Spurs, Rockets try to wake up sleepy second round
Maybe San Antonio and Houston can still salvage the second round.
Their series, just like the other three in the NBA’s conference semifinals, hasn’t provided much in the way of mustsee moments. No need to stay up late for a frantic finish when the outcomes are decided so early.
But the Spurs and Rockets did play four tight games in the regular season, with three decided by two-point margins. So perhaps there’s still drama ahead, starting today in Game 5 in San Antonio with the teams tied 2-2.
Often the pivotal game in a best-of-seven series, maybe it’s the one to bring out the best in both teams at the same time. For some reason, it hasn’t happened in Texas — or really anywhere else in May.
“I wish I was that smart and I could figure that out,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I don’t know. We made shots, don’t make shots. I guess when both teams start making shots you’ll get it close.”
San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili (20) shoots as Houston forward Ryan Anderson defends during the first half in Game 4 of the second-round playoff series.
It’s been blowout basketball all over the second round, where Cleveland didn’t even trail in the fourth quarter against Toronto until it was in the midst of finishing a sweep Sunday with a 109102 victory. That was the first game of the entire round decided by single digits — even the overtime game between Boston and Washington in Game 2 of their series ended with a 10-point victory for the Celtics. Eric Christian Smith / The Associated Press
A look at the only game on the schedule today:
Rockets at Spurs, series tied 2-2. Game 5, 8 p.m., TNT.
NEED TO KNOW: stuff so far.
The record-setting Rockets have rolled when they’ve made their 3-pointers, hitting 22 in Game 1 and 19 more in Game 4. They averaged just 11.5 3s in the two losses, shooting 31.5 percent.
KEEP AN EYE Simple ON: The Spurs’ transition defense. Gregg Popovich pointed to it as San Antonio’s biggest problem Sunday and the Spurs know they have to get back and set up to keep the Rockets from playing the quicker pace they prefer.
“I think we have to communicate better in transition and try to get to shooters better,” Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge said after Game 4. “We got caught in the middle trying to find guys and not really locking them up tonight.”
INJURY UPDATE: The Rockets lost backup center Nene for the remainder of the postseason because of a muscle tear in his left thigh.
And guard Patrick Beverley missed practice Monday to be with his family after his grandfather died Sunday, but he will return to the team and start today.
PRESSURE IS ON: In this situation, both. The winner of Game 5 in the 196 times the series was tied won the series 82.7 percent of the time, according to information provided to the NBA by Elias.