Game Preview: Round 2, Game 5 – San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors

May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson (left) instructs small forward Harrison Barnes (40) against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 97-87 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It is now the best of three.  The San Antonio Spurs this past Sunday afternoon had a chance to take a 3-1 lead heading into tonights’ game five.  We all know the outcome.  The series now sitting at 2-2 and now turns into a best of three series, the San Antonio Spurs did do what they needed in heading to Oracle Arena, they won at least one to return home court back to them.

In a game that saw the Spurs having control through-out until the Mothers Day Meltdown in the second half, they now see themselves in a dog fight with a young team that is eager and hungry to win this series and continue on into the Western Conference Finals.  With both teams hobbling, Curry with an ankle injury, and Parker with a bruised calf, their respective teams had players that stepped up when they needed to.

Calling Manu Ginobili and Harrison Barnes.  Though Ginobili had some awful, awful three point attempts that hit the bottom of the backboard, side of the backboard, top of the backboard, you know where I am going, he still turned in a pretty good game.  He had a move on Barnes that could of sealed the game for San Antonio but Ginobili’s shot came up short.

On the other side, Barnes had his best game of his career.  Though he didn’t shoot the ball well from the floor, he managed to hurt the Spurs in other ways.  At the free throw line.  Barnes finished with 26 points.  He used his size to post up the small defenders on him and all they could do was foul.

With game five tonight in the AT&T Center, San Antonio needs to come out on the same way they started game four, but, keep that momentum through-out the game, you can’t let the Warriors feel they can come back on you because as they have proven, they will pounce on the opportunity then all hell breaks loose.

Control Curry and Klay Thompson as we have been doing, make the others score.

Here is the way I see both teams starting the game out.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

Point GuardsTony Parker – Stephen CurryShooting GuardsDanny Green – Klay ThompsonSmall ForwardsKawhi Leonard – Harrison BarnesPower ForwardsTim Duncan – Festus EzeliCentersTiago Splitter – Andrew Bogut

Key Bench PlayersManu Ginobili, Boris Diaw, Gary Neal – Jarrett Jack, Draymond Green, Carl Landry

Head CoachesGregg Popovich – Mark Jackson

GAME AND BROADCAST INFORMATIONWHEN:  Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 8:30 PM (Spurs Time)WHERE:  AT&T Center – San Antonio, TexasTELEVISION:  TNT (National)   RADIO:  1200 AM WOAI (Local)

For perspective on the Golden State Warriors, head over to Fansided’s Blue Man Hoop.