Spurs-Suns Preview Capsule

Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire will be the match-up to watch in this series.Photo Courtesy: Yardbarker.com

The series starts Monday, May 3rd in the Desert at 9:30 PM CST.  Though I wanted to put up a big preview I am not sure if I will be able to get to get one up.

I did though wanted to put up a little something on our upcoming series with the Phoenix Suns.  Just a small capsule if you will.

All the entertainment after the jump.

Season series: Suns 2-1. Phoenix made our defense look horrible during the season. Phoenix shot the ball really well in their three games, better than 50 percent. The Suns averaged 112.7 points on 51 percent shooting against the Spurs for the season and won both games at home. Even San Antonio’s victory came at Phoenix’s preferred pace, pulling out a 113-110 home victory on Feb. 28 despite 41 points and 12 rebounds from Amare Stoudemire.

Steve Nash averaged 20.3 points and 12 assists.  As you can see we do have a lot of work ahead of us in this series but we know that the season meetings mean nothing to what the Spurs can do in the Playoffs, right Dallas?

Key Matchup 1: Stoudemire vs. Tim Duncan. Stoudemire may have supplanted him as the premier power forward in the Western Conference. Even Duncan couldn’t handle him this season, as Stoudemire averaged 32.7 points and 11.3 rebounds in the series. Duncan did have a pair of double-doubles, including a 34-point, 14-rebound performance in the Suns’ 116-104 victory on Dec. 15.

Duncan will have his hands full with the younger, more athletic Stoudemire.  As Dirk did in round one, he got his points, Stoudemire will too.  As I see though, Duncan elevates his game in the playoffs.  I don’t think he will let the younger Stoudemire push him around.

Hey Stoudy!? Respect your elders!!

Key Matchup II: Grant Hill vs. Richard Jefferson. Hill, whom the Spurs wanted to sign a few years ago, scored 17 points in both Phoenix wins but was held to just six in the lone San Antonio victory. Can we hopefully see the Richard Jefferson that we all felt we were going to get when he signed with us.  We need aggression.  Slashing, passing, SCORING.  Come on Richard, we all know it is in you. 

Jefferson should have his day against the older Hill, but Hill has been playing pretty good in the post season.  He is not as quick as he once was but Hill can still do things on the court that makes him a valuable player for Phoenix.

Key Matchup III:  George Hill vs Steve Nash.  Hill had himself a good first round series against Dallas hitting big shots when needed.  Nash, is a wizard with the ball and we know he will get inside the lane and he will find his teammates.  He can kill us from the floor, scoring if we look for him to pass all day long. 

If he starts going crazy Hill, just give him the nice Robert Horry shoulder block in the scorers table.  That will make him think about what he wants to do.

Who to Watch For: For the Spurs it is Jason Richardson. Richardson was simply amazing against the Portland Trailblazers.  He is averaging 23.5 points on 53 percent shooting in the first-round victory over Portland.  He also hurt the Spurs during the regular season, scoring 20 points in each of the last two meetings while making 15-of-26 shots.

Lastly, there is a poll on the right side for all to vote to see who will win the series and by how many games.