I think game 5 is far, far more critical for the Hornets than the Spurs, meaning as you state, if the Spurs can weather the early emotion filled intense charge the Hornets should begin the game with, the pressure will really mount for New Orleans if the game is close down the stretch. San Antonio wins game 5, it's over. New Orleans wins, SA may very well come back to Texas to take game 6 and force a 7th game where their wealth of experience would obviously be a big factor.
As to the game, keep right on doing what we're doing. Play CP straight up and double down and out on West and Stoyo. Offensively, I think Pops move to insert Manu in the starting rotation and have him run the point while Tony takes a breather has been huge. A fully healthy Tim D poses huge interior problems for NO. Last night the double teams were coming too early, allowing constant open 3 point attempts. Wait too late or try to play him man up, and see where Tyson Chandler landed.
Aside from potential foul difficulties forcing either team to lose significant minutes, a big factor will be either team's ability to hit outside jumpers. Guys like Pargo or Bruce may be the difference makers. Big key will also be bench play. That's one area that really should favor the Hornets, but I'll still take an older Finlay over Julian Wright, etc. I'm very surprised guys like Bonzi Wells have not been more of a factor for NO. In very limited time last night, Robert Horry provided as much value for the Spurs as Wells did for New Orleans until pure garbage time in the 4th.
The Spurs get to flex their advantage of mental make-up/experience!
The Hornets are a phenomenally talented winning team, but they have yet to experience any playoff pressure. They are probably a better team all things equal, but playoff pressure can be a great imbalance to equality.
The first 4 games of the series had the Spurs nearly buckling under enormous pressure while the Hornets got a relative easy free ride.
I am not saying there is no pressure on the Spurs. There certainly is a lot of pressure. But, now finally the pressure goes both ways.
Game 5 doesn't concern me. If we win it is a bonus. If we lose, it isn't a big deal. I feel very confident in game 6 and I actually think losing game 5 would have some advantages as a game 7 with the inexperienced Hornets could get them slightly less of a performance than a do or die situation.
Danger with winning game 5 is a game 6 loss is a big momentium builder for the Hornets if they got one in SA. Game 7 would be much harder.
I think we can win in 6, but I wouldn't mind a nice 7 game series either. Either way ... Spurs should win.
I don't think I have enjoyed watching Tony Parker more than I have this series. It is becoming his team.
...........As long as they keep up the intensity (espeacialy in the 3d quarter) and stay very very aggressive like my pit Stripe....the Spurs will be in good shape to take this in 6 at home baby........ G O_____ S P U R S____ G O!!!!!!!
I think the media jumped on that C. Paul and the Hornets bandwagon too soon! I feel your pain because the media counted the Pistons out after Chauncey went down, but we still handled our business....I believe in the experience factor that you Spur fans are talking about and I think as a result of that the Spurs will prevail....truth is teams like the Pistons and Spurs know how to win...with that Good luck! and we will see you in a week or so.
Go Pistons!!!!!!
I don't know. Perhaps you're right about the officiating, but I could see that second half coming like a freight train last night. Same MO as games 1 and 2. We obviously need to be hitting our outside Js when defenses are collapsing on Timmy, but we got totally relaint on the 3 ball in the first half. When the 3s stopped dropping in the second, we couldn't adjust. I mean we had Chandler sitting in the first quarter and Duncan cannot manage to do anything (rebounding aside). I don't get it. Go right at the double as soon as you catch the ball and draw fouls. And what became of Tony/Manu penetrating? Meanwhile on the defensive side, we probably should have created more doubles or a gimmick to go after West. CP only had 6 points at half. I would much rather he had 22 and West had 6. But all in all, while I don't feel easy, I still got a lot of faith in the Spurs. if we take game 6 Thursday, we got a 4 day layoff till game 7 on Monday. That helps us more than them with the age factor, and my guess is officiating will not dictate a game 7. Does the exuberance of youth pay off or the experience come to roost? But first we got to take care of business in game 6.....
Stripe....the 