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The dust has just settled and after the last game of the last day of the regular season the Spurs can look forward to meeting the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
Up until today the Spurs could have met one of three teams (Phoenix, Sacramento and Minnesota). I have to admit that I'm glad that the Spurs miss out on meeting the Suns first up and I wont be sorry to not meet the always dangerous the Kings.
Minnesota is still a good team but I do feel fairly confident that we can take them in a series. There are a few key match-ups that will be instrumental and the team that wins the most of these will most likely win the series.
Lets take a look at some of the match-ups as I see them-
David Robinson (7-1) V's Dean Garrett (6-11)
This match-up isn't set in stone but it's the way I see it going. This could also be the biggest one on one advantage that the Spurs will have. Dean Garrett brings to the T-Wolves a big body who can bang with David. Robinson should have the big advantage though with his athleticism and his red hot form of late.
The Verdict
Last time they met David outscored Dean 21-9 and outrebounded him 15-6 in similar minutes. I
don't see this trend changing during the series.
Tim Duncan (7-0) V's Joe Smith (6-10)
This will be a BIG match-up for the Spurs. Don't underestimate Joe Smith, he can play and if he can get on his 'A' game and negate Tim Duncans output then the T-Wolves will cause many problems for the Spurs.
The Verdict
I think that Tim can get the upper hand and break free against Joe. Tim with the
comfortable advantage for mine.
Sean Eliott (6-8) V's Kevin Garnett (7-0)
This is the match-up of the series I.M.H.O. Kevin Garnett will almost definitely lead his team in scoring, blocked shots and rebounds each game. Sean is a classy defender but he will have a lot of trouble with the much taller and equally as athletic Garnett.
The Verdict
Kevin Garnett will get his. If Sean can limit his scoring to under 25 ppg and chip in with 12 or
so of his own while keeping Garnett off the glass then he's done a fine job.
Mario Elie (6-5) V's Anthony Peeler (6-4)
These two players will almost completely negate each other. Both average around 10 points a game in similar minutes. Both can shoot the ball and put it on the floor, both grab around 3 rebounds a game and both will be giving it their all for each minute they're on the floor.
The Verdict
Mario Elie is a proud player who always finds something extra for the playoffs. That something
extra could be the difference in this match-up.
Avery Johnson (5-11) V's Terrel Brandon (5-11)
I always like to see AJ matching up with an opposing point guard who is the same height as him. Terrel Brandon, who was at one time touted as the best player in the NBA by Sports Illustrated, is a great player- but not as great as the former T-Wolves point guard Stephon Marbury. Avery Johnson proved that he could step up in the playoffs by last year outplaying both Jason Kidd and John Stockton.
The Verdict
My head gives a small advantage to Brandon, my heart gives a small advantage to AJ. Too close to
call or to make too much of an impact.
The Spurs Bench V's The T-Wolves Bench
Look for the T-Wolves to play their starters for a great percentage of the game with only a regular rotation at the center and shooting guard positions. The Spurs will use their bench a lot more and if they can get the upperhand early will try and rest their starters as much as good sense allows.
The Verdict
The Spurs have a distinct advantage here with their deep reserves . Spurs players like Jaren
Jackson, Will Perdue, Steve Kerr and Malik Rose will beat players like Bill Curley, Sam Mitchell
and Tom Hammonds most of the time and that's all you can ask.
The Spurs should win this series fairly comfortably. The only danger to the Spurs is if they take the series too lightly and look forward to their next opponents in the match-up between the Lakers and the Rockets. Veteran players like Mario Elie, Avery Johnson and Jerome Kersey will not allow this though.
The Spurs have an attitude and a complete roster that I have never seen the likes of before in my time as a Spurs fan. I think that we can sweep the T-Wolves or at the worst drop a game to them at home and then look forward to resting and meeting the tired and beat-up winner of the Rockets and Lakers series.
GO SPURS!!!
Can the Spurs dispose of the T-Wolves? Step on the Soapbox and have your say.
