By Dan Savage
May 19, 2008: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Happy Birthday Dolph Schayes. Schayes, known as one of the most consistent scorers and rebounders in NBA history, turned a spry 80 years old on Monday. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"One thing I want them to remember when they start working out next season is how they feel right now."New Orleans coach Byron Scott, after the Hornets were eliminated by the Spurs in Game 7 on Monday night.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Monday's top play: Watch as Chris Paul beats the buzzer.
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NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
Having a tough time deciding who should be your Drive to the Finals choice for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals? Well, the experts suggest that you should roll with one the Pistons, because the Celtics are due for a letdown after an electric Game 7 against the Cavs. This guru agrees. Even though Paul Pierce racked up 41 points in his last performance, chances are he won’t come close against Detroit’s staunch defense in the opening matchup. Ride with Rip Hamilton instead, who can take advantage of Boston’s tired legs.
SHOOTING STUDS
Tyson Chandler, Hornets91-82 loss vs. Spurs
13 pts, 6-8 FG
Michael Finley, Spurs
91-82 win at Hornets
6 pts, 2-2 FG, 2-2 3-pt FG
Manu Ginobili, Spurs
91-82 win at Hornets
26 pts, 10-11 FT
STAT SHEET STUFFER
If your squad has a dominant big man, chances are you’ll be in the championship hunt year after year. Need proof? Look no further than the Spurs with Tim Duncan. Already owning four titles in the past nine years, Duncan helped put San Antonio on pace for its fifth, by notching 16 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal in the Spurs’ series-clinching victory over the Hornets on Monday night.
SHOOTING DUDS
Peja Stojakovic, Hornets91-82 loss vs. Spurs
7 pts, 3-11 FG, 1-5 3-pt FG
Tim Duncan, Spurs
91-82 win at Hornets
16 pts, 5-17 FG, 0-1 3-pt FG
Morris Peterson, Hornets
91-82 loss vs. Spurs
5 pts, 2-7 FG, 1-4 3-pt FG
SPURS READY TO WIN THE WEST AGAIN?
The Hornets were supposed to be too fast, Chris Paul too good and their legs too young for the Spurs to overcome at the start of this series. Yet, just like it always does, San Antonio went quietly about its business, won its games at home and used its veteran experience to take Game 7 in New Orleans on Monday. Heading into the playoffs, it appeared that this was the year the Spurs’ dynasty would begin to crumble. But, somehow they keep chugging along and their tremendous trio keeps getting it done. In the big game, their big three – Duncan, Ginobili and Parker – combined for 17 of their 20 fourth-quarter points, doing just enough to hand coach Gregg Popovich his 100th career playoff victory. As San Antonio prepares to travel to Los Angeles for the opening game of the Western Conference Finals, it will again be the underdog. But will anyone be surprised if the Spurs end up in The Finals going for their fifth NBA championship in the last 10 years?
HORNETS SHOULD LEAVE WITH THEIR HEADS HELD HIGH
Their season might not have ended the way they would have wanted, but there is no reason the Hornets should be disappointed with their 2007-08 campaign. Not only did New Orleans have a 17-win improvement from last season, but it also jumped from 10th to second place in the Western Conference. On top of that, it hosted an amazing All-Star game, Byron Scott was named Coach of the Year and Chris Paul finished second in the MVP race. Hey, how much more of a turnaround could you ask for? Even though they dropped to 0-5 all-time in second round, the Hornets took the defending champs to a Game 7 and went down swinging. Paul nearly tallied a triple-double and Jannero Pargo erupted for 16 points off the bench in the final frame and nearly hit a potential game-tying trey with just over a minute left that could have swung the outcome in the opposite direction.
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