Spurs vs. Hornets - Western Conference Playoff Preview

by Bodog Sportsbook | May 1 2008

The second round of the Western Conference NBA playoffs features the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and the upstart New Orleans Hornets. We asked the Locksmith for his take on who wins this series.


San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Hornets Preview

The Spurs square off against the upstart Hornets in an exciting second-round matchup that features two of the young premier point guards in the NBA in Tony Parker and Chris Paul. Paul and Parker had exceptional performances as both teams manhandled their first-round opponents in just five games. These two teams split their season series at two games a piece, but it’s for real now. Locksmith, so far you are 0-for-2 in calling the Suns to beat San Antonio and Dallas to beat New Orleans. Go ahead and redeem yourself: Who wins this series?

Locksmith: In my defense, I actually thought the Suns would play defense and I think the injury to Grant Hill really hurt them. And as far as Dallas is concerned, I have to admit I underestimated Chris Paul, and he in turn did me and the Mavericks dirty. They say once bitten twice shy, but I’m not shy about who I’m picking in this one. New Orleans is better defensively than Phoenix. Byron Scott, the NBA Coach of the Year, has this young team playing like veterans. But this series will ultimately come down to matchups. This is how I see the matchups breaking down:

Tony Parker and Chris Paul should cancel each other out. So should Peja Stojakovic and Michael Finley. In David West versus Kurt Thomas, give the edge to David West. Then you have Tim Duncan and Tyson Chandler; we’ll give that edge to Duncan. And for the difference makers in either Jannero Pargo or Morris Peterson against Manu Ginobili, you have to give the advantage to Ginobili. From there, I’m looking at the inexperience of the Hornets compared to the vast experience of the Spurs having been down this road time and time again, and I have to give the Spurs the overall edge in that department as well. I feel like the Hornets were extremely confident that they could and would beat Dallas. As they prepare to go up against the Spurs they are certainly confident in their abilities, but the unbridled belief that they can beat the Spurs in a seven-game series can’t be solid. On the other hand, the Spurs believe they should and will beat the Hornets and view them as nothing more than an obstacle in their path towards championship glory. Let’s not forget, the Spurs are the defending champions and they bring that swagger into every series. I have the Spurs taking this series in six games.

Going against Chris Paul again, are we, Locksmith? Ballsy. Now we ask our members: Who do you like? Make your NBA playoff picks with Bodog Sportsbook or jump into the action play-by-play with Bodog Live basketball betting.