| 05 May 2010
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns 110, San Antonio Spurs 102
Much was made about the Phoenix Suns wearing an alternate jersey sporting the "Los Suns" moniker, a tribute to the Latino community that has supported them in the wake of the recent Arizona Immigration Law sb1070. The most foreign element in this series though is that the Suns have a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs. You remember them right? The team that ended three of the last four series runs by Phoenix? Thanks to support from an emerging bench, the Suns united in a 110-102 victory and now have control of the series.
The Game Two win was one of the more unlikely wins by Phoenix. The Spurs seemingly rectified a large amount of the mistakes of Game One and still walked away losers. Tim Duncan had 29 points and 10 rebounds. Tony Parker was Tony Parker, always effective. Richard Jefferson even contributed. The team shot 51 percent to Phoenix's 42. They had nine assists more than the Suns and limited their turnovers and the Suns came out on their home court tight as a dress on Kim Kardashian. So what gives? Well, a lot actually.
Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire have found the pick-and-roll to their liking. San Antonio has not liked defending it. Well I have to assume they don't like it because the only way they could stop Stoudemire from attacking the rim was to send him to the free throw line. It would be a lot easier to guard it if Nash and Stoudemire were the only players on Phoenix scoring. They aren't, which bring me to the next reason Phoenix won. Depth, son.
Phoenix's bench has awakened in a big way. Rip Isiah Thomas all you want but he was on to something when he picked Channing Frye. The Arizona product chopped the Spurs apart from behind the line, hitting five of six threes. He also gave a maximum effort on defense against Tim Duncan.
Jared Dudley has been a little bit of nitrous for Phoenix's engine. A stat line of 11 points and four rebounds may not look like much but he was the difference in this game. When you have a player like that attack the boards and go after every loose ball, it makes his teammates want to do the same thing. Think the opposite of Matt Bonner and you'll get the picture. Sorry, Bon Bon. I know I've been dogging you but you know I'm right.
The two stats of the night are these:
18 to 7. That's the offensive rebounding advantage Phoenix had on San Antonio. If the Spurs let that happen again this series is over.
9-19 to 7-18. The first number is how many threes were made and attempted by Phoenix in relation to the latter of San Antonio's, a stat made even more impressive when you consider Phoenix missed 6 of their first 7 shots from downtown.
Why Phoenix Won
Along with every reason we gave above, It's been quite some time since we saw a Phoenix team this deep. Six players scored in double digits and that's even without scoring contribution from Leandro Barbosa. Where former Suns teams would cower under pressure, this team is filled to the brim with confidence. Nobody is afraid to take a shot and they continue to kill Spurs' runs when they look ready to overtake Phoenix.
The Suns were beasts on the boards and got to the line an eye opening 37 times. That is how you neutralize an opposing team that shoots 51 percent.
Grant Hill, and Shane Battier are my two favorite Duke Blue Devils of all-time, mainly because they're not whiny babies. Hill locked down Manu Ginobili to the best of his ability, which is amazing given Hill's age. He's one of the best stories of the postseason. If only Penny Hardaway could have had the same success coming back from injuries like Hill has. Chris Rock would be making even more money. Lil' Penny, we hardly knew ye.
Why the Spurs Lost
As Manu goes, so go the Spurs. Tim Duncan is the face of the team but their aggression comes from Ginobili. Eight shots in Game Two? Not exactly what the Spurs are looking for. Who else is going to attack the basket besides Tony Parker and George Hill on occasion? Richard Jefferson? Pardon me. I have to laugh for a second. It was good to see Jefferson get a high-flying block on Dudley, even if it was goaltending that the refs missed. Some of the delusional Spurs fans are flipping out on that comment. It happened. Watch the replay. Who am I kidding? If I couldn't convince some that Bruce Bowen kicked Steve Nash in the crotch in the past, what luck do I have now? (Adam's note: Not all Spurs fans are blindly biased. Many of them are pleasant and excellent supporters.)
Someone has to box out for San Antonio immediately. Stoudemire was literally grabbing rebounds from over the guys' heads. The word of the day is effort, my friends down 1-35. Learn it well or I will be running into you when I head to the Riverwalk. And for the love of George Gervin, stop fouling.
Looking Ahead to Game Three
I keep telling myself that there is no way that San Antonio loses at home in Game Three and goes down 0-3. Then again, I also thought San Antonio would win Game Two. In their round one match-up against Dallas, San Antonio showed more composure, balance and timely three-point shooting than the Mavericks. Sigh, memories. Phoenix holds the advantage in all those categories. It's quite the sight to behold. I'm guessing the Spurs will barely win Game 3 based on pride alone. This team has one of the biggest collective hearts I have seen and it won't go down easily. Just watch in the stands and make sure Bruce Bowen or Robert Horry aren't carrying dartguns. You never know. Stranger things have happened.
Prediction: San Antonio wins Game Three
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