Suns v. Spurs Game Two: How The Game Is Played Now

I'm convinced, on some level, that any pro hoop hater could be converted by simply watching the right series. That series is Suns-Spurs. It's up and down, with big swings, great players, solid coaching, a marked absence of knuckleheads, home crowds that are positive and supportive, and just enough of everything -- charges taken, three pointers, transition buckets, weak side help blocks, foul trouble, etc., etc. -- that the game always feels fresh. It's just a shame that (a) the games come on late for the East Coast audience, and (b) it's not likely to matter, since a rested Lakers squad is just going to feast on the survivors.

But for now, let's just enjoy what we've got -- the likely best series of the playoffs, and a pivotal Game 2.

In the first half, the Spurs squandered 17-6-2 from Tim Duncan and a defensive effort that left the Suns shooting under 35% to a tie game. Phoenix got to the line 8 more times and logged five more makes, plus shot three more threes, to overcome the weak percentages. The story was the bench, which outscored the Spurs bench by seven, and changed the mood nicely with defensive intensity. The impressive thing about this Suns team is that with Jared Dudley, they actually have some defensive teeth, and I don't ever remember being able to say that about a Suns bench. Once upon a time, the only way that the Sun bench players could beat you would be if Leandro Barbosa could put up big numbers. Now, he's a bit player.

In the second, the game was tight and played in the Spurs' hand over hand, possession by possession grind... until the Suns, and in particular back-up center Channing Frye, started nailing threes. Frye wound up posting 15-4-2 in 26 minutes, with the 15 points coming on just seven shots, and that's just ridiculous efficiency. It also shows you, in microcosm, how the Association is now. The Spurs shot over 50% from the floor for the game to the Suns 42%, but didn't get to the line or keep the Suns from it, and lost a couple more net points on the three balls. (It also didn't help the road team got worked on the glass by a dozen boards.) Only against Phoenix is the best power forward in the history of the Association a defensive liability in the half court.

Add it up, and it's not making my Spurs in six call look any better... but I also would not be shocked to see this series wind up tied in Phoenix for game five. Bench players like Frye don't tend to get makes on the road, and the free throws are about to have a strong correction. Of course, that's assuming that Duncan's 29-10 on the offensive end isn't a last hurrah kind of effort, and that Manu Ginobili gives them more than a 2-for-8 effort (albeit with 11 assists). We all know how the Spurs are supposed to lose, and it's with Richard Jefferson wearing the goat horns, not the Association's best player in March.

A few more words about this series: speaking of last hurrah efforts, Steve Nash is the stir that stirs the drink, and the fact that he's been able to hide a little on defense, while Duncan has not, is the reason why the Suns have defended home court. If the Spurs want to get back into this series, it will be with Tony Parker moving in to the starting lineup, and the Spurs figuring out something -- anything -- on defense. When Nash is in the game, there is always a three point shooter with a clean look, or Amar'e Stoudemire getting a dunk. Right now, it's as if the Suns have no negative history with the Spurs, and seeing how Nash has never beaten the Spurs in a playoff series in his lifetime, that's just a sea change from history.

Game Three is Friday. I think it'll be a different story, if for no other reason that I don't think the Suns have the stones to end this early; witness the Portland series, and the Spurs are a much better team than Portland. But all of the margin for error is gone, and hoop is like that sometimes.