Wednesday, May 30, 2007 Sayson: On the edge of another NBA Finals berth By Homer Sayson Second Overtime
CHICAGO - After burning for 40 points in Games 1 and 2, sinking 15 of 26 field goals, Manu Ginobili suddenly turned dead cold when theWest Conference Finals moved to the Energy Solutions Arena in Utah over the weekend.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound marvel from Argentina couldn’t find the ocean from the shore in Game 3. In that 109-83 butt-kicking, Ginobili misfired 8 of 12 shots. He was held to 14 points, four assists and a lone rebound.
Fortunately for the Spurs, and quite sadly for the Jazz, Ginobili only took a day-off. Not a week-long vacation.
As Utah threatened to even the best-of-7 West Conference Finals at 2-2, Ginobili came to the Spurs’ rescue. And with Game 3 just a distant, bitter memory, Manu was back to his old self in Game 4, a daredevil without pause.
Manu was especially lethal in the fourth quarter. He challenged the heart of Utah’s defense, and with carefully measured aggression, he needled the paint with fearless drives that netted him 13 free throws, 11 of which ripped nothing but twine.
Somewhere out there, in this universe called the NBA, Jazz fanatic Anthony Andales is crestfallen.
Manu finished with 22 points on 4 of 10 shooting. He made 2 of 4 treys and 12 of 15 free throws overall. He also had six rebounds, three steals and one assist, as the Spurs held back the Jazz, 91-79, to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Deron Williams, who lost eight pounds in 48 hours due to a violent stomach virus, had a gallant effort, finishing with 27 points and 10 assists for Utah. His sidekick, the hulking Carlos Boozer, pumped 18 points and 9 rebounds.
But Utah’s 1-2 punch got little help from their punch-less teammates. No other Jazz scored more than nine points as Mehmet Okur and Derek Fisher continued to struggle finding traction on offense.
Despite being betrayed by their bench, the Jazz, egged on by a sellout home crowd of 19,911, kept the Spurs within sight, closing at 66-67 with 9:41 left to play.
But Utah can only hang on for so long. With Game 4, and perhaps the series on the line, San Antonio went to work. Quickly and decisively.
Ginobili drilled a 3 to start the delightufl process of separation at 70-66. Fabirico Oberto, who surpassed himself with 11 points and 11 rebounds, tipped-in a gimme. Tim Duncan made two free throws and Tony Parker scored on a breakaway layup off a turnover.
In what seemed like a blur, faster than you can say Jazz, the Spurs turned a one-point game into a 76-68 cushion with the game clock down to 6:19.
And just like that, the Spurs are 48 minutes away from their fourth NBA Finals appearance in eight years. To the math impaired, that’s one NBA Finals trip every other year, people.
And though Ginobili headlined the stirring triumph, Game 4 was another community effort for the selfless Spurs. And once again, their defense was smart, tenacious, and viciously denying.
Duncan had 19 points on 7 of 12 shooting while Parker made 6 of 19 shots for 17 points. Veteran Michael Finley added 13 and defensive specialist Bruce Bowen settled for 7.
The Spurs made 28 of 69 field goals and 5-of-15 3s. They also sank 30 of 41 free throws.
Utah did reasonably well, making 32 of 68 shots and 14 of 20 free throws. But they were hammered off the boards 51-43 and the Jazz clunked 6 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Game 5 shifts back to the AT & T Center in San Antonio. And that’s bad news for the Jazz, who has lost 18 straight on the Spurs home court since 1999.
It’s not over ‘till it’s over, so says an old sports adage.
That’s right, it ain’t over only because the Spurs need to win four games to put the Jazz to pasture. But for all practical purposes, this series is over.
Done. Cooked. Tapos!
To score the upset of the century, Utah needs to beat the Spurs three in a row, two on the road. Ain’t gonna happen.
If it does, I will walk from Chicago to Utah. Barefoot and naked.
