Monday Playoff Basketball: 2 Game 7's

[Tinfish]

Spurs/Mavs
This should be a great game. Getting Terry back is enormous. So many things will be different than Game 6. The offensive spacing being the biggest. Having him in there opens up the entire offense. When he's out, everything is clogged, and Dirk's opportunities suffer. He commands defensive respect, and Dallas needs him to do that tonight. Parker was able to lay off Harris and dare him to shoot, and it resulted in a nightmare game for Harris. He had a deer in the headlights look for alot of that game, dribbling outta control and going way too fast. He should be more calm tonight I guess. My concern for Terry is that he comes out TOO emotional and tried to do too much, resulting in turnovers and general ineffectiveness. Stackhouse can return to his normal role of the bench. We saw last game how uncomfortable he is starting. With him back to the bench, that adds the offensive spark back to Dallas' bench. For Dallas, it's just a matter of execution. They have the offensive talent to win at San Antonio. Can they get the stops they need? That remains to be seen. Dirk says they need to step up defensively and he's right. On the Spurs side of things, we know the keys. Parker and Duncan have to both play better than last game. Manu and Finley can't do it all again. Parker needs to be brilliant, on both ends of the floor. He needs to make up for last game. Duncan needs to make his foul shots. And Ginobli needs to show the fire he showed in Game 6. The game is gonna be great, how much more can we analyze this matchup. Dallas needs to execute and do what they've done all year. Spurs need to use their experience and homecourt to overcome a team that might be a tad better than them. Should be a helluva game. Will be close all game.

Leans: Dallas +4

Clipps/Phoenix
Should be another great game. The possible return of Thomas is an enormous factor in this game. If he can only play 10 minutes, than not really. But if he can give them 25+ minutes of defense and rebounding and toughness, that is a HUUUUUGE factor against Brand. I think it's clear that Clippers are the more complete team, with more weapons. You see the strategy on offense. Post up whoever Nash is guarding, and expose the fuck out of him. Ross torched him for 16 in the 1H last game. Cassell is a leader and he has tons of experience, and he will be huge tonight. He won't let his team get down or quit or get overly nervous. That's what leaders do. The strategy of course is to go to Brand. Maggette I think might decide this game. When he looks like a superstar, they are too much for Phoenix. When he disappears, they're vulnerable. On the Phoenix side, I think the rest was huge. Nash is a broken down player, and Matrix was dinged up too. Dantoni and Nash both now are saying Nash looks alot better after the 3 days off. Clipps may get fucked by the rest, because they had Phoenix exhausted. Of course, the rest was good for the 36-year-old Alien too. But Phoenix is going into this game basically with 6 guys, with Jones doing nothing anymore. The 5 starters and Barbosa, they'll live by them and die by them. They need to make their threes, pure and simple. Start out hot, get the crowd into it, make Clipps come from behind all night. Should be a great game. No plays on this game yet, still exploring options.