秦南玥
2007-04-30, 04:36 PM
Basketball: Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) vs. Nuggets — Keys to victory
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA043007.6D.BKNspurskeys.32ef008.html
Web Posted: 04/30/2007 01:53 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
PUT A BODY ON SOMEBODY
Denver has 44 offensive rebounds in the series to the Spurs' 38. That's not a big disparity, but that also doesn't mean the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) feel they can continue to win if they give up 22 second-chance points as they did in Game 3.
Three different Nuggets had at least four offensive rebounds Saturday: Nenê, Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are asking a lot of their defense if Denver keeps getting extra possessions.
BE DECISIVE
While the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have done a better job of moving the ball in the past two games, they can still move it quicker.
On a handful of possessions in Saturday's second half, the Spurs' guards tried to penetrate into a crowded lane when they would have been better off immediately passing, which could have moved Denver's defense and opened up a lane to the basket.
"I think we just try to make the home-run pass instead of the easy pass," Michael Finley said, "and, as a result, it backfired on us."
STAY COMPOSED
One Denver official was overheard after Saturday's game complaining that Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) played 41 minutes and didn't pick up a single foul. Nuggets guard J.R. Smith later said he thought his team became too concerned about the officiating — even though Denver shot 30 free throws to the Spurs' 14.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) might have had even more reason to gripe. Duncan took just two free throws despite attempting 21 shots. Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) took 23 shots but didn't make a single trip to the foul line.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have largely done a good job of not letting their emotions get the best of them. With the Nuggets even more desperate and playing again in front of their fans, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) will need to continue to do the same.
"If we get off kilter, it would be detrimental for us," Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) said. "So it's important to weather whatever kind of storm there is and keep the focus as to what you need to do on the court."
— Johnny Ludden
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA043007.6D.BKNspurskeys.32ef008.html
Web Posted: 04/30/2007 01:53 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
PUT A BODY ON SOMEBODY
Denver has 44 offensive rebounds in the series to the Spurs' 38. That's not a big disparity, but that also doesn't mean the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) feel they can continue to win if they give up 22 second-chance points as they did in Game 3.
Three different Nuggets had at least four offensive rebounds Saturday: Nenê, Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera. The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) are asking a lot of their defense if Denver keeps getting extra possessions.
BE DECISIVE
While the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have done a better job of moving the ball in the past two games, they can still move it quicker.
On a handful of possessions in Saturday's second half, the Spurs' guards tried to penetrate into a crowded lane when they would have been better off immediately passing, which could have moved Denver's defense and opened up a lane to the basket.
"I think we just try to make the home-run pass instead of the easy pass," Michael Finley said, "and, as a result, it backfired on us."
STAY COMPOSED
One Denver official was overheard after Saturday's game complaining that Tim Duncan (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tim_duncan) played 41 minutes and didn't pick up a single foul. Nuggets guard J.R. Smith later said he thought his team became too concerned about the officiating — even though Denver shot 30 free throws to the Spurs' 14.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) might have had even more reason to gripe. Duncan took just two free throws despite attempting 21 shots. Tony Parker (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/tony_parker) took 23 shots but didn't make a single trip to the foul line.
The Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) have largely done a good job of not letting their emotions get the best of them. With the Nuggets even more desperate and playing again in front of their fans, the Spurs (http://www.chinaspurs.com) will need to continue to do the same.
"If we get off kilter, it would be detrimental for us," Bruce Bowen (http://www.chinaspurs.com/players/bruce_bowen) said. "So it's important to weather whatever kind of storm there is and keep the focus as to what you need to do on the court."
— Johnny Ludden