Jun
8
PEPE LE PU!
Filed Under Loose Balls
Spurs Win Ugly Game One As Parker and Duncan Dominate, James Puts Up a Rare Stinker!
Playing like they always seem to do in the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs weren’t pretty but were certainly effective during an 85-76 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in an ugly start to the 2007 Finals.
Leading 42-37 with 8:45 to go in the third quarter, the Spurs exploded with a 24-14 scoring advantage to lead by 15 points at the end of the period. Tony Parker got into the lane all night en route to a team-leading 27 points and 7 assists. Tim Duncan controlled the paint with five blocks as Cleveland got the ball deep under the basket but was unable to finish with the Spurs’ franchise power forward altering shots. For good measure, Duncan added 24 points and 13 rebounds. Just another night in the Finals for Duncan and the Spurs.
In his first appearance in the NBA Finals, Lebron James only had 14 points on a dismal 25 percent shooting performance (4-for-16) from the field. San Antonio sent double teams at James, who was able to get past the trapping defense and find open Cleveland teammates. With the exception of rookie Daniel Gibson, who led the Cavs with 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting, Cleveland struggled from the field at a 42 percent clip.
James started the game looking to get his teammates involved and did not have a field goal at the half. While James likes to be a distributor, he will need to be more aggressive in this series if the Cavs are to have any chance.
Neither team played very well, and Cleveland only lost by nine points with James having an off night. Game Two on Sunday night is attainable for Cleveland, which will need to come out with the pedal to the metal and figure out how to stop the screen and roll with Parker.
Look for more analysis of tonight’s game in the next couple of days. Here’s a brief breakdown of the key players in Game One.
Game One Difference Makers
Tim Duncan: Played with great energy tonight. Scored six quick points off an effective pick and roll game with Parker. While San Antonio hit a lull on offense in the second quarter, Duncan kept them in the lead with his defense. Cleveland got deep into the lane and snatched several offensive rebounds in the first half, but were unable to finish the chippies with Duncan’s length affecting their shots. Duncan finished with five blocks and was very solid on the block and the boards all night.
Tony Parker: Got into the lane whenever he wanted to. It’s amazing how he gets into the lane, scores most of his points off lay ups, and the other team’s big men do not contest his shots. Very solid floor game. When he wasn’t getting into the lane, Parker was picking apart Cleveland with his nifty passing, often to Duncan for one-hand slams. His confidence and game totally revolves around getting those easy buckets early, and Parker was the best guard on the floor tonight.
Bruce Bowen: Solid defensive performance on James was aided by San Antonio’s double-teaming. James still got to the lane when he wanted to, but when you look at his final scoring line (especially the six turnovers), give Bowen some credit. Also hit some key shots in the Spurs’ third-quarter run. Bowen better be ready for James in Game Two as the Cavs’ superstar was forcing and pressing a bit too much tonight.
Franciso Elson: Not a big fan of Elson, but another guy who deserves credit. Good energy game. Kept several offensive possessions alive on the glass with offensive rebounds and tap outs of misses. Good energy game tonight on a night when Manu Ginobli was a bit out of control at times (still had 16 points in a so-so performance).
Cleveland Positives:
Drew Gooden: Loved his energy tonight. Played his game and was aggressive and efficient on offense (14 points on 6-of-9 shooting). Needed to play more than 25 minutes tonight, Mike Brown!
Daniel Gibson: Proved me wrong with another big game. No nerves for this rookie, hitting a three-pointer right away upon being inserted in the first half. You’ve got to wonder if Gibson should be inserted into the starting lineup with another strong performance and Larry Hughes continuing to struggle with his injuries.
Sasha Pavlovic: Also loved his energy tonight. Came out aggressive in the first and fourth quarters, and attacked the rim (13 points on 6-for-12 shooting). If he plays this way all series, he’ll be alright. I like this kid’s game. He just needs to be more consistent and play more aggressive throughout his entire time on the floor. Also put Parker to the floor on hard yet clean foul in the first half (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you can’t let Parker do whatever he wants down there). Someone patrol the paint.
Forgettable Game Ones:
Lebron James: OK, he had a bad game tonight for him. I liked how he tried to get his teammates involved early, but he passed up some close shots at the basket to open players. He needs to get started in Game Two by attacking the rim and then working into his jumper. Settled for the jump shot a bit too much tonight and forced some things. He’ll be better in Game Two and ready for a huge performance in Game Three. San Antonio threw a lot at James and he was unable to dominate. He’s a long way from even being close to MJ, but this guy is still amazing for his age. Rough Game One but Cleveland only needs Game Two to steal home-court advantage. A big performance from James could help the Cavs accomplish this goal.
Cleveland Screen-and-Roll Defense: I wrote last night how you’ve got to go under the screen and let Parker beat you with the jump shot. James was the only player who did this, and Parker began to misfire. Hughes struggled with his injury and went over the top too much on the screens, giving Parker an open lane. If Hughes (he only had two points) is this hobbled in Game Two, Gibson needs to get more of his minutes. Brown should adjust and put James on Parker permanently and drive it into his players to have them go under the screen. If Parker hits the jumper consistently, it just isn’t meant to be for the Cavs.
Hughes and Zydrunas Ilgauskas: Both guys were ineffective tonight. Big Z had opportunities early in the first half, but couldn’t convert down low with Duncan and Oberto hovering over him. Hughes does not have the same explosiveness with the partially torn plantar fascia tendon in his left foot.
Cleveland’s Offense: The Cavs were very choppy on offense tonight, from James down the line (with the exception of Gibson, Gooden and sometimes Pavlovic). The Spurs thrive on these types of games and often use big runs to put teams away. Cleveland needs to be more efficient and quicker into getting into their sets in Game Two. James needs to set the tone and go to the hoop, get to the line and open up the jumper for his teammates.
Game One Final Analysis: Cleveland looked like it’s never been to the Finals before and Spurs looked like they have. Typical Spurs’ game. Quick start, sluggish second quarter, third quarter run, and a Game One victory. Here’s hoping this Finals can pick up in scoring, but it doesn’t seem likely with the way both teams grind it out on defense.
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