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This is an excellent match-up for San Antonio, although it may not appear that way on paper! Most of the fans are thinking that Los Angeles is an immediate throw-back to their Magic/ Karem years. Well the disappointment is obvious and LA isn't close to their old form. The Spurs can out score LA or they can play defense with them anytime. Being from San Antonio I can tell you that the Spurs will go into LA somewhat tired, however they did have a 4 day rest prior to the finalee in New Orleans. So, you can look at the first game in LA as a continuation to the N.O. series. You can not underestimate the Spurs due to their age. They play one game at a time and they were not to be denied in N.O. If there is a comparison...it is that the Spurs play a lot like the old Celtics. In the later years of the Celtics, they began to play longer series' (many 7 games) and winning on the road. The Spurs are beginning to play this way, as they use to dispose of their opponents in 5 games, maybe 6. If you add up the Spurs playoff games since their first championship in 1999, you get an unbeleivable number that is over 120 games that's more than one season then everyone else has played, and throw in the Olympic appearences and Pan-Am games, and the system has taken a toll on the players! Much like what happened in Dallas with the Cowboys during the 90's. The Spurs have accepted their place in history and will win at least one more championship, probably this year and maybe one more depending on how the team is re-stacked next year. The problem series' are behind the Spurs this year, as the next 2 match-ups favor them dramaticaly. The Spurs should win one in LA , as there is no one to cover Duncan [Chandler (N.O.) is better than anyone LA can throw out there], LA doesn't have a point guard to fear like Paul, and the 3 point shooting for LA can not match the Spurs. The Spurs simply play Bowen against Kobe, and match up to remaining scorers (Duncan, Parker & Ginobili) against the other 4 Lakers. This is a mismatch and Popavich knows it and he knows how to defend Kobe! They have played so many times over the years that the Lakers have nothing new to offer the Spurs, like Hornets did. I look for the Spurs to win the series and not in 7 games, maybe 6. Spurs to go 1-1 in LA.
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