I think Prince will be on Manu for most of the night with Rip on Bowen. Also watch for the double team a lot in this one with Ben Wallace moving over to help Rasheed Wallace cover Tim Duncan. The Spurs don't have a big man who scores (other then Duncan) so keep an eye out for the Defensive Player Of The Year to help out with other matchups.</div> Yeah, my fault. I heard Bowen was supposed to be guarding Rip because of his great defense on superior offensive threats. Manu will be guarding Prince.
This could be a great finals series, the Spurs and Pistons are evenly matched and are well coached. The Spurs have the homecourt advantage, which could turn out to be crucial in this series. If Rasheed Wallace is guarding Tim Duncan, he will have to stay out of foul trouble as he's a big part of the Pistons offense.
It wont even be that close... Spurs have a better bench , home-court , the best two players (Manu & TD)...the Pistons struggled against Phili!They were down to both Miami and Indiana , now that may work against borderline great teams but it wont against a GODLY Spurs team.If they fall down 2-0 or even 2-1 its over. SPURS in 5 , maybe 6.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 9SA21SPURS20:</div><div class="quote_post">It wont even be that close... Spurs have a better bench , home-court , the best two players (Manu & TD)...the Pistons struggled against Phili!They were down to both Miami and Indiana , now that may work against borderline great teams but it wont against a GODLY Spurs team.If they fall down 2-0 or even 2-1 its over. SPURS in 5 , maybe 6.</div> I love my Spurs too but!!!! You're correct about the Spurs bench being deeper and better. Don't look for a cake walk though, the Pistons are the NBA world champions, the Spurs are going to have to take that championship away from them. I just want to see how the Spurs come out from a week off and see if the Pistons are fatigued from the Heat series. If I was Pop, I'd start baiting the Piston's big 3 from the get go. If they consistantly frustrated Big Ben he'll explode, kind of looks that way anywho when he has Fro' out. Let's get ready to Rumble. I've waited all year for this exact match up. Look for some very, very physical play and tempers are going to flare. JT
I somehow doubt Ben will get frustrated and explode. He isn't facing Ron Artest here. It's the finals so don't expect anyone to do something they would regret I will be shocked If this series goes under 6, really shocked. I'm going to enjoy every game of this one.
The Spurs managed to overcome a slow start to win Game 1, 84 - 69. Tim Duncan had 24 points and 17 rebounds for the Spurs. Manu Ginobili had a great 4th quarter, scoring 15 of his 26 points then.
Game 1 I'll be the first to admit that first quarter had me worried. Looks like the Spurs were a little rusty and nervous. Once they got on track especially in the fourth quarter, the Spurs were dominate (well T.D. and Gino for sure). Don't know if fatigue was a factor with the Pistons or not. I expected a Saturday game, darn. Not sure if I like the 2-3-2 finals format. JT
The Finals format in my opinion kind of tips the hat to the team without home court... I mean if they lose the 1st 2 games, they have a better chance of goign up 3-2 and winning the games away in game 6 or 7... I mean i'ts kind of not fair... maybe not though...
I predict spurs in 5 or 6. Before the season started I predicted Spurs and Pistons in the finals and that the spurs would win it in 5 or 6.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">The Finals format in my opinion kind of tips the hat to the team without home court... I mean if they lose the 1st 2 games, they have a better chance of goign up 3-2 and winning the games away in game 6 or 7... I mean i'ts kind of not fair... maybe not though...</div> Not really, when a team without homecourt is down 0-2 If the team who has that two game lead manages to lose 3 straight are they really worthy enough to win It all? the better team would at least steal one game on the road. At the end of the day It all comes down to homecourt. The format has no more advantages If a team is going home down 2-0 however 1-1 may be a bit different but at the same time If they are the better team they should have no problem stealing homecourt back. Manu went crazy in the 4th while Prince, Sheed and Rip couldn't hit a thing. I still expect this series will go to 6 games. These are the type of situations the Pistons are known for. Backs against the wall. Game 2 will be key.
I think the way they have 2 games homecourt then 2 away is really good. The better team during regular season should have homecourt advantage. Any championship team must be able to win on the road.
