Jazz vs. Spurs: Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis for Game 1

With the 106-91 drubbing in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs between the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz out of the way, it's time to get to the heart of the series.

To those who thought this series would disappoint, you were sadly mistaken.

San Antonio may have walked away with the victory to open the playoffs, but Utah stayed in the battle almost the whole time. That is something to build on moving forward.

Tweets of the Night

Parody account Not Bill Walton breaks down how the game will unfold in only a way that he can:

"

The fundamentally boring Spurs vs the dull playing Jazz. If this wasn't bad enough, Doris Burke is commentating. Oh, the humanity!

— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) April 29, 2012"

NBA player Anthony Parker talks about the game and how the Jazz weren't going down easy:

"

At @NBATV studio watching Spurs v Jazz!Jazz playing well keeping things close!

— Anthony Parker (@_AnthonyParker) April 29, 2012"

The NBA Finals Twitter account reports Tony Parker's very impressive stat line at halftime:

"

Tony Parker has 16 points and six assists at the break and the Spurs lead the Jazz 54-47.

— The Finals (@nbathefinals) April 29, 2012"

Internet sensation Jose 3030 says exactly what fans were thinking as the game carried on long:

"

Can this Jazz / Spurs game end please?

— 3030 (@jose3030) April 29, 2012"

NBA Insider Ric Bucher reports how he saw the game:

"

For a young team and a young coach, Jazz huddles are remarkably low-key. Spurs, by comparison, far more animated. This game, anyway.

— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) April 29, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

If you didn't see it, the ever-talented Manu Ginobili had a mental lapse on Sunday when attacking the hoop on the fast break. Watch as the standard dunk just won't go—it's very funny.

While Tim Duncan has led the Spurs for a long time, Tony Parker has undoubtedly taken command. Add in talents that allow him to do circus acts like the following basket, and there is no doubt who is in charge in San Antonio.

Grades for Key Spurs Players

Manu Ginobili: B

While this was not, by no stretch of the imagination, the Spurs shooting guard's best game, Ginobili buckled down on defense and was a big part of the effort at both ends of the court. As much as Ginobili’s shooting was off, he didn't let it affect him defensively.

That's called leadership.

Tony Parker: A

After going off to the tune of 28 points, there is no doubt who the leader on this Spurs team is nowadays. Add in the eight assists and four rebounds, and this was Tony Parker’s chance to show the NBA how good he really is.

Grades for Key Jazz Players

Al Jefferson: C

From the pre-show on, the talk was about how the Jazz would lean on Al Jefferson, their man in the low post.

While Jefferson was his normal self, grabbing rebounds and dishing passes, his shooting was not great. The team needed more from the center, but he couldn't deliver on Sunday.

Gordon Hayward: A

Many NBA experts were talking about how shooting guard Gordon Hayward couldn't make it in the league a year ago, but now he is trying to make a difference for his team. As bad as his shooting was, any good player can get his points by utilizing the free-throw line.

That's what Hayward can do almost as well as any player in the league.

Game MVP: Tony Parker, PG (San Antonio)

 

Parker led the team in minutes with 36, points with 28 and assists with eight. His four rebounds had him tied for third on the team.

With all that productivity against the Jazz, there is no question that Tony Parker is the MVP of Game 1.

What's Next?

With San Antonio taking the series lead at 1-0, the pressure will fall on the shoulders of the Utah Jazz heading into Game 2. The Spurs play as good of a team defense as any team in the NBA, so if the Jazz want to make a series comeback by winning in San Antonio, they need to bring their best for all of Game 2

As good as Utah has been over the course of the season, the Spurs have the talent and depth at both ends of the court to outlast the Jazz. San Antonio will sweep the Jazz.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA Page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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