At The Hive: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: NHL Free Agency Coverage: NHL Rumors, NHL Signings & Trades


The Spurs in Close-Out Games

The Spurs' dominance of the Western Conference over the last decade hasn't been a good thing for other West teams. Turns out it is a good thing for amateurish bloggers seeking to predict the future. San Antonio has been involved in so many series and so many games (with roughly the "same" team) that we have a decent sample size to work with. How have the Spurs fared in elimination games in the Duncan era? Glad you asked.

2006, WC Semis, Game 5 (trailing 3-1), @ San Antonio, (v. Dallas) WIN

Unable to stop the Mavs' offense all series, the Spurs played some big defense down the stretch to keep their season alive. This was the "Bruce Bowen block" game where he forced a jump ball versus Dirk as the fourth quarter concluded. More notably, Tim Duncan was a monster (36-12) and Tony Parker chipped in 27 (but had 5 turnovers).

2006, WC Semis, Game 6 (trailing 3-2), @ Dallas, WIN

The second of back to back elimination games, SA staved off elimination once more. Jason Terry was suspended for punching Michael Finley in Game 5. Tim Duncan had 24, and 8 and Manu Ginobili picked up for Tony Parker (3-15) by scoring 30.

2006, WC Semis, Game 7 (tied 3-3), @ San Antonio (v. Dallas), LOSS

San Antonio failed to become just the 8th team ever to come back from a 3-1 hole. Despite Duncan's 41 and 15, Parker's 24, and Ginobili's 23, the Spurs fell in OT.

2005 NBA Finals, Game 7 (tied 3-3), @ San Antonio (v. Detroit), WIN

This Finals is frighteningly similar to the current Hornets-Spurs series. For the first four games, the home team won by an average 21 point margin. Then the Robert Horry Game happened (in Detroit, thanks to the 2-3-2 format). Duncan and Ginobili combined for 48 in Game 7 for yet another Spurs' championship. Parker went 3-11 with 8 points.

2004 WC Semis, Game 6 (trailing 3-2), @ Los Angeles, LOSS

Another series that saw the home team win the first 4 with large margins of victory. The Lakers pulled off the roadie in Game 5 and closed the series at home. Duncan was solid (20 and 11) and Ginobili adequate (16, 7, and 4) but Parker delivered 9 on 4 of 18.

Well kids, what have we learned? The Spurs are 3-2 in elimination games (where they can be eliminated) and 2-1 at home (where they'll be tomorrow). Tim Duncan is normally a beast in these games, and Tony Parker has a tendency to disappear. So if we can continue our great defensive work on Timothy and let Tony Parker do what Tony Parker has done... I like our chances.

0 recs | Comment 3 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from At The Hive

About That Call...

May 2008 by atthehive - 2 comments

The Hive Five: Game Ninety-Three

May 2008 by atthehive - 50 comments

Keys to Game 6

May 2008 by atthehive - 3 comments

Comments

Display:

Spurs fan here.

I went to game #2 and game #4 on this list. I’ve witnessed first hand the Spurs avoid elimination on the road and at home. I really see game 6 being the deciding game in this series. Trust me when I say that you do not want to play a game 7 against us. Give us 4 chances to beat you 1 time at the hive and I love our chances. The Spurs knew going into this series that they needed to protect home court and win one on the road. Nothing has changed. I will say that you guys have an outstanding ball club. Game 6 is going to be a battle.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed.

by CMoney on May 14, 2008 11:21 PM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks for the input

And that you went to Game 7 of the finals is cool of epic proportions. I’d honestly give anything to be able to do that (if the Hornets were playing). And I can’t wait until tomorrow, it’s gonna be a battle like you say.

by atthehive on May 14, 2008 11:33 PM CDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

@CMoney, got to agree the Spurs are favored. That said, the Hornets have pulled off some amazing upsets this season that even we true believers couldn’t bee-lieve.

I just hope everyone comes out of the game more or less healthy.

GEAUX HORNETS!

by mattmc89 on May 15, 2008 5:38 AM CDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Charlotte New Orleans Oklahoma City New Orleans Hornets
Start posting about the Hornets »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

3831_8_small
Do we have any chance at all?
Chris_paul_13_small
Hornets Draft Situation
Sundin_and_kes_small
You Will Eat This Up
David_west_small
What went wrong?
Small
Funny Chris Paul videos!
Mj_logo_small
2009 NBA Mock Draft - Version 1.0
324_small
Change is inevitable - thread for trades
My_best_side_small
Bower can't be that blind!
Small
NBA's List of Most Popular Jerseys/Team Merchandise
324_small
ode to the dead - if only we could...

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Managers

Paul_small atthehive

West_head2_small Junsier

Editors

Hldomingue-nola_small hldomingue

Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports