I was hoping all the time off would mean that Splitter was 100% or close to it and that obviously wasn't the case.

I wasn't that worried about the 6 seed, but we aren't gonna be able to do much without Splitter. He's too important.

Yup. Splitter not being Splitter concerns me.

Splitter didn't look all that bad to me last night from a physical standpoint. It's understandable that he's going to be a little rusty and out of game shape but I thought he was running the floor well and getting decent lift. Be interesting to see how much he plays in Game 2.

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I was hoping all the time off would mean that Splitter was 100% or close to it and that obviously wasn't the case.

I wasn't that worried about the 6 seed, but we aren't gonna be able to do much without Splitter. He's too important.

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But, that's just the thing, we win against the Pelicans and splitter can likely rest in the 1st round and we can still get by the Mavs, especially with HCA. Get through them and you can stay home yet again to start round 2. That is a huge advantage over the 6 seed.

Instead we lose that game and fall all the way down and get the physical Clips right out of the gate on their court with no time to rest or heal. That's part of the reason many of us were so concerned about the 6 seed, even though we were shouted down by the pumpers.

Honestly, I would rather have been the 8 seed and play the Warriors right away and get the 4/5 winner in round 2 over this. The draw couldn't have worked out worse for the Spurs. If they make it to the Finals it will be the easiest of the 4 rounds and will represent the best playoff run in Spurs if not NBA history.

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Honestly, I would rather have been the 8 seed and play the Warriors right away and get the 4/5 winner in round 2 over this.

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No.

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If they make it to the Finals it will be the easiest of the 4 rounds

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Also no.

curious how the clippers are going to handle this and can they keep the intensity up each game? If they can, they will blow the doors off the spurs in 5. But that would require a level of intensity, focus, and maturity that they haven't shown. I expect hack-a-jordan in game 2 to throw him off mentally, he is a huge key of their defensive game plan, spurs will be desperate, can clippers match the intensity? will be the deciding factor. if spurs win game 2, they win the series.

Clippers in 4.

I don't think you can completely write the Spurs off even if the Clippers are able to maintain their intensity. We haven't seen the Spurs best ball yet, and even with all that intensity plus playing at home plus it being Tiago's first game back it was a very competitive game that basically came down to who made the shots they ought to make. They did, we didn't, but it's not like SA was unable to generate good looks at the basket. Then we have the battle of adjustments that will start in either game 2 or 3, depending on what Pop wants to do. Lot of basketball yet to be played, and so far all LAC has done is hold serve.

That said, I'm not wildly optimistic and wouldn't be at all surprised if LAC ends up winning the series. Just saying the defending champs have a say in the outcome regardless of what the Clippers do.

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Clippers in 4.

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I don't think you can completely write the Spurs off even if the Clippers are able to maintain their intensity. We haven't seen the Spurs best ball yet, and even with all that intensity plus playing at home plus it being Tiago's first game back it was a very competitive game that basically came down to who made the shots they ought to make. They did, we didn't, but it's not like SA was unable to generate good looks at the basket. Then we have the battle of adjustments that will start in either game 2 or 3, depending on what Pop wants to do. Lot of basketball yet to be played, and so far all LAC has done is hold serve.

That said, I'm not wildly optimistic and wouldn't be at all surprised if LAC ends up winning the series. Just saying the defending champs have a say in the outcome regardless of what the Clippers do.

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clippers have the #1 offense they are going to keep scoring points. The entire key to them winning the series is defense. spurs have a top offense, clippers only middle of the pack. Spurs have to score in this series. That is what would alarm me as spurs fan about game 1, is that the clippers defense was as good and active as it was. They had very good rotations and effort level, better than i have seen them in the past. Now the $1,000,000 question is can they keep it up. I'm not sure. you are right there are many adjustments and options the spurs can make to throw the clippers off. hack-a-jordan is one i expect. maybe more post-ups for duncan and less parker pick-and-roll if he is going to be limited. Also popovich needs to tighten his bench. It is the playoffs and the clippers are good. 11 guys should not be getting 11+ minutes. Leonard nees to play 40 minutes, danny green 38, duncan 36, etc. also if game 1 is any indication, spurs need to go small with duncan at 5 and kawhi at 4 and tape baynes and splitter to the bench, jordan was not respecting them and he can keep flying around providing help causing chaos. He can't do that if he has to guard duncan. good discussion. i expect very desperate spurs team in game 2, can clippers match and adjust?

It's pretty clear the Clippers game plan is to park DeAndre down in the paint. They gave up the three to Diaw last night and I'm sure they will keep giving him that look. If Splitter continues to be limited and struggling, then I wouldn't be surprised to see Pop do what he did against OKC in the playoffs last year and insert Diaw or Bonner into the starting lineup. We would obviously be giving up some defensively by doing this but Pop might find it necessary and worth it if it opens up the floor and creates space in the middle. Very similar to what we had to do against OKC and Ibaka in last years post-season.

I don't think this change will be made in Game 2 but if we drop that game then I wouldn't be shocked to see this change in Game 3. I do have faith in Boris knocking down that three ball though. He's been struggling with it all season but I think he will knock a few down in Game 2 when given the opportunity.

You're damn right, Doc.

GAMEDAY BALA GAMEDAY!

BTHOlac!!!!

You guys were right. Dwight is looking like a poor mans Tiago Splitter.

GO SPURS GO!!!!!!

Go Spurs!

Go Spurs Go!

GSG!!!

I am getting a little nervous for this game. Spurs need to catch fire tonight and remind the league who the champs are.. GO SPURS GO!

Game day!

Death.
Taxes.
You know the rest!

GSG

SPURS

HATE playing West Coast teams. GSG

Go Spurs Go!

Spoiler alert: Clippers win again.

We win tonight convincingly.

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^^
Sig bet?

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sure

GSG!!!

Officials for tonight:

Joey Crawford
Ron Garretson
Sean Wright