The San Antonio Spurs took a 1-0 series lead with an easy 108-92 win at home in Game 1. The series will stay in San Antonio for Game 2 on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 EST and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN. As poorly as the Los Angeles Clippers played in Game 1, they can take control of the series if they can win Game 2. If the Spurs come out and take a 2-0 series lead, I believe San Antonio has a great shot at winning a game in Los Angels and closing out the series at home in Game 5.
Oddsmakers do not like the Clippers chances of getting even with a win in Game 2. The Spurs are favored by 11-points over Los Angeles with the total set at 194 points. Make sure you stay up to date with the series by clicking here.
Los Angeles
There's no doubt the Clippers were feeling the effects of their grueling seven game series with Memphis in Game 1, but I also think this is an especially difficult matchup for Los Angeles. San Antonio is very good at taking the opposing teams strengths. San Antonio did not permit the Clippers to run the pick and roll and really limited their fast break chances.
The Clippers are going to have to make some big corrections in Game 2, but what it really comes down to is the play of Chris Paul. In the first game, Paul was held to just 6 points on 3 of 13 shooting. While he did make up for some of that with 10 assists, if he isn't scoring 20 points a game, the Clippers aren't going to beat the Spurs. Particularly if San Antonio continues to take away the pick and roll.
Blake Griffin finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds, but was limited to just 28 minutes. It looked like the knee wasn't troubling him early on, however it appeared to be taking its toll over the course of the game. Griffin made just 7 of 17 from the field and San Antonio is essentially daring him to shoot from 10-15 feet out.
There were a couple positives to take away from Game 1. Caron Butler was an offensive factor with 15 points and Eric Bledsoe and Nick Young contributed 36 points off the bench. Bledsoe had a team-high 23 points on 10 of 16 shooting. The sole issue with that is the Clippers still lost the game by 16-points.
San Antonio
The Spurs have to be happy with how things went in Game 1, but head coach Greg Poppovich knows his team can play better. San Antonio turned the ball over 18 times, well above their season average of slightly below 12 a game. A large amount of that likely had to do with the long lay off between series. Expect this team to take better care of the basketball as the series goes on.
Offensively the Spurs were extremely sharp in the opener. San Antonio was on fire from downtown, connecting on 13 of 25 (52%) behind the 3-point line. While it's improbable the Spurs will be able to keep up that pace, it's an area where they figure to continue to have success. The Spurs got a wide-open look whenever they wanted.
Tim Duncan had no problems against the Clippers defense with 26 points on 12 of 20 shooting. Duncan also had 10 rebounds 2 steals and 2 blocks. Manu Ginobili put in 22 points off the bench, while Daniel Green and Kawhi Leonard combined for 31 points thanks largely to 6 of 9 shooting from behind the arc. What's scary if you are a Clippers fan, is Tony Parker had just seven points on 1 of 9 shooting. Parker did help out with a game-high 11 assists.
Oddsmakers do not like the Clippers chances of getting even with a win in Game 2. The Spurs are favored by 11-points over Los Angeles with the total set at 194 points. Make sure you stay up to date with the series by clicking here.
Los Angeles
There's no doubt the Clippers were feeling the effects of their grueling seven game series with Memphis in Game 1, but I also think this is an especially difficult matchup for Los Angeles. San Antonio is very good at taking the opposing teams strengths. San Antonio did not permit the Clippers to run the pick and roll and really limited their fast break chances.
The Clippers are going to have to make some big corrections in Game 2, but what it really comes down to is the play of Chris Paul. In the first game, Paul was held to just 6 points on 3 of 13 shooting. While he did make up for some of that with 10 assists, if he isn't scoring 20 points a game, the Clippers aren't going to beat the Spurs. Particularly if San Antonio continues to take away the pick and roll.
Blake Griffin finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds, but was limited to just 28 minutes. It looked like the knee wasn't troubling him early on, however it appeared to be taking its toll over the course of the game. Griffin made just 7 of 17 from the field and San Antonio is essentially daring him to shoot from 10-15 feet out.
There were a couple positives to take away from Game 1. Caron Butler was an offensive factor with 15 points and Eric Bledsoe and Nick Young contributed 36 points off the bench. Bledsoe had a team-high 23 points on 10 of 16 shooting. The sole issue with that is the Clippers still lost the game by 16-points.
San Antonio
The Spurs have to be happy with how things went in Game 1, but head coach Greg Poppovich knows his team can play better. San Antonio turned the ball over 18 times, well above their season average of slightly below 12 a game. A large amount of that likely had to do with the long lay off between series. Expect this team to take better care of the basketball as the series goes on.
Offensively the Spurs were extremely sharp in the opener. San Antonio was on fire from downtown, connecting on 13 of 25 (52%) behind the 3-point line. While it's improbable the Spurs will be able to keep up that pace, it's an area where they figure to continue to have success. The Spurs got a wide-open look whenever they wanted.
Tim Duncan had no problems against the Clippers defense with 26 points on 12 of 20 shooting. Duncan also had 10 rebounds 2 steals and 2 blocks. Manu Ginobili put in 22 points off the bench, while Daniel Green and Kawhi Leonard combined for 31 points thanks largely to 6 of 9 shooting from behind the arc. What's scary if you are a Clippers fan, is Tony Parker had just seven points on 1 of 9 shooting. Parker did help out with a game-high 11 assists.
About the Author:
Looking for the latest on the NBA playoffs? Read more about each series at Betfirms.com. For a look at the Heat/Pacers matchup, click on this link.
No comments:
Post a Comment