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NBA Headlines Around the League
1. Spurs Top Pistons To Take 2-0 Finals Lead
2. Pistons D, No Match
For Spurs
3. Joe D Gives Sheed Pep
Talk
4. Bowen Shows Scoring Touch
5.
Nazr Trades Glitz For Glory
6. Laimbeer And Thomas Meet
Again
7. The Finals Blog: Manu's Playing Like A
Champ
1. Spurs Top Pistons To Take 2-0 Finals Lead
In the EXPRESS-NEWS, Johnny Ludden writes that “as Manu Ginobili walked toward the bench Sunday night, his
27-point, seven-assist performance complete, the Spurs' 97-76 victory all but finished, the sellout crowd
packing the SBC Center rose to its feet,” and began to chant “M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!” Last night’s victory sends
the Spurs to Detroit “two victories away from their third championship. Only two teams have squandered a 2-0
advantage in the NBA Finals, and neither had a left-handed Argentine leading them.” Game 3 is Tuesday at 9:00
ET on ABC.
2. Pistons D, No Match
For Spurs
In the DETROIT NEWS, Rob Parker writes that “coming into the NBA Finals, the Spurs and Pistons were ranked Nos.
1 and 2, respectively, in regular-season defense.” But while the “Spurs have held up their end of the
bargain,” the Pistons “have been missing in action on the defensive end.” The Spurs “shot 59 percent from the
field in the first half and put their stamp on the Finals, which they lead, two games to none. They have abused
the Pistons' defense in the first two games.”
3. Joe D Gives Sheed Pep
Talk
Chris McCosky writes in the DETROIT NEWS that “Joe Dumars told the story of an elevator ride he took with
Wallace on Friday night.” The two “rode in silence to the 10th floor, neither looking at the other. As Wallace
got out of the elevator, Dumars said, ‘Shoot the ball.’” Wallace did , and after getting only “six points on
six shots in Game 1, he contributed 11 points on 12 shots in Game 2.”
4. Bowen Shows Scoring Touch
In the EXPRESS –NEWS, Mike Monroe writes that “Bruce Bowen, the Spurs' ultimate role player, took his star turn
in front of the media in the interview room after the Spurs' 97-76 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 2
of NBA Finals on Sunday night.” Bowen “came into the game secure in the knowledge he had made a huge
contribution to the Spurs' Game 1 victory in spite of missing all six of his shots and going scoreless in 35
minutes,” but in Game 2 the defensive stopper made “4 of 8 3-point shots and scored 15 points.” Bowen was
“wide-open for most of his 3-pointers, all of which came from his favorite spots — the corners.”
5.
Nazr Trades Glitz For Glory
In USA TODAY, Greg Boeck writes that “when Nazr Mohammed was traded in February, he left the glitz of New York
and the glare of Knicks basketball for arguably the most unglamorous organization in the NBA.” That however is
“not his take on life with the San Antonio Spurs.” The 6’-10” center “was rewarded with another win in Game 2
of the NBA Finals. He totaled only six points, five rebounds and two blocks but was in the middle of the Spurs'
14-6 getaway that kicked off a 97-76 victory against the Detroit Pistons.”
6. Laimbeer And Thomas Meet
Again
In the NY POST, Dan Martin writes that “Bill Laimbeer remains a longshot to become the next coach of the
Knicks, but Isiah Thomas' interest in his former Detroit teammate is serious enough that he had a three-hour
interview with Laimbeer Saturday night.” Bill Laimbeer “previously sat down with Thomas after the Detroit
Shock's first trip to the Garden this season on May 22. Neither time was an offer made.” Though the two met,
Isiah Thomas has,” already called current coach Herb Williams the frontrunner to remain on the bench next
season.”
7. The Finals Blog: Manu's Playing Like A
Champ
He shoots like a champ. He runs like a champ. He throws like a champ. He parties like a champ. So far in this
Finals, Manu Ginobili has been a champ. And he's two games away from making the San Antonio Spurs champs along
with him. Log on to NBA.coms Finals Blog to get the first and last word on The Finals.
