HoopWatch

As much as I want the San Antonio Spurs to suffer and falter, I don’t see it happening against the less-experienced Utah Jazz.

San Antonio waltzed their way to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. As long as Utah cannot stop San Antonio’s three-headed monster, they will continue to loss. After all, they never expected to be here. Everyone was expecting Dallas to be in the conference finals, not the Jazz.

In the Spurs’ 108-100 triumph in Game One, Tim Duncan had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Manu Ginobili added 23 points and 10 assists, while Tony Parker contributed 21 points and six dimes. Jazz forward Carlos Boozer was just 7-for-17 from the field, good enough for 20 points and 12 rebounds. But he had only three field goals in Utah’s disastrous first half.

The Spurs had a 19-point lead at halftime, and were up 18 early in the fourth. The only bright spot for the Jazz was Deron Williams’ 18-point performance in the fourth which deceivingly reduced the lead to eight by the end of the game.

Game Two was no different from Game One. The Spurs had this game from start to finish. Duncan had 26 points and 14 caroms, while Ginobili added 17 points. Parker may have only scored 17, but he had 14 assists, setting-up devastating threes from Bruce Bowen, Ginobili, Michael Finley and Brent Barry. All four guys had three three’s apiece. Everytime Utah made a run, San Antonio answered with three-pointers.

Although, Boozer bounced back with a 33-point-15-rebound performance, the Jazz never led in this one. San Antonio easily won 105-96.

Now the series shifts to Utah. The Jazz were down 0-2 before, in the first round against the Houston Rockets. But the Spurs are far a better team than Houston. They’ve got the rings to show for it. The Jazz may have won two games at Salt Lake City during the regular season, but this is the play-offs. The Spurs are the superior team, and Utah does not offer much resistance.

I expect the Jazz may win one at home, but just one. I say Spurs in five, and let the Detroit-San Antonio showdown begin anew. That’ll be a more interesting series.