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Posted: Friday June 10, 2005 3:41AM; Updated: Friday June 10, 2005 1:26PM
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NBA Finals Fast Breaks
Game 1: Spurs 84, Pistons 69
Making The Grade
San Antonio Spurs
Tony Parker, G
41 min., 15 points (7-17 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-2 FT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists
An afterthought in the point guard matchup, Parker held his own against reigning Finals MVP Chauncey Billups.
B-
Manu Ginobili, G
39 min., 26 points (10-16 FG, 2-4 3PT, 4-4 FT), 9 rebounds, 2 assists
Slow first half (1-of-6, 4 points) followed by stellar second (9-of-10, 22 points) makes Ginobili the Game 1 MVP.
A-
Tim Duncan, F
41 min., 24 points (10-22 FG, 4-5 FT), 17 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
The best player on the floor -- again. His 24 points -- he also had 17 rebounds -- combined with Ginobili's 26 accounts for more than half the Spurs' total offense.
A-
Bruce Bowen, F
35 min., 0 points (0-6 FG, 0-3 3PT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists
No points, no problem. Only stat line that matters to Bowen is 11-of-33, the combined shooting numbers for Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince.
B
Nazr Mohammed, C
26 min., 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
Ten points on 50 percent shooting along with some gritty work on the offensive boards.
B
The Bench
58 min., 9 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Only Robert Horry and Brent Barry played double-digit minutes. Barry was a non-factor, but Horry's tenacious defense helped limit the Wallaces to a combined 11 points.
C+
Gregg Popovich, Coach
Whatever Popovich said to Ginobili at halftime should be repeated every practice. In the last series of the season, Popovich decided to live and die with his starters.
A-
Detroit Pistons
Rip Hamilton, G
39 min., 14 points (7-21 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-1 FT), 1 rebound, 1 assist
Like so many before him, Rip was unable to overcome Bowen's presence. Only one free throw attempt for the Pistons' leading scorer.
D
Chauncey Billups, G
43 min., 25 points (9-16 FG, 1-4 3PT, 6-6 FT), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
The team's lone bright spot on offense. Despite his big-shot capabilities, Billups can't be counted on to carry the load for Detroit.
B+
Rasheed Wallace, F
33 min., 6 points (3-6 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 6 blocks
If 'Sheed can find a way to stop blaming the officials for all of his problems, the Pistons stand half a chance. He needs to be more proactive on offense after taking only six shots in Game 1.
D
Tayshaun Prince, F
32 min., 11 points (4-12 FG, 3-4 FT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers
Shooting 4-of-12 is not going to cut it. The defensive stopper failed miserably in his matchup with Ginobili.
C
Ben Wallace, C
39 min., 5 points (2-5 FG, 1-2 FT), 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks
His temper tantrum in the fourth quarter was the beginning of the end for Detroit. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year needs to demand to guard Duncan more often.
C-
The Bench
54 min., 8 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists
Only eight points from a unit that played tremendously in the conference finals. Worst sequence of the game belonged to Carlos Arroyo, who in the span of one minute committed two fouls and was outhustled to a loose ball by Ginobili.
D
Larry Brown, Coach
Before Game 1, Brown suggested Lindsey Hunter would draw the assignment of containing Ginobili. Hunter, an excellent defender, played 16 minutes and was frequently matched up with Parker while Ginobili's heroics carried the Spurs in the fourth quarter.
C-
Play Of The Night
Eric Gay/Getty Images
Trailing by two points early in the fourth quarter, Ben Wallace (right) was called for a blocking foul on Ginobili. An irate Wallace tossed his headband and was whistled for a technical foul. A Ginobili free throw followed by a Parker layup extended the Spurs' lead to five and ignited a 12-2 San Antonio run that put the game out of reach.
Quote Of The Night
"He did a good job. But I got every shot I wanted, I just didn't make them."
-- Rip Hamilton, on Bowen's defense
Courtside Confidential
AP
This wasn't the same Detroit team that plowed through the Eastern Conference. After jumping out to an early lead, the Pistons' experience failed them as they became rattled during San Antonio's comeback. After the game several Pistons players lamented not sticking with the game plan, choosing to play more one-on-one basketball instead of pounding the ball inside. Ball rotation is necessary against a team like the Spurs, who like to funnel their defense to Duncan (right, with Rasheed Wallace). As he has done the entire playoffs, Ginobili was able to get in the heads of the Detroit defenders, who felt they were not getting the kind of contact calls the Spurs' swingman was getting on their end.
Looking Ahead
Something has to be done to contain Ginobili. He is too fast for Prince and too strong for Hamilton, which leaves only Hunter as a viable option. Hunter played tremendously in the conference finals against Dwyane Wade, and will be called upon again to provide a defensive spark off the bench. Look for a Rasheed guarantee sometime after practice Friday. Only two of 22 teams have won a Finals series after falling behind 2-0, and Rasheed is 2-0 in guaranteed games this postseason. Maybe it will spike the ratings. Thursday's slugfest was one of the least entertaining games in recent NBA Finals history.
Game 1 Box Score | Complete Finals Coverage

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