The next series for San Antonio against the Hornets presents different challenges.  For starters New Orleans is more defensive minded than the Suns are, and they have enough big bodies to give Tim Duncan problems.

They split the season series with the Spurs this year, but as we all know, this is the playoffs, and as the previous series with the Suns taught us, you can’t predict the outcome of playoff games strictly by using regular season games as a gauge.   Let’s see how the teams actually match up.

Chris Paul vs. Tony Parker/Bruce Bowen

Chris Paul is as important to his team as any other player in the league.  He sets tempo, sets up his teammates, scores, and plays defense.  He also averages 2.71 steals per game. 

San Antonio will not be able to completely shut him down, but they have to limit the amount of damage he inflicts.  They must force Paul to be strictly a scorer so the rest of his team can’t feed off of him.

That’s easier said than done, but Gregg Popovich will find a way, and his players will execute it.

David West vs. Fabricio Oberto/Kurt Thomas

This is a match-up that New Orleans must exploit in order for them to win.  David West is an all-star and can get his own shots off the dribble.  He will be a much tougher guard than any of Phoenix’s bigs.

Thomas will have to rely on his veteran savy when he is matched up against West. 

Tim Duncan vs. Tyson Chandler

Chandler will be a lot more active on defense than Shaq was, but the down side to that is that he tends to get in foul trouble.  In light of that, how the Hornets choose to defend Duncan will be a key. 

They need Chandler on the floor to defend the paint against Parker and Manu Ginobili as they try to get to the rim.

Peja Stojakovic vs. Michael Finley/Bruce Bowen

The Spurs need to know where Stojakovic is at all times on the perimetter.  He is especially elusive in transition because Paul draws the defenders and finds Stojakovic all alone for uncontested threes. 

Finley will have to force Peja to defend him and make him a liability on that side of the ball.  The Spurs are confident that when Bowen is guarding Peja he will get the job done.  That is what Bowen does.  If the Spurs are focused mentally in this regard this will be a favorable match-up for them. 

Morris Peterson vs. Michael Finley

Morris Peterson has played well so far in the playoffs, but was pretty average against the Spurs in the regular season.  He played 20 minutes a game and averaged 6 points in those contests.  

Finley is a savy veteran who, as we saw against the Suns, is capable of hitting big shots in pressure situations.  Peterson has size at 6′7” so it won’t be easy for Finley to have his way, but San Antonio does have an edge here.

Benches

Jannero Pargo has thrived coming off the bench and spelling Paul.  He had a great series against Dallas and elevated his play.  If he can continue his aggressive play he will be a problem for San Antonio.  Bonzi Wells is also capable of coming in and providing instant offense for the Hornets. 

Julian Wright will be a factor because of his defense.  He may be asked to slow Ginobili down, and if he is successful that gives the Hornets an excellent chance to win. 

There is no better 6th man in the league than Manu Ginobili.  He will get a lot of minutes and do his usual amount of damage.  Kurt Thomas will provide defense and rebounding as well and will get his turn dealing with David West.

Brent Barry and Ime Udoka add depth to the Spurs bench, and Udoka has added a spark every time he has come into the game in these playoffs.    

The Hornets are looking to usher in their own era of dominance, and phase out the oldest team left in the playoffs.  They believe it is their time, but the Spurs have proven over and over again that they will not be denied and they step it up in the playoffs.  I think they get it done in this series as well.

Paul will play well, but the Spurs will win in 6 games.