Coming off an 0-1 day yesterday losing with Sacramento. Today, my focus is on Game 4 of the San Antonio/Los Angeles series.
So far this series has belonged to the home teams as each team has protected it's home court with outright wins as well as wins ATS. As this series began, the Spurs looked like the dominant team with speed, quickness, defense and depth that made the Lakers look old and slow. In Game 3 however, there were some very key adjustments made by the Laker coaching staff, most notably the double teaming of Tony Parker as well as Tim Duncan and sometimes triple teaming Duncan. These adjustments clearly caused a breakdown in the Spurs offense as Parker was picked up quickly on the pick and roll and Duncan was quickly trapped on the block. Both were taken completely out of their offensive rhythm and the supporting cast could not overcome the game plan. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to pound the ball inside to O'Neal for easy dunks and played pick and roll of their own with Payton plus Bryant and Malone looked to each other for easy looks and layups. The result an easy 105-81 win for the Lakers. There was 3 days of rest and preparation between Game 2 and Game 3. This time there is only 1 day between games. Will that be enough time for the Spurs coaching staff to come up with an adjustment to the Laker defensive scheme? Feeling here is that it won't be enough time. Duly respect the Spurs team and it's ability to win and play consistently away from home. That being said however, believe the Lakers have focused properly on the right way to stop the big fundamental as well as the little fundamental and without those two contributing heavily, the Spurs may find things difficult in another important game for the Lakers. Hence,
1* Los Angeles -4.5
Overall Unit Record YTD: (181-147.5)(+33.5) 5*(1-0)(+5.0) 3*(10-6)(+10.2) 1*(146-115-6)(+18.3)
Overall W/L Record YTD: (157-121-6) 56.47%
NBA Regular Season Final Record YTD: (17-12-2)(+5.8)
NBA Playoff Record YTD: (7-7-1)(-0.7)
Plays are rated 1*-5*
Good Luck All.
So far this series has belonged to the home teams as each team has protected it's home court with outright wins as well as wins ATS. As this series began, the Spurs looked like the dominant team with speed, quickness, defense and depth that made the Lakers look old and slow. In Game 3 however, there were some very key adjustments made by the Laker coaching staff, most notably the double teaming of Tony Parker as well as Tim Duncan and sometimes triple teaming Duncan. These adjustments clearly caused a breakdown in the Spurs offense as Parker was picked up quickly on the pick and roll and Duncan was quickly trapped on the block. Both were taken completely out of their offensive rhythm and the supporting cast could not overcome the game plan. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to pound the ball inside to O'Neal for easy dunks and played pick and roll of their own with Payton plus Bryant and Malone looked to each other for easy looks and layups. The result an easy 105-81 win for the Lakers. There was 3 days of rest and preparation between Game 2 and Game 3. This time there is only 1 day between games. Will that be enough time for the Spurs coaching staff to come up with an adjustment to the Laker defensive scheme? Feeling here is that it won't be enough time. Duly respect the Spurs team and it's ability to win and play consistently away from home. That being said however, believe the Lakers have focused properly on the right way to stop the big fundamental as well as the little fundamental and without those two contributing heavily, the Spurs may find things difficult in another important game for the Lakers. Hence,
1* Los Angeles -4.5
Overall Unit Record YTD: (181-147.5)(+33.5) 5*(1-0)(+5.0) 3*(10-6)(+10.2) 1*(146-115-6)(+18.3)
Overall W/L Record YTD: (157-121-6) 56.47%
NBA Regular Season Final Record YTD: (17-12-2)(+5.8)
NBA Playoff Record YTD: (7-7-1)(-0.7)
Plays are rated 1*-5*
Good Luck All.
