NBA 2010 Playoff Predictions: Suns vs. Spurs Game 2

The Phoenix Suns defeated the San Antonio Spurs by a score of 111-102 in game 1 of their 2010 second-round playoff series. Led by two-time league MVP guard Steve Nash, who sliced and diced his way to 33 points and 10 assists, the Suns avoided an opening game loss to a Spurs team that was riding the momentum of a first-round elimination of the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

Nash on Fire

Steve Nash was unquestionably the best player on the court Monday night, as the Spurs simply had no answer for the Suns point guard. Starting the game with a 17-point first quarter, Nash seemed to get to the rim at will, regardless of which Spur was assigned to him throughout the night. The Spurs attempted several adjustments, but simply could not slow down the Suns all-star. Though the game was competitive throughout, the Suns had a clear advantage in their transition game, which was fueled by several steals and strong defensive rebounding.

With a game 1 loss that resembled their first game against the Mavericks in round one, the Big Three of Tim Duncan (20 points, 11 rebounds), Manu Ginobili (27 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals) and Tony Parker (26 points) all played well. Unfortunately, they were not enough to produce a win against their playoff rival. Where the Spurs suffered was in the play of their supporting cast, who combined for a meager 29 points and several turnovers. George Hill, who had a great impact in the first round series, was essentially neutralized by the Suns in this first game of the series. Guard Tony Parker provided a much needed spark for the Spurs, as he came started the second half of the game, but the Suns were able to hold on.

For the Spurs to take this next game, they will need to make four key adjustments. A veteran team with a veteran coach, the Spurs are more than capable of fine tuning their game plan, and addressing some of the needs evidenced by their game 1 loss. Game 2 on Wednesday night provides them with a chance to bounce back from this opening game defeat.

Keys to Victory in Game 2 for the San Antonio Spurs.

1. Start Tony Parker and bring George Hill off the bench. Parker's penetration off the dribble pressures Stave Nash and the Phoenix defense in a way that Hill does not. For the Spurs to be dangerous, they need a confident, attacking, Tony Parker.

2. Improve bench play. Between Blair, Bonner and Roger Mason the Spurs got virtually nothing from their bench in Game 1. That needs to change if the Spurs plan on competing with a deep, talented Suns team...

3. More from Richard Jefferson. The Spurs need to see Jefferson emerge as a true scoring option and defensive stopper. For the Spurs to win, they will need to see the Richard Jefferson of old, not the one who showed up in Game 1. We know that Jefferson is capable of scoring, and though he has yet to gel with the Spurs team concept, he still has enough skill and ability to contribute beyond his game 1 output. Jefferson can be a difference-maker.

4. The Spurs will also need to get quality three-point shooting. One of the staples of past Spurs success has been their ability to penetrate and dish for wide open three-point attempts. The penetration is still there, but the consistency from three point range has fallen. With the exception of George Hill, the Spurs have not received the kind of perimeter support that they will need to prevent the Suns from doubling down and playing the passing lanes.

The good news for Spurs fans is that the game was competitive right down to the wire. Playing your chief rival on their home court is a daunting task, but the veteran Spurs have been here before. Victory is well within their grasp if they are able to re-focus, find a way to get the supporting cast involved, and reduce the number of mental mistakes in Wednesday night's important Game 2 in Phoenix. Time will tell how this group of Spurs respond to these challenges.

Prediction: Spurs by 8

SOURCES

NBA.com
Foxnews.com
Businessweek.com