NBA Playoffs 2012: Jazz vs. Spurs Game 2 Adjustments

Apr 29, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) is defended by Utah Jazz guard Devin Harris (right) during the second half of game one in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the AT

Now that San Antonio Spurs have a 1-0 series lead over the Utah Jazz, the Jazz will be pressed into making a lot of adjustments to keep up.

– The Jazz need to find a way in defending the pick-and-roll. The Spurs offense predicates from pick-and-roll action often and every Spur runs these sets with relative ease regardless of opponent.

– At the very least, it appears that Utah will make a concerted effort to make Parker and Ginobili pay for their constant forays to the rim. Utah comitted 24 personal fouls in Game 1 and that number may rise tonight. The Spurs were able to get into the paint early and often — they scored 58 points — and that may explain Utah’s extra aggressiveness defensively.

– Brett Koremenos of NBA Playbook explained why Devin Harris should only rest when Parker rests to prevent the flat-footed Jamaal Tinsley from defending the speedy Parker.

– The Spurs are usually pretty stingy in allowing attempts at the rim, but the Jazz have to find a way to create space for their backcourt to operate. Seven points from Devin Harris and Josh Howard is unacceptable.

– As for the Spurs, they need to find away to prevent Gordon Hayward from attacking the rim with impunity. Hayward converted on all 12 of his free throws.

– Without Tiago Splitter (doubtful with a left wrist sprain), the Spurs will need to decide how they allocate Splitter’s minutes. Personally, I’d play Duncan about 33 minutes, Diaw 28 minutes, Bonner 22 minutes and Blair 11 minutes.