That should obviously say why let manu take his 5th.

Tony just can't get past any defenders, and neither can Ginobli. We dont really have anyone that can run the pick and roll right now. I think if Tony can figure out a way to get healthy, then he can still do it and showed he can the last 1.5 months of the season. For that reason, I think you start Patty and try to save Tony's legs as much as possible. Bring Tony in with the second group to run that offense.

Im worried that at some point, Ginobli is going to have one of those 7 turnover games. He just can't keep coming off high screens and do the falling back throw it across court pass over n over again. I couldn't believe noone was jumping that last night.

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Yay! I'll be watching this one!

I saw 500 new replies and got concerned.

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You're up at 4 am and didn't watch?

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Driving 4 hours starting at 4:45, half of which on crappy oilfield roads requires sleep the night before. Trust me, I would rather have watched the game.

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One thing I still can't believe from that game---why the hell was Pop letting Duncan take all those fouls?

The first couple I understood. But once he's up to about 3 fouls (and he's obviously the best player on the floor at the time), let someone else foul (Matt Bonner / Danny Green perhaps).

That seemed like a brain fart on Pop's part.

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You definitely didn't want him and Manu picking up 4, 5, or 6 doing Hack-a-Dre'. Questionable decision-making there.

The hack a Jordan strategy is obviously negated when you are giving up offensive rebounds. During that stretch we couldn't get a favorable bounce and the Clips were just more aggressive.

If you take out the second chance points, then it would have been a much more successful strategy during that stretch.

I also don't like the strategy because I think it breaks up the Spurs rhythm on offense , but it is one of those strategies that you either believe in and employ or you don't. If you believe in it, then you stick with it and role with the consequences. Pop seems to embrace it and to give up on it, simply because you can't block out or because the Spurs are missing wide open shots, isn't consistent with the reasons Pop is using the strategy in the first place.

I think the Jordan strategy only works if the Clippers are forced to take him out of the game by it. As said, when your giving up rebound after rebound like its game 6 against the Heat, its just punishing us. Not only are we all getting in foul trouble, but were putting them in the bonus, so every time we get any tacky foul called on us, their shooting free throws.

I think Pop does that in anticipation of the last half/late game rally that he expects every home team to make. If they come back 1 point at a time instead of huge 3s and slamming alley oops, it takes a little of the energy out of the comeback.

Maybe Doc would have pulled Jordan if they hadn't been cleaning up on the boards.

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Reggie Miller is killing me.

For the first time in my life I have the sudden urge to binge watch every Spike Lee movie.

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The Hack-a-Jordan would have clearly worked if the Spurs would have rebounded the ball. It clearly didn't have much if any positive impact because of all the second chance opportunities the Spurs were giving up. Pop also racked up fouls on his stars which ended up not playing much of a factor but it could have turned out differently.

The way the officials are letting those teams ram inside for an offensive board off a free throw miss should have led to Pop saving the hack-a-jordan for a different day IMO.

But at the end of the day, Pop won the game sooooo yeah.

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I am as worried about Parker as I am excited about Timmy's performance last night.

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Shouldn't be a surprise to any of us who have watched this year. Parker just doesn't have it this season for whatever reason. He can keep claiming injuries, and I am sure that's part of it but this isn't a surprising development. He'll probably bounce back with a 20 pt performance in game 3 and then disappear for another two games like he's been doing all season long. Patty obviously needs more minutes and it's going to be on Pop, not Tony, if Tony is still running out there for extended minutes when he's clearly not the best option at times.

Danny Green playing less than 30 minutes last night is a f'n travesty. He is our best CP3 defender and did an incredible job on him when he was in the game. The two guard is our deepest position and all three guys bring positives but Green has to play more. He can play Paul as well as anyone in the entire NBA and he was 3/4 from long distance last night.

Green was intimidated by Jordan in the 1st half and was playing scared. He also missed a defensive rotation or two. Pop has no sympathy for either of those.

I think that having both Green and Mills hitting big shots down the stretch and having really good second halves will pay huge dividends in San Antonio. I bet we see the 3pt % climb drastically at home with all the great looks we are getting.

Danny is a fantastic defender, but he missed open looks, he took some weak ass sheit to the rim and got scared of Jordan, and then missed defensive rotations. Pop isn't going to let him get sloppy. It was a wake up call.

Having Parker and/or Belinelli on Paul is a recipe for disaster. Green is one of the best defenders in the NBA when going against smaller/quicker guards. Opposite of Kawhi. Green has to play more. Love Belinelli, and the guy is cold-blooded. Hit a huge shot at the end of regulation but Pop cannot be running him out there that much in a series like this. He's a below average borderline awful defender who cannot guard one on one and is consistently late at getting out on shooters.

Homecourt will be huge for 3PT% I think. Once they really start falling we'll be able to build good leads and hopefully sustain them.

As usual, a very good post game wrap up from PtR. I particularly liked this quote.

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He had his way with Defensive Player of the Year candidate DeAndre Jordan in the post, and though the Jordan block late in the game will make the highlights, it was the exception rather than the rule (which might be a decent metaphor for the Clippers in general).

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http://www.poundingtherock.com/2015/4/23/8477341/nba-playoffs-2015-spurs-outlast-clippers-in-game-2

Might be wishful thinking but I am really hoping we can get out to and sustain a sizable lead next game. I'm not feeling great about Timmy having to go 44 minutes last night. He's really the least of my worries at this point but it would still be nice to see him be able to "take a game off" so to speak.

