Canadian Sun Set, or Miami On Ice?

by Rob King

Dr. James Naismith would be proud to see the remarkable run of his fellow country man and regular season MVP Steve Nash. Over the past four games Canadian son, Steve Nash surpassed Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan, becoming the first player in NBA history with four consecutive playoff games of at least 25 points and 10 assists. The nasty Nash show recorded this feat in the final two contests of the Dallas series and the first two games of the Conference finals against San Antonio.

Nash’s run will conclude quickly unless Phoenix can rise from the ashes and get back into their Western Conference series with the Spurs that resumes tonight. After dropping the first two games on their home floor, the Suns are confronted with the challenge of having to win tonight to prevent the Spurs from putting a stranglehold on the series.

Before the series the Suns knew they would struggle stopping Spurs All-NBA center Tim Duncan and international ballers, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The Suns who graduated from the “best defense being a good offense” school have no answer for Tim Duncan. Even injured, Duncan has had monster games in this series against the Suns. Phoenix has also struggled containing legitimate scoring threats Parker and Ginobli. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have combined for 157 points in the first two games.

Phoenix will struggle containing the Spurs big three but the Suns can still win provided they eliminate offensive contributions from San Antonio subs Robert Horry and Brent Barry. Barry hit big shots off the bench down the stretch in game one and Horry provided leadership and three point daggers from the pine in game two.

The Spurs have received valuable contributions from role players Bruce Bowen and Nazr Mohammed. Bowen has shut down Suns forward Shawn “Matrix” Marion. The Matrix has averaged 7 points in the series primarily because of Bowen’s defensive pressure. Isiah Thomas better hit a homerun with the first round pick he received along with Malik Rose for Nazr Mohammed because his strong pivot play in this series makes the trade look lopsided.

The Spurs have struggled in this series on the defensive end. Suns center Amare Stoudemire has averaged almost 40 points a game in the first two contests. Along with Nash, he has given the San Antonio fits on defense. However the Spurs have done a brilliant job shutting down the Matrix and limiting Quentin Richardson and Jim Jackson’s scoring contribution.

Suns shooting guard Joe Johnson’s return from an eye injury sustained during the second round means Jim Jackson can return to his sixth man role. With Sun’s coach Mike D’Antoni’s short bench it is critical that the Suns receive offensive firepower and toughness from Jackson as well as reserve center Stephen Hunter. The Suns will receive a boost from the return of swingman Joe Johnson, who will play with protective face gear. However it’s going to take more than a masked man to keep the Suns from setting in this series.

San Antonio’s fourth quarter execution has been nearly flawless in the first two games. The Spurs have combined to shoot 72% from the field in the final periods of the first two games. Phoenix must play defense down the stretch if they expect to play basketball in June.

For the first two rounds of the playoffs Miami’s Superman, Flash and the Hulk escaped Nets and banished Wizards without struggle. The Hulk and Flash even finished the Wizards off without Superman’s assistance. Following one confrontation with the “Bad Boys” of Detroit, it was obvious that Miami needed a super effort to defeat this foe.

After losing game one and home court advantage in their showdown for Eastern Conference supremacy against the Pistons, Dwayne Wade aka "Flash" made sure Miami avoided further peril by pouring in 40 points in the Heat’s 92-86 victory in game two.

Wade’s super effort Wednesday night saved the series for the Heat. With games three and four in Motown Sunday and Tuesday, the Pistons would have been poised to put Miami on ice.

Flash was ably assisted by Alonzo Mourning aka "The Hulk" played big off the bench in game two. Mourning provided passion early in the game and a defensive presence with 2 key blocks late in the contest.

Three-time playoff MVP, Shaquille O’Neal aka "Superman" poured in 17 points grabbed 10 boards, but could muster little of his typical playoff dominance due to his thigh injury. Despite D-Wade’s dazzling performance, it was the Pistons pathetic offensive execution down the stretch that prevented them from stealing game two. The three-point shots that fell for Detroit during their third quarter comeback from a double digit deficit didn’t drop for them in the final minutes of the fourth frame. Detroit went cold from the floor missing 6 of their final 7 shots including several ill-advised attempts.

Miami needs Shaq to dominate if they hope to escape the Palace with a win or two because it’s doubtful Wade will run amuck in the Pistons’ place like he did game two in South Beach. D-Wade shot 15-28 from field and made all 10 of his free throws in game two against Detroit’s vaunted defense. In games three and four expect Pistons’ defensive stopper Tayshaun Prince to contain Wade’s penetration and limit his visits to the foul line.

The Pistons balanced offense and suffocating defense should be operating on all cylinders in front of the home faithful as Detroit looks to put Miami in the rear view mirror of their drive to the NBA finals. The heat is on Shaquille O’Neal and his “super friends” to prevent the Pistons from playing the NBA’s version of the NFL's “Patriot Games”.