48MoH TV: Spurs take 3-0 lead over Jazz

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The Spurs absorbed the Utah Jazz’ best shot and took a commanding — nay — a dominating 3-0 lead over the Jazz in the teams’ first round series. Based on the performances in the previous three games, this series is but a formality at this point.

Aaron McGuire and myself broke down the Spurs’ Game 3 win over Utah on the 48MoH TV postgame show, and — don’t tell anyone — we even looked ahead to San Antonio’s possible round 2 opponents. The replay of the postgame show is below, just hit the “Play” button to watch.

  • Spurhoic in Mumbai

    What is the diff which Stephen Jackson brings to the team, given his stats are almost identical to the much maligned RJ? What weakness does this team have which could limit its progress in the playoffs?

  • AE

    How much can a team offer Green in the off season? Are we in danger of losing him?

  • Colin

    @Spurholic in Mumbai……….Do you watch the games? If you did it would make your question about RJ vs Jackson is a rhetorical one. Their stats are similar but overall GAME, attitude, and confidence are like comparing apples and oranges man.

    Their weakness will be to match (or not) the likes of a physical Memphis (who carry their OWN swagger) or OKC’s athleticism, savvy and shot-making abilities. I think we’ll match up just fine with either team in any scenario provided there are no injuries. I also would like our match up against the Clippers as they don’t carry the same sort of experience as OKC or Memphis. But, then again this is the playoffs where names are made. I see this Spurs as a team on a mission and with a mean streak!

  • Bob

    @Spurhoic

    Jax is a much better competitor, defender, and playmaker. Also he’s not afraid to attack the basket.

  • TDzilla!

    Jackson makes love to Pressure while Jefferson stood up Pressure in their wedding.

  • http://www.48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    @TDzilla!

    Gold star for you.

  • Junierizzle

    Sjack also shoots with a hand in his face. RJ rarely did.

    Great win. “surgical” as Kenny Smith Put it.

    As for the second round. I think they’ll be fine against either team. Memphis isn’t the same team Z-Bo just isn’t there. And the Spurs aren’t the same team that lost year. And the Big 3 have already taken out a Chris Paul led team, the Hornets. Clippers went 13-30 from the free throw line last night. Can you say hack-a-Jordan-and-a-Griffin?

  • http://www.48mintuesofhell.com Bry

    I think what people, even on this blog, fail to mention is just how many negative factors contributed to the Spurs losing last year. They lost in six games, and were leading in the 4th quarter in two of those losses. Manu, the team’s leading scorer, had a broken arm and didn’t even play in game one (a last-second Spurs loss at home). Parker had a terrible series, and somehow got outplayed by Conley. Jefferson disappeared to the extent that Pop started benching him down the stretch and Duncan was playing on half a leg. It annoys me that people seem to ignore all those things and pretend that Memphis was the better team.
    In addition, Memphis is also much worse right now then they were last year. They’ve replaced Young and Battier with Gay. That dramatically worsens their perimeter defense (and depth). They’ve also basically replaced Arthur with Speights, which is definitely a downgrade (especially considering how they match up with the Spurs). Randolph was on the best tear of his substantial career last year, but appears to be nowhere near that level following his injury this year. And Gasol,as they said, seems to be spent. Lastly, Memphis (if they beat the Clips) likely will be pretty fatigued rather than the fresh and energized team that faced the Spurs in the first round last year.
    So, considering the Spurs improvement in personnel, and the significant negatives the Grizzlies now have, I would prefer to play them in the 2nd round. It would show everyone that last year was really just an unfortunate anomaly, and the Spurs really are the better team despite it being a bad match-up. I’d love to see a series with Leonard on Gay, Mayo and Neal firing off the benches and Diaw squaring off with Randolph in the battle of unconventionals. You can tell me to be careful what I wish for, but bring on the Grizzlies.

  • agutierrez

    The Spurs played their worst game of the series. The Jazz played their best game of the series. And we still won by 12. Nuf said!

  • idahospur

    Loved watching one of the moments last night when S-Jax made a corner three. Jazz were more concerned with Parker, Ginobili, Bonner, and Splitter. Stephen Jackson was the 5th option on that play. How many other teams have that luxury?

  • Jimbo

    @Bry, careful what you wish for! No surprise LA-Mem is a good series. I expect Memphis to pull it out and, if they do,tired or not they will give the Spurs all they can handle. I don’t know how much Manu’s injury affected the series last year in the series. Obviously, it hurt his performance and cost the Spurs a game or two, but I don’t know if SA could have won if he were healthy. Memphis will miss Arthur against the Spurs no doubt, but Gay is a quality player and Battier leads the overrated team IMO. I know the Spurs are rolling right now but their weaknesses are going to show up in the next round and beyond if they get that far. Mem, the winner of OKC-LA, and Miami is just brutal. Don’t get me wrong, I’m pulling for the Spurs, I just don’t think that this current team is the ideal candidate for winning playoff bball. I hope I’m wrong!

  • Jimbo

    Oops, meant to say Manu’s injury “might have cost” the Spurs a game or two, if that wasn’t already clear.

  • SpurredOn

    We should celebrate the ending of the Spurs’ eight game road playoff losing streak. I hope that the results of last night continue Monday night and into future rounds.

  • http://www.48minutesofhell.com Len

    @Bry - Good post. I also want the Spurs to play Memphis in the 2nd round. Arthur has always been a real Spur killer and when he’s matched up against Bonner, it gets ugly. He has a solid midrange that Matty has no chance to stop. I think losing him for the season was a tough blow for them that isn’t often mentioned.

    I’d just like to see our beloved Spurs go thru Memphis on the way to a championship. Now that would be most satisfying…

  • DorieStreet

    Saturday Night Objective: go up in the series 3-0; AND win a playoff road game for the first time after 6 straight losses. In 4 seasons of playoff ball (2008-11), the road record was 2-16.
    Spurs Fans: Look at the court time:—Above 30- Tony -40; Tim -35 Danny -31
    25- 30 minutes - Manu -28; Stephen -24
    20- 25 minutes - Boris -21
    15- 20 minutes - Tiago -18; Matt -16; Kawhi -15
    The Core 3 AND Danny Green logged the most minutes to get this victory- with Danny getting over 30 minutes, ahead of Manu.
    The next two players are the newcomers, with 20 & 21 games as Spurs, but just completed theire 9th & 12th years in the league - Diaw and Capt. Jack.
    A second-year Spur, then the 6th year Spur (and 8th-year NBA vet) put in the most time after that; then the 20 year-old rookie got 15 minutes.

    My humble analysis: the team had to get this road win, first and foremost for shortterm and longterm physce. The foundation was called upon to get it, but longtime professionals, one being a Spur earlier in his career, brought their game to ensure the W.
    Young Cogs Blair and Neal still got a few minutes to get in and produce.
    (My humble prediction: In the closeout game, Patty and James will get their time to contribute to the series win.)
    Gregg Popovich coaches not only play-to-play, minute-to-minute, game-to-game, series-to-series—he coaches to inspire his players to be ready to contribute at anytime.

  • DorieStreet

    TYPO—I keep misspelling “psyche”

    GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!