Spurs-Hornets: San Antonio Must Slow Down Chris Paul

The next series for San Antonio against the Hornets presents different challenges.  For starters, New Orleans is more defensive minded than the Suns are, and they have enough big bodies to throw at Tim Duncan.

They split the season series with the Spurs this year, but as we all know, this is the playoffs. You can't predict the outcome of playoff games strictly by using regular season games as a gauge. 

Let’s see how the teams actually match up.

Chris Paul vs. Tony Parker/Bruce Bowen

Chris Paul is as important to his team as any other player in the league.  He sets the tempo, sets up his teammates, scores, and plays defense.  He also averages 2.71 steals per game. 

San Antonio will not be able to completely shut him down, but they have to limit the amount of damage he inflicts.  They must force Paul to be strictly a scorer, so the rest of his team can’t feed off of him.

That’s easier said than done, but Gregg Popovich will find a way, and his players will execute it.

David West vs. Fabricio Oberto/Kurt Thomas

This is a matchup that New Orleans must exploit in order for them to win.  David West is an All-Star and can get his own shots off the dribble.  He will be a much tougher guard than any of Phoenix’s bigs.

Thomas will have to rely on his veteran savvy when he is matched up against West. 

Tim Duncan vs. Tyson Chandler

Chandler will be a lot more active on defense than Shaq was, but the downside to that is that he tends to get in foul trouble.  In light of that, how the Hornets choose to defend Duncan will be a key. 

They need Chandler on the floor to defend the paint against Parker and Manu Ginobili as they try to get to the rim.  Advantage Spurs.

Peja Stojakovic vs. Michael Finley/Bruce Bowen

The Spurs need to know where Stojakovic is at all times on the perimeter.  He is especially elusive in transition because Paul draws the defenders and finds Stojakovic all alone for uncontested threes. 

Finley will have to force Peja to defend him and make him a liability on that side of the ball.  The Spurs are confident that when Bowen is guarding Peja he will get the job done.  That is what Bowen does.  If the Spurs are focused mentally in this regard this will be a favorable matchup for them.

Morris Peterson vs. Michael Finley

Morris Peterson has played well so far in the playoffs, but he was pretty average against the Spurs in the regular season.  He played 20 minutes a game and averaged six points in those contests.  

Finley is a savvy veteran who, as we saw against the Suns, is capable of hitting big shots in pressure situations.  Peterson has size at 6-foot-7, so it won’t be easy for Finley to have his way, but San Antonio does have an edge here.

Benches

Jannero Pargo has thrived coming off the bench and spelling Paul.  He had a great series against Dallas and elevated his play.

If he can continue his aggressive play, he will be a problem for San Antonio.  Bonzi Wells is also capable of providing instant offense for the Hornets. 

Julian Wright will be a factor because of his defense.  He may be asked to slow Ginobili down. If he can do that, the Hornets have an excellent chance to win. 

There is no better sixth man in the league than Manu Ginobili.  He will get a lot of minutes and do his usual amount of damage. 

Kurt Thomas will provide defense and rebounding as well and will get his turn dealing with David West.

Brent Barry and Ime Udoka add depth to the Spurs bench, and Udoka has added a spark every time he has come into the game in these playoffs.    

The Hornets are looking to usher in their own era of dominance and phase out the oldest team left in the playoffs.

The Hornets believe it is their time, but the Spurs have proven over and over that they will not be denied in the playoffs.  I think they get it done in this series as well.

Paul will play well, but the Spurs will win in six games.