|
|
|
|
|
Spurs win title, Duncan named MVP
By David Zizmor June 23, 2005 |
||
|
|
|||
|
We have a new NBA champion. The San Antonio Spurs won Game 7 of the NBA Finals Thursday night at the SBC Center, 81-74 over the Detroit Pistons - a fantastic finish for the NBA season. San Antonio won their third title in seven years with Tim Duncan being named MVP of the finals. Game 7 was a great game that got a little sloppy at the end -Detroit really was desperate and just couldn't get the points to bring this one closer. Duncan had 25 points and 11 rebounds in the final game and was even hitting his shots from the free-throw line, going 5-for-6. This was Duncan's game, but it was also Manu Ginobili and Robert Horry doing a great job. Ginobili was 8-for-13 from the floor with five rebounds and four assists, finishing with 23 points. A very good case could have been made for Ginobili as the series MVP. Ginobili was all over the place - great defense, fantastic offense, and good at driving the lanes. Then there's Horry, who we already know who is one of the best sixth men in the league after his winning shot in Game 5, but he was just as good on Thursday. He didn't have to hit the winning shot for this one, but Horry did get 15 points, five rebounds, and an assist. On Detroit's side of the ball, just because they lost doesn't mean they aren't a great team. They played a great series, especially in Game 6 when they had their backs against the wall. The Pistons played great defense, were solid on offense, and they just did a great job helping each other become better players. The biggest problem for Detroit - and it showed, especially in a seven-game series - was their thin bench. Only seven players really saw any significant time in this final series. Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 15 points and Chauncey Billups had 13, but took just eight shots from the floor. Ben Wallace had 12 points and 11 boards. As good as they played, without the extra help from 3-point range, it would have been really, really tough to hang with the Spurs. Ziz's footnotes: Detroit should be back for a fantastic season, but let's give the crown to the San Antonio Spurs and let them wear the title of NBA Champions for 2004-05. We're looking forward to next season and I'll have the update for you on the NBA draft coming next Tuesday and we'll take a look at how the Warriors fare in adding another player to their team with the No. 9 pick. Series review: June 9 San Antonio 84 Detroit 69 June 12 San Antonio 97 Detroit 76 June 14 Detroit 96 San Antonio 79 June 16 Detroit 102 San Antonio 71 June 19 San Antonio 96 Detroit 95 (OT) June 21 Detroit 95 San Antonio 86 June 23 San Antonio 81 Detroit 74 Dave Zizmor co-hosts Sportstalk on 1430 KVVN San Jose and 1110 KLIB Sacramento. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||