Comforts of home
Nets hope to break out on their home court
Posted: Sunday June 08, 2003 12:34 PM
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jason Kidd and the Nets did what they HAD to do in San Antonio. Now they're hoping to do what they LIKE to do.
After scoring just 17 and 13 fast-break points, respectively, in the first two games of the NBA Finals, the Nets are looking to break out at home in Sunday's Game 3.
San Antonio has done a good job getting back in transition and using its length to deflect passes. It also doesn't hurt that the Spurs have shot 49 percent from the floor so far in the series, thereby limiting breakout opportunities for the Nets. It's another reason shot-blocker Dikembe Mutombo suddenly looms so large.
The Nets managed a split of the first two games without running wild. Chances are, they won't be so lucky in the future. With the Meadowlands crowd behind them, this could be their best opportunity.
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San Antonio Spurs at New Jersey Nets
Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
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| Series Snapshot |
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| Game 1 |
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101 |
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89 |
| Game 2 |
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85 |
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87 |
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The past ...
Kidd scored 30 points, including his team's final seven, to will the Nets to an 87-85 victory in Game 2. The Spurs rallied from 15 down in the second half and had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but Stephen Jackson's 3-pointer rimmed out. Just like in Game 1, New Jersey didn't generate a lot of scoring off the break. But the Nets did a much better job controlling Tim Duncan, limiting the MVP to 19 points on 8-of-19 shooting. Kenyon Martin and Jason Collins both did a solid job defending Duncan, and Mutombo came off the bench to add four points, four rebounds and three blocks in 20 minutes. The Spurs once again were hurt by their own mistakes, committing 22 turnovers and shooting just 14-of-25 from the foul line.
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Dikembe Mutombo
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images |
The present ...
Despite Kidd's heroics, the Spurs are convinced they gave away Game 2 with their own sloppy play. They feel they won't make as many turnovers and that Duncan won't miss seven of 10 free throws again. They're also confident that Duncan will adjust to New Jersey's more aggressive double teams, as well as the newfound presence of the 7-foot-2 Mutombo. As long as Tony Parker (21 points in Game 2) keeps making shots, San Antonio has enough perimeter firepower to make the Nets pay for going big. New Jersey, meanwhile, suddenly has new life. After five straight Finals losses (they were swept by the Lakers a year ago), they now know they can win. With the home crowd behind them, they should get the energy boost needed to kick-start their fast break offense.
The future ... The Spurs have bounced back well after tough losses throughout the postseason. But one day off isn't much time to make adjustments to Mutombo's increased presence. Look for the Nets to pull out another close one.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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