Parker's Spurs Outmatch the Cavaliers as Three-Headed Monster Prevails 103-92

The hype was on Cavaliers' forward Lebron James going into this 2007 NBA Finals series, but in Game 2 Lebron played flat for three quarters and made a "too little too late" rally in the fourth to finish with 25 points. He missed several free throws, actually airballing one in the second quarter.

The real story in Sunday night's game was the Spurs' three-pronged attack of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Even Michael Jordan in his prime could have stumbled against this powerful trio. The Spurs simply outmatched the Cavs, as Duncan, Parker and Ginobili each finished with over 20 points for a total of 78 points. Parker led with 30. Spurs' forward Robert Horry also finished with an impressive 5 blocked shots.

The Spurs may not have been the most exciting or dramatic team coming into this year's series, but they're certainly a well-oiled and super-efficient scoring machine. With the quick Tony Parker driving into the lane scoring over defenders, Tim Duncan inside grabbing rebounds and putting shots back up, and Ginobili coming off the bench drilling shots with precision, the Spurs overwhelmed the younger Cavaliers. Tony Parker put to rest any question of whether he can perform in the postseason, leading his team to victory.

According to the Houston Chronicle online, the Spurs set the tone and held the lead from the very first few minutes in this second home game in San Antonio. The Spurs came out hitting over fifty percent of their shots and winning the first half 58 to 33. Parker and Duncan both outscored and outshot the Cavs' highest scorer James in the first half, with Parker going 7 for 11 for an impressive 16 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds.

Robert Horry also made a strong non-scoring contribution in the first half, coming off the bench to grab 9 rebounds and block an amazing 3 shots. The Cavaliers played most of the first quarter without their star James, who was benched after picking up two early personal fouls.

Cleveland simply didn't have the match-ups to guard and contain Duncan, Parker, or Ginobili, not to mention Horry off the bench. Coach Mike Jones actually had his best player Lebron James guarding the lightning-fast Tony Parker for much of the game. James was guarding the fastest player on the defensive end and going up against defensive specialist Bruce Bowen on the offensive end, giving him no chance to rest.

With 4:53 remaining in the game, the Cavaliers did make a 22-4 run early in the fourth quarter. The Cavs brought the game to within 9 points and temporarily made the sell-out San Antonio home crowd nervous, but it was "too little too late."

Game 3 will be on Tuesday night in Cleveland. Cleveland will have 3 home games and 3 chances to make a comeback in this series, in which they are now down 0-2. A comeback is not impossible, but is more unlikely than it was against the Pistons, because of the trio of Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili. The Cavs simply have to find a way to match up with these three stars, without tiring their leading scorer Lebron James or causing him to pick up costly fouls. Coach Mike Brown will have to dig into his bench and see who he can rely on to guard these players.

Sources:

"Spurs Lead Cavs by 25 at Half of Game 2," The Houston Chronicle, URL: (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/basketball/4877984.html)