SPURS: Preview: Spurs vs Pistons : Finals Game 6

Spurs @ Pistons

Tuesday, June 21, 2005
SBC Center, San Antonio, TX
TV: ABC | Radio: WOAI , KCOR

Plotlines

The Spurs returned to San Antonio early Monday morning one win away from their third NBA Championship after grabbing a 96-95 win on Detroit's home floor in Game 5. The Spurs were led by Tim Duncan's 26 points and 19 rebounds but the hero of the game was Robert Horry who scored 21 points in 32 minutes off the bench. All but three of those points came in the fourth quarter and overtime (the first three points came in the closing seconds of the third quarter). The series is now in San Antonio where an outcome will be decided in the SBC Center.

The Spurs were finally able to win in Detroit by winning the rebounding battle (45-42) and securing 19 offensive boards to increase their shot attempts. The Pistons took just two more shots on Sunday even though the Spurs posted 17 turnovers. The Spurs also got back their ball movement with 20 assists - nine of those from Manu Ginobili.

The question remains - what will another change of venue do to this series...after winning the first two games in the SBC Center, the Spurs lost the next two in Detroit. Until Game 5, either home team had dominated on their court. The SBC Center is definitely an advantage. The Spurs have lost five games here all year (three in regular season, two in the playoffs) and will have to return to the high level of play they exhibited in the opening games to keep their season from going any further.

Look for the Spurs to improve their ball movement in Game 6. A 20+ assist night is ideal for the Spurs rhythm. Tony Parker was aggressive with the ball on Game 5, but look for a renewed focus on team-leading as another player is expected to up the intensity in this game...Manu Ginobili. After scoring 63 points in the first two games, Manu posted just 34 in the next three. Ginobili is due for a big night.

The Pistons will have to do something they haven't done since 1997 in order to continue their season. Detroit needs a win in San Antonio and will need to bring their Palace play on the road tonight. With their backs against the wall, the Pistons are famous for finding a way to win. They've already faced elimination earlier in the playoffs and managed to win Game 6 and 7 against Miami to advance to the Finals. Detroit has the ability to step up their play in crunch time, and need a Game 4-type performance from every starter to overcome the Spurs home court.

One Key

One Threat

Manu Ginobili
Manu is averaging 23.4 points per game at home during these playoffs. He was held in check by the tough Pistons defense but found a way to attack in Game 5 - dishing out nine assists in the win. Manu loves playing in front of the home crowd and should be very active without the ball early to open the Pistons. If Detroit continues to pack the lane - which found them some success in the Palace, look for Manu to attack from the outside and increase his attempts from the 10 he averaged on the road.

Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Wallace may or may not guarantee a Game 6 win for the media, but he will certainly step up his game either way. He is a definite outside threat - which could draw Duncan away from the basket to open lanes for Billups and Prince. He will need to get established early and look for his intensity on defense as he and Ben Wallace look to stop Tim's production. This could result in early foul trouble, which would certainly hamper the Pistons chances.