El Conclusion: Game 2 didn’t go according to plan

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Dallas Mavericks 113 FinalRecap | Box Score 92 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF 30 MIN | 4-5 FG | 3-4 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 1 TO | 11 PTS | -15
He was fine on offense when he actually got the ball. Looked a little slow on defense, but all the Spurs did so I’m not sure we can blame him.

Kawhi Leonard, SF 22 MIN | 1-5 FG | 3-5 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | -6
Started doing some Kawhi things at the end of the game, but overall this might be the worst game he’s played all season. It started in the first half when he picked up two fouls early, then picked up another 40 feet from the basket. He can’t be that reckless. The Spurs don’t have another player who can come close to doing what he does on defense.

Tiago Splitter, C 28 MIN | 2-5 FG | 2-2 FT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | -2
Getting blocked at the rim aside I thought he looked good. He continues to bother Dirk Nowitzki so I expect a healthy dose of Tiago moving forward in the series.

Tony Parker, PG 26 MIN | 5-10 FG | 2-5 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 12 PTS | -10
He started hot, then disappeared. He also couldn’t get into the paint all game, so he and coaching staff need to figure out how to make that happen.

Danny Green, SG 22 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | -8
Needs to figure out how to get loose on offense and needs to do a better job staying in front of Dallas’ guards.

Matt Bonner, PF 6 MIN | 2-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | -1
More Bonner baby hooks!

Boris Diaw, PF 17 MIN | 2-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 4 PTS | -21
Didn’t do anything except make a one legged fadeaway with Dirk covering him. That was fun.

Patty Mills, PG 16 MIN | 1-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | -10
He’s getting looks, which is good, they’re just not falling. The real problem right now is he’s not guarding anyone.

Cory Joseph, PG 9 MIN | 1-2 FG | 2-4 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | +8
I thought we might see more of Joseph in the second half and we might see more moving forward. What he does offensively doesn’t matter, it’s just about keeping Monta Ellis and Devin Harris out of the paint.

Manu Ginobili, SG 23 MIN | 9-12 FG | 4-7 FT | 2 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 6 TO | 27 PTS | -5
He was the only thing that kept the Spurs in the game in the second quarter. The second half flurry was incredible. Turnovers were the only knock on his game.

Marco Belinelli, SG 29 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 7 PTS | -31
Most deceiving stat line of the game. He was a ghost for most of the game. He’s not getting his shot off, he’s late getting back on defense when the Spurs turn the ball over and he’s not staying in front of anyone.

Gregg Popovich
I thought there’d be more in game adjustments then there was. Then again, you can’t adjust for a bajillion turnovers.

Three Things We Saw

  1. I do think we’re going to see more of Cory Joseph if Mills and Belinelli aren’t able to stay in front of the Mavs guards.
  2. Tony Parker has to be more decisive with the basketball. Dallas’ switching is throwing him off for sure, but when he initiates the offense with 10-12 seconds left on the shot clock it really slows down any ball movement.
  3. It’d be really dumb to overreact to one game. We’re all prone to do it, but just remember the Spurs won 30 games on the road this year, so getting a road win or two isn’t an unrealistic outcome moving forward.
  • Graham

    In a way, I think we needed to lose. Words aside, we haven’t taken the Mavs seriously yet, and that last minute win in game 1 probably didn’t help. Hopefully this is a good kick in the ass that this team is NOT going to make it easy on us and the Spurs need to sharpen up to win. The good news is this is basically the narrative we had going into Golden State last year.

  • Dapimp Ofdayear

    As much as I rag on Splitter for his offensive shortcomings, I was proud to see him go right after Dalembert with a two-handed dunk attempt instead of one of his silly little passive flip shots. He got blocked, but that’s fine. Just come with more force next time and try to tear the guy’s arm off. He’s playing solid defense as well on Dirk.

    The problem I have with this series is that the Spurs are giving a team confidence that really didn’t have any to begin with. I bet the Mavs left San Antonio feeling like they should be up 2-0. That’s dangerous. Dirk has been off two games in a row, but the Mavs are doing just fine. What happens if he starts heating up?

    Is Pop getting outcoached right now? I know, I know, blasphemy, but Dallas seems to be dictating the terms on both sides of the ball. The Spurs haven’t really made a decisive adjustment, IMO.

    Defense, not offense, seems to be the real issue for the Spurs. Instead of just conceding the mid-range jumper off the pick and roll, maybe we should throw some different looks at the Mavs so they aren’t so comfortable. And I agree, if Belinelli and Patty aren’t giving you anything on offense, then you may have to go with Cory Joseph sooner to keep the Mavs’ guards out of the paint.

  • xfg

    after winning 10 in a row against the mavs, we’re bound to lose sooner or later. i just didn’t expect to get blown out of the AT&T!!!! wake up spurs!!!

  • Governmentname

    -Start Manu over Danny so that there are TWO premier ball handlers to attack Dirk/Calderon/Sammy D when they switch (Marion can’t guard 2 ppl at the same time). Plus, Danny can match-up against Carter off the bench as opposed to Marco.

    -Also, give Patty’s minutes to Cory so he’s matched up again Harris. If anything Cory won’t turn the ball over & doesn’t insist on shooting guarded 3s.

    -Call 4-down plays for Timmy since it’s either going to draw help defenders & free up shooter or he’s going to have an advantage in the post over any of their big men (better than Tony taking 15 footers).

    -Play Kawhi along w/ the bench unit so he’s forced to be aggressive as opposed to camping at the corner & being useless.

    Basically,
    Starters: Tony/Manu/Kawhi/Tim/TIago
    Bench: Cory/Danny/Marco/Diaw/Ayres
    -Marco can check Crowder
    -Ayres can check Wright

  • Governmentname

    Same thing happened against the Warriors in the 2nd rd last year… The Spurs hadn’t lost at home to the Warriors for 16 straight years then they proceeded to play w/ fire in Gm 1 & needed a 16 pt 4th quarter come back to win in double OT. In Gm 2, the Spurs got run out of their own gym in the 1st half b/c of poor transition defense & ended up losing a home game to the Warrior after 16 years. They needed a heroic effort by Tiago in the 4th quarter of Gm 6 to dispose of them.

  • lvmainman

    Spurs should be grateful being outplayed 2 games in a row, but being split 1-1. Pop is being outcoached. The Mavs have gone Miami Heat on the Spurs and dominated with small ball. I’d bench Splitter and start Diaw. About 10 turnovers were due to Splitter’s man deflecting a pass intended for someone else. Bench Ayers for good and play Bonner to space the floor. Post up Kawhi on Monta Ellis more. Hide Parker on Marion, so Green can guard a penetrating guard, either Calderon or Harris.

    No grade for Ayers? He shouldn’t play in this series. Give Bonner his minutes. Bonner can guard Marion/Blair if necessary.

  • Pingback: Thoughts on the Spurs Game 2 loss to the Mavericks

  • junierizzle

    I agree but the Warriors didn’t have the “rival” thing going for them. Dirk knows his teams have and can beat the vaunted Spurs. Having said that, it will not surprise anyone if SPurs smack them down in Game 3.

  • junierizzle

    Yeah, I have been really disappointed with Mills thus far. But Spurs aren’t exactly trying to get him open either. If he or they aren’t going to try then best to go with CoJo and his defense.