The Spurs EDUCATE the Cavs
There's no way around it. There really isn't a whole lot of analyzing that needs to be done here. San Antonio played well enough to win on offense, and fantastic defense, in particular on Lebron.
I don't have the stats sitting here in front of my, but Lebron was terrible tonight, I think 4 for 16, and I completely commend the Spurs. Here's what they did, and it's so simple, it's sickening. Whenever Cleveland were there to set picks for him, San Antonio would step out. Detroit stepped out as well...but San Antonio STEPPED OUT, and got big. What it took away was Lebron hitting the pick, and driving right around the pick for a layup. He didn't try to split the double, and I saw Mike Brown say it to him several times.
Popovich said, "We maintained our intensity defensively for 48 minutes, and that's what got us through the night."
On offense, Tony Parker was just absolutely impressive. Cleveland had to figure out how to stop him, and they didn't. That opened up the late run for the Spurs, that saw the perimeter open up for Ginobli, Bowen, and Parker himself. Duncan, of course, was the silent assassin. I was hoping Varejao would get under his skin, but he didn't.
San Antonio outrebounded Cleveland by 11, which was huge, and just plain outhustled the Cavs tonight.
The good? You take away the third quarter that saw the Spurs build a near 20 point lead, and the Cavs are right in the game, without Lebron playing well, with Z non-existant, and not shooting well from the outside. If Lebron steps it up, and the Cavs can find a way to open up the inside for Gooden and Z, this series should get interesting.
The first battle goes to the Spurs...but this series is just getting started.
4 comments:
Hughes needs to sit for the rest of the series. He isn't doing the Cavs any favors.
Sit Z while you are at it...how does someone become so useless?
I know he is going against some tough big men, but he has to at least be some kind of presence on D and score once in a while.
FLAMMA
Well, well, well, Z did show up.
I don't know what to make of the officiating...and I am not necessarily talking about the last play.
Just strange. I hate the weak make-up calls. These guys want to influence the game too much.
I don't know how it is in the NBA's interest to give Lebron and Duncan three fouls on ridiculous plays.
To make matters worse, they are making up calls to make for the weak call to the other superstar, not just for calls they missed.
There are no do-overs in life! How come in the NBA there are?
FLAMMA
Cavs win game 4 = FACT
FLAMMA
I demand some closure Pojo...One more rant/discussion please.
Thank you.
Flamma
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