Monday, June 11, 2007

Finals Game 3 preview

By David DuPree, USA TODAY
The event: Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland (9 ET Tuesday night, ABC).
The series: San Antonio leads 2-0.

Who's hot:

Spurs—Tim Duncan has been dominant at both ends, averaging 23.5 points, 11 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 blocked shots and committing only 1.5 turnovers while shooting 57.6%.

Cavaliers—Daniel Gibson is averaging 15.5 points, shooting 61.9% from the field and is 4-for-8 from three-point range in 30 minutes a game off the bench, playing at both point guard and shooting guard.

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Who's not:

Spurs— Starting shooting guard Michael Finley is averaging only two points and is 0-for-7 from three-point range and 2-for-11 overall.

Cavaliers— Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is 4-for-16 from the field and is averaging only 5.5 points and five rebounds.

What Spurs have to do: Play with the same intensity they showed most of the time at home and not think that the series is in the bag. They have to continue to take LeBron James out of the game by double- and triple-teaming him and daring his teammates to make the big shots.

What Cavaliers have to do: Keep Tony Parker out of the lane and get off to a faster start. They have had to play catch-up all game long in both of the first two games. They have to cut down on the mental mistakes, which have been evident in their slow defensive recognition and their turnovers. The Spurs have outscored them 42-22 in points from turnovers.