Manu Ginobili Finds Stroke as Spurs Pound Lakers in Game Three

Home sweet home.  That is what San Antonio must have been thinking when got back to Texas after game two.  They played inspired basketball and drubbed the Lakers 103-84 in game three of their seven game series. 

Manu Ginobili led the charge with 30 points, including a barrage of three pointers.

He has become the central figure on the Spurs because they can't seem to win when he doesn't play well.  San Antonio's big three all had good games, and their defense got back on track as well. 

Tim Duncan had a monster game with 22 points and 21 rebounds and once again out-played Pau Gasol.

With the Spurs trailing early, it was Ginobili who hit a couple of three's to keep San Antonio close and change the momentum. 

Kobe Bryant was his usual spectacular self, especially late when he tried to single-handedly bring the Lakers back, but it was too little too late.

San Antonio executed their game plan on defense as they kept Kobe off the foul line and made the league MVP work for his 30 points (23 shots). 

The Spurs kept him from being a facilitator and held him to one assist and made the other Lakers work hard for their shots.

Lamar Odom struggled for L.A., and he never got on track.  He was 3-8 from the foul line and 2-11 from the field. 

San Antonio knows that Kobe cannot win the series by himself, so it is imperative that they shut down Odom and take him out of the equation. 

The Spurs really don't have anyone with Odom's size and skill level that can effectively guard him one on one and keep him off the boards, so it will have to be a team effort.

Kurt Thomas has the experience to deal with him on his post-ups but would struggle from the perimeter.  I liked the fact that Brent Barry got significant minutes and hit a couple of three pointers. 

It is important that San Antonio have shooters on the floor at all times, so that the Lakers pay when they decide to double Duncan.

The Spurs’ entire bench was energized, as they rebounded and defended well and kept Los Angeles at bay. 

Chances are we know that Duncan will dominate his match-up.  If Parker is aggressive, then he will be effective, but the Spurs are in big trouble if Ginobili doesn't show up. 

He was their leading scorer during the year, and he has to contribute for the Spurs to beat a very good Laker team.

He doesn't have to score 30 every game, but he has to show up.  He showed up in a big way in game three.  Let's hope this is a foreshadowing of things to come for the Spurs.