Spurs Dig In On Defense, Eliminate Suns

The Spurs put Phoenix out of their misery in Game 5 on Tuesday, 92-87.  The game was nip and tuck through out, but it was evident in the last three minutes of the game who the better team was.

Tony Parker finished with 31 points and 8 assists.  Even though his jumper was off for just about the whole game, he hit a key jump shot at the end to help win the game.  He did most of his damage going to the basket as usual.

Tim Duncan played tough and inspiring basketball and hurt Phoenix to the tune of 29 points and 17 rebounds.

Boris Diaw led the Suns with 22 points and 8 rebounds.  Amare Stoudemire, who has been their leading scorer in this series, didn't seem like his head was in the game in the second half and wasn't much of a factor.

These are the type of games San Antonio thrives in.  Nip and tuck struggles where they are not operating at full efficiency on offense, but their defense and game strategy keep them in the game. 

Manu Ginobili was not much of a factor because of foul trouble, and good defense being played on him.  The Suns couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to win this game.  Michael Finley was not a factor, Ginobili couldn't score, and the Spurs struggling to find points.

Once again, Gregg Popovich's game strategy didn't allow the Suns to get into any rhythm on offense.  He used the hack-a-Shaq to perfection and O'Neal cooperated by only hitting 9 of 20 foul shots.  Mike D'Antoni needed to adjust his strategy get Shaq out of the game when the Spurs started to foul him.

Phoenix also chose to run a lot of their offense through Boris Diaw, instead of featuring Nash and Stoudemire.  Many of the Suns hinted after the game that they were out coached, and were not used to much of the offense going through Diaw, especially since they that is not how they are used to playing.

The Suns made 4 crucial turnovers down the stretch that did them in.  Nash made 2 of them, and Diaw threw the ball out of bounds at a crucial time as well.  The difference in this game was the difference in the series.  San Antonio is more disciplined, tougher, and they know how to finish games.

Phoenix must come to the realization that they cannot win a championship the way they are constructed, and with their run and gun style.  They have some hard decisions to make about their players.  Shaq and Nash are not getting any younger.

 The Spurs move on and look like they will be favorites to make it to the conference championship series.  The forgotten team in the West is forgotten no more.  The other teams left in the playoffs now remember that the San Antonio Spurs are the defending champions, and that they will be the toughest out in the playoffs.