Spurs look to bounce back in Game 2, more
The San Antonio Spurs have not done themselves any favors over the past week. On Wednesday, the Spurs lost their regular-season finale in front of a hostile crowd against the New Orleans Pelicans, when a win would have meant the Western Conference’s second seed and a Southwest Division title. Instead, San Antonio dropped all the way to a six-seed, matching it up with the high-flying Los Angeles Clippers.
The Spurs promptly started their postseason title defense with a dud, losing handily at the Staples Center, 107-92. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul dominated San Antonio, combining for 58 points, 19 rebounds and 12 assists while DeAndre Jordan patrolled the pain with authority, snaring 14 rebounds as well. Meanwhile, the Spurs failed to have anybody eclipse 20 points, and never looked competitive after falling behind by 12 points to end the first quarter.
On Wednesday, the Spurs will try to even the series in Los Angeles before heading back to the AT&T Center. San Antonio is familiar with every type of situation and pressure in the playoffs, so remaining poised won’t be a problem. However, stopping Paul from getting into the lane might be. For all of his strengths, Tony Parker has never been a great defender. Now on the wrong side of age 30, Parker lacks the mobility and agility at times to defend a player of Paul’s talents. With Paul breaking down the defense, San Antonio is in trouble.
Offensively, the Spurs must shoot better from the perimeter. In Game 1, San Antonio took an outrageous 33 3-point attempts and only hit on 10. Danny Green, a noted sharpshooter and one of the main reasons for last year’s championship, was 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. If Green is that cold again in Game 2, it could spell disaster for Gregg Popovich’s squad.
Everyone always expects the Spurs to respond when the chips are down. It will be interesting to watch how they adjust against an athletic team, looking to make a statement.
Mavs, Rockets square off on Tuesday night
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets put on an offensive show in Game 1, with Houston pulling out a 118-108 victory at home. Houston was predictably paced by James Harden, who scored 24 points and dished out 11 assists for a double-double.
Dallas will try to even things with the hopes of having better play on the interior. The Mavericks lost not for a lack of shooting but for playing defense with its hands instead of its feet. The Mavericks committed 28 personal fouls, leading to 45 free-throw attempts for the Rockets. Houston converted 32 of them into points.
If Dallas continues to play lackluster defense, the Rockets will breeze through the round. The Mavericks have the horses to compete with Houston, but are they a little too old to deal with Harden and others off the dribble?
