Game 13 Final: CHI 106 @ SA 99

Box Score | Game Flow

Sports fans love to make excuses, especially when their team loses a game it shouldn't have.  "They didn't play with heart."  "We had no energy out there."  The majority of the time, and in this case, this line of "reasoning" is a load of shit.

Scott Skiles had constructed a sound game plan against the Spurs.  It was very, very complicated:

1.  Collapse your defense into the paint.
   
2.  Encourage Tony Parker to shoot jumpers.

CHI hit the offensive glass, grabbing 12 extra possessions.  They made 44% of their 18 3PA, including numerous "big" shots by Duhon.  I find this to be the most concerning aspect of the game.  Last year the Spurs emphasized limiting their opponents' 3PA (easily leading the league).  This year the team seems a step slow on the defensive end, especially when guarding the pick and roll.  Even Duncan has failed to step out on occasion.

In the end CHI simply played a much better game than SA, despite being on the short end of numerous questionable calls in the second half.

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