If Green would stop making dumb mistakes on defense early and get his wide open 3s to fall early, Pop probably would play him more. His lack of first half production has been a problem so far. He is one of those guys who always seems to play better at home though. You're right though, I think he needs more minutes as well. But if he's going to miss open looks, I see why pop would go to Marco.

The Hack a Jordan makes no sense when you are up by 8 with four minutes left though. Jordan should average about 1 point per possession if he's hacked. The clippers average a little over that with their regular offense (not going to look it up but let's just say 1.1 points per possession), but with four minutes left allowing them to score after using only 2-3 seconds of the shot clock, instead of 15-24 seconds, is a big disadvantage to the spurs. Down by 8 with 4 minutes left, anything that increases variance of the game goes in the Clipps favor, so they will gladly take the Spurs fouling after 2 seconds even if they are giving up a little equity in points per possession.

I love the strategy when you are down, or even when you are tied, because it prolongs the game and gives you more opportunities to win. I just hate it when you have a fairly large lead and there are only 4 minutes left. Plus, as others have pointed out, the foul trouble and the rebounding are other reasons to not employ it last night.

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The Hack a Jordan makes no sense when you are up by 8 with four minutes left though. Jordan should average about 1 point per possession if he's hacked. The clippers average a little over that with their regular offense (not going to look it up but let's just say 1.1 points per possession), but with four minutes left allowing them to score after using only 2-3 seconds of the shot clock, instead of 15-24 seconds, is a big disadvantage to the spurs. Down by 8 with 4 minutes left, anything that increases variance of the game goes in the Clipps favor, so they will gladly take the Spurs fouling after 2 seconds even if they are giving up a little equity in points per possession.

I love the strategy when you are down, or even when you are tied, because it prolongs the game and gives you more opportunities to win. I just hate it when you have a fairly large lead and there are only 4 minutes left. Plus, as others have pointed out, the foul trouble and the rebounding are other reasons to not employ it last night.

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Disagree completely. If you're worried about the Clipps getting hot and making a run, it's the perfect time to do it. Breaks up their offensive rhythm. Keeps the crowd and refs under control.

The numbers bear out the same on paper, rather you are ahead, behind or even. You either believe in the strategy or you don't.

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Hey now, this is the guy who came up with classic pejoratives like Tony ParKerrville and Aron Baynesucks.

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Hmm, that wasn't me.

Glad we went with series, Obi! Congrats on the win, Spurs. I checked out after the 1st quarter. Too late for me. Wow, the Clippers have a crap bench, huh?

Last night I couldn't help but think about last year. Even if we eventually lose, last year was still the icing on the cake. Another championship would be awesome... fantastic... but I'm pretty sure last year was as good as it gets!

Only thing better for me would be a Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl (I'd probably cry a little) or a National Title for the Ags (I'd break my left thumb into a permanent Gig'em!).

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Last night I couldn't help but think about last year. Even if we eventually lose, last year was still the icing on the cake. Another championship would be awesome... fantastic... but I'm pretty sure last year was as good as it gets!

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Duncan will get his 6th ring. He is determined. He showed that last night.

There was one point in the game where Timmy appeared to either slap the floor or slap his hands together in frustration. At that point I knew we were gonna see something special from him.

He wants that ring just as badly as last year.

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Duncan will get his 6th ring.

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LOL. Not this year. Look, the Spurs may win this series, but does anyone really believe that Golden State won't win the West?

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Duncan will get his 6th ring.

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LOL. Not this year. Look, the Spurs may win this series, but does anyone really believe that Golden State won't win the West?

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I absolutely believe the Spurs can beat the Warriors. Especially if Tony can figure out a way to get healthy again. But even without him improving, I think we can beat them.

I believe that IF the Spurs face Golden State, they have a legit chance to win. I'd still pick Golden State, but the Spurs would have more than just a punchers chance.

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He wants that ring just as badly as last year.

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I don't doubt it... but as I fan I am personally content either way. I was way more stressed out in the Mavs series last year. They literally took us to the brink. Last night was a nail biter for sure, but I wasn't too worked up about it.

And it could happen, but right now I'm with the guy above... I'll assume this is Golden State's year until they are beaten. They are ridiculous when they are on their game (much in the same way there Spurs were simply unbeatable last year when they brought their A game).

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Duncan will get his 6th ring.

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LOL. Not this year. Look, the Spurs may win this series, but does anyone really believe that Golden State won't win the West?

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T&P Mavs fans.

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There was one point in the game where Timmy appeared to either slap the floor or slap his hands together in frustration. At that point I knew we were gonna see something special from him.

He wants that ring just as badly as last year.

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Yep. He played with emotion - I loved it.

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Duncan will get his 6th ring.

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LOL. Not this year. Look, the Spurs may win this series, but does anyone really believe that Golden State won't win the West?

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T&P Mavs fans.

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Well, I looked it up, and was surprised to see that the Spurs went 2-1 against GS this season.

That said, they won't win this series (or the next against Houston), so it's a moo point.

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Duncan will get his 6th ring.

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LOL. Not this year. Look, the Spurs may win this series, but does anyone really believe that Golden State won't win the West?

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T&P Mavs fans.

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Well, I looked it up, and was surprised to see that the Spurs went 2-1 against GS this season.

That said, they won't win this series (or the next against Houston), so it's a moo point.

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so it's a moo point.

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Moo points