<div align="center"> <div align='center'><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Western Conference Semi-Finals</span></div> (3) <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> (2) <span style="font-family:Arial Black"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">SA Leads Series 1-0</span></span> May 8, 2007 - 10:30 pm ET <span style="color:#FF0000">Game on TNT</span></div> <span style="color:#000000">San Antonio Spurs</span> <span style="color:#999999">(1-0)</span> <span style="color:#999999">PG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Tony Parker</span> <span style="color:#999999">SG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Michael Finley</span> <span style="color:#999999">SF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Bruce Bowen</span> <span style="color:#999999">PF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Tim Duncan</span> <span style="color:#999999">C</span> <span style="color:#000000">Francisco Elson</span> <span style="color:#999999">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry, Jacque Vaughn, Fabricio Oberto</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix Suns</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">(0-1)</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">PG</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Steve Nash</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">SG</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Raja Bell</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">SF</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Shawn Marion</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">PF</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Amare Stoudemire</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">C</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Kurt Thomas</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw, James Jones</span> Injury Report None Who To Watch Out For <span style="color:#000000">Tim Duncan</span> <span style="color:#999999">Playoff Stats: 22.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.8 bpg</span> <span style="color:#999999">Game 1: 33 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks</span> <span style="color:#000000">Tony Parker</span> <span style="color:#999999">Playoff Stats: 20.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 7.0 apg</span> <span style="color:#999999">Game 1: 32 points, 1 rebound, 8 assists, 3 steals</span> <span style="color:#000000">Manu Ginobili</span> <span style="color:#999999">Playoff Stats: 12.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.8 apg</span> <span style="color:#999999">Game 1: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Steve Nash</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Playoff Stats: 18.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 13.0 apg</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Game 1: 31 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Amare Stoudemire</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Playoff Stats: 23.5 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 2.3 bpg</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Game 1: 20 points, 18 rebounds, 5 blocks</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Shawn Marion</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Playoff Stats: 18.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.5 spg</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Game 1: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Leandro Barbosa</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Playoff Stats: 20.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">Game 1: 18 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists</span> <span style="color:#000000">San Antonio's Keys to the Game</span> <span style="color:#999999">- Control the pace of the game. - Finley needs to continue to shoot the ball at a high rate, as he has done throughout the playoffs thus far. - Ginobili needs to do a better job off the bench offensively than he did in Game 1. He was pretty cold. - Keep Amare off the glass as best you can. - Hope that Nash's nose gushes blood again, so he can't play. </span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Phoenix's Keys to the Game</span> <span style="color:#FF6600">- Control the pace of the game. - Help defense is so key. Phoenix is not a very good man-up defensive team, people need to help each other out better than they did in Game 1. They left too many shooters open, especially Finley. - Amare and Thomas need to do a good job on Duncan again. They did a very solid job in Game 1, but they could have done better. They let him completely take over in the 3rd quarter. - Win the rebounding battle. - Take advantage of home court/momentum.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#000000">Tim Duncan</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#6600CC">Amare Stoudemire</span></div> CelticBalla's Prediction Whoever controls the pace of the game will win, that's how it's gonna be all series long. I'll go with Phoenix today, I don't think they let San Antonio beat them twice on their home court. I predict a monster game from Amare, as well.
Big, BIG game for Phoenix. If they drop 2 in a row on their homecourt, they will be going to AT&T Center with a good chance that they won't be returning to Phoenix.I think Phoenix will win this. I expect a better game offensively from Amare, and expect Parker to be a bit slowed down.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ May 8 2007, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>James Jones isn't starting, where have you been the last 2 days?</div> He started in Game 1, smart guy.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ May 8 2007, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He started in Game 1, smart guy.</div>I posted in the last thread that Kurt Thomas will probably start today. There was an article I put up.I expect the Suns to win today. I don't see us losing a 2nd in a row at home in a must-win game. Nash and Amare will both have big games.What I am worried about is going down 1-3 which is possible. I just hope we can win 2 out of the next 3, but it'll be really tough.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ May 8 2007, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He started in Game 1, smart guy.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ May 8 2007, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I posted in the last thread that Kurt Thomas will probably start today. There was an article I put up.</div>I don't know if you've been under a rock but it's been all over PHX that Amare 'leaked' that KT is starting(Amare screws us again!).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Something-To-Say @ May 8 2007, 05:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't know if you've been under a rock but it's been all over PHX that Amare 'leaked' that KT is starting(Amare screws us again!).</div> Forgive me for not living in Phoenix. It's not like it's breaking news, Christ.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ May 8 2007, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Forgive me for not living in Phoenix. It's not like it's breaking news, Christ.</div>It sure is if we win this game.
Yeah, the Suns save face with a big win and like 35 and 20 from Amare. Going to San Antonio 1-1 is a lot better than going there 0-2.
I like the Suns in this game. More court time from Kurt Thomas should allow the Suns to stay with the likes of Finley and Horry not allowing them the numerous open looks that they got from the double teams against Duncan. Plus somebody on the Suns pissed Nash off and he always plays better then usual when he is upset. Kurt Thomas regardless if he starts or comes off the bench has to play at least 25 minutes per game for the Suns to have any chance in this series, 13 minutes is no where near enough on court time specially seeing how Amare who is their only other option against TD goes completely soft the second he gets into foul trouble. KT is the only player on the Suns roster who can play effective man-to-man defense against Duncan.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ May 8 2007, 06:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Forgive me for not living in Phoenix. It's not like it's breaking news, Christ.</div>Hehe. CelticBalla32 got pawned by Something-To-Say
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart? @ May 8 2007, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hehe. CelticBalla32 got pawned by Something-To-Say </div> Not really. He said it was news all around Phoenix, I don't live anywhere near Phoenix and I didn't hear a word about it. Also, I believe the term is "pwn3d" not "pawned." (I hate that people replace the o in "owned" with a p.. it will never make any sense whatsoever).
Suns with a three point play to head into Half time with a 49-42 lead after the Spurs hit the three before the half, haha. Good game so far, can't wait for the second half.
Good finish for the Suns and once again we make a run with Kurt in the line-up. He makes the defense just so much better. Nice to see that he already has as many minutes in this half as he did in Game 1. Amare is rebounding well, but needs to get his offense started. At least he got us the first dunks of the series. Marion showing some more today. Nash has 9 assists. Lets keep it up!
Hloy sh*t STAT just threw one down! wooooooooooooooA win is a win however it comes but it would be nice to have a big one.
The Spurs don't know what to do. It really is great fun to watch. They are missing shots they make when they are clicking. They are so used to tight games it just looks like if you get away from them and put them on the ropes they can't handle it.I wonder how many people will be posting tomorrow that the Suns can't play D?
