A position-by-position look at the matchups in the NBA finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.
CENTER: Fabricio Oberto vs. Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
The Spurs rarely run plays for Oberto, but he makes the most of his chances, shooting 67 percent in the postseason.
Ilgauskas, still one of the best offensive centers in the Eastern Conference, is shooting 52.5 percent in the playoffs.
Edge: Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cavs)
POWER FORWARD: Tim Duncan vs. Drew Gooden.
A three-time NBA finals MVP, Duncan has been at the top of his game in this postseason, averaging 23.2 points and 11.4 rebounds while shooting 53.9 percent from the field and playing excellent defense.
Can Gooden bothered Duncan?
Edge: Tim Duncan (Spurs)
SMALL FORWARD: Bruce Bowen vs. LeBron James.
Bowen is one of the NBA's top perimeter defenders and has agitated a number of offensive stars with his tactics.
James is superb offensive player, can Bowen guard him well?
Edge: LeBron James (Cavs)
SHOOTING GUARD: Michael Finley vs. Sasha Pavlovic.
Finley is still a dangerous outside shooter who fits in perfectly with the veteran Spurs.
Pavlovic averaged 16 points in the first two games of the East semifinals, but his game has stalled since.
Edge: Michael Finley (Spurs)
POINT GUARD: Tony Parker vs. Larry Hughes.
Parker ability to break down defenses and set up San Antonio's 3-point shooters opens things up for Duncan, and his own jumper has become more reliable.
Hughes will try to contain him on a sore foot and hope to provide some offense at the same time, but his shot has been shaky in the postseason.
Edge: Tony Parker (Spurs)
RESERVES: Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry, Brent Barry, Jacque Vaughn and Francisco Elson -vs.- Varejao, Gibson, Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones and Eric Snow.
The Cavs' best lineup might be when they have Varejao on the floor for energy and rebounding, along with Gibson and Marshall or Jones for perimeter shooting.
Ginobili is one of the NBA's top sixth men, playing starter's minutes. Barry and Horry, a clutch postseason performer, must be watched around the 3-point line.
Edge: Spurs
COACHES: Gregg Popovich vs. Mike Brown.
CENTER: Fabricio Oberto vs. Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
The Spurs rarely run plays for Oberto, but he makes the most of his chances, shooting 67 percent in the postseason.
Ilgauskas, still one of the best offensive centers in the Eastern Conference, is shooting 52.5 percent in the playoffs.
Edge: Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cavs)
POWER FORWARD: Tim Duncan vs. Drew Gooden.
A three-time NBA finals MVP, Duncan has been at the top of his game in this postseason, averaging 23.2 points and 11.4 rebounds while shooting 53.9 percent from the field and playing excellent defense.
Can Gooden bothered Duncan?
Edge: Tim Duncan (Spurs)
SMALL FORWARD: Bruce Bowen vs. LeBron James.
Bowen is one of the NBA's top perimeter defenders and has agitated a number of offensive stars with his tactics.
James is superb offensive player, can Bowen guard him well?
Edge: LeBron James (Cavs)
SHOOTING GUARD: Michael Finley vs. Sasha Pavlovic.
Finley is still a dangerous outside shooter who fits in perfectly with the veteran Spurs.
Pavlovic averaged 16 points in the first two games of the East semifinals, but his game has stalled since.
Edge: Michael Finley (Spurs)
POINT GUARD: Tony Parker vs. Larry Hughes.
Parker ability to break down defenses and set up San Antonio's 3-point shooters opens things up for Duncan, and his own jumper has become more reliable.
Hughes will try to contain him on a sore foot and hope to provide some offense at the same time, but his shot has been shaky in the postseason.
Edge: Tony Parker (Spurs)
RESERVES: Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry, Brent Barry, Jacque Vaughn and Francisco Elson -vs.- Varejao, Gibson, Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones and Eric Snow.
The Cavs' best lineup might be when they have Varejao on the floor for energy and rebounding, along with Gibson and Marshall or Jones for perimeter shooting.
Ginobili is one of the NBA's top sixth men, playing starter's minutes. Barry and Horry, a clutch postseason performer, must be watched around the 3-point line.
Edge: Spurs
COACHES: Gregg Popovich vs. Mike Brown.
No comments:
Post a Comment