Can the Nets actually pull off a championship?

What should the Nets do to win Game 3?

Tom Tolbert
The Nets did a wonderful job in Game 2. They ratcheted up their defensive intensity and didn't allow the Spurs to ever get comfortable. In Game 3, they need to stay aggressive on defense and continue to use their defense to run their fast break offense. Jason Kidd did a great job in Game 2 of being aggressive and penetrating and finding his shot. Almost immediately that aggression rubbed off on his team, they need to keep that aggression to win Game 3 and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Bill Walton
They've got to let the Big Dog hunt. Dikembe Mutombo was outstanding in Game 2 and they have to continue to get him 20-plus minutes a game to infuse the Nets with his energy and enthusiasm. He did an amazing job of coming in and dominating defensively. He did everything you'd want from: He chased after loose balls, blocked and altered shots, set strong picks and boxed out the opposing team. The Nets have to keep him in the game as much as possible.

Dr. Jack Ramsay
I wouldn't be surprised if Jason Collins drew the defensive assignment of guarding Tim Duncan to start Game 3. Collins did a very good job defending Duncan in Game 2 and especially bodying Duncan up and fronting him. That assignment would free Kenyon Martin up to create offensively without having to worry about guarding Duncan at the other end. It'd also keep Martin out of foul trouble and keep him on the floor much longer. Don't be surprised if a front court consisting of Kenyon Martin, Jason Collins and Dikembe Mutombo is on the court for key defensive stops.

Fred Carter
The Nets must continue to get Dikembe Mutombo minutes. His defense and blocks enables the Nets to get into the open-court for easy looks. Their fast break offense is so important to their game plan because if they get stuck having to run a lot of half-court sets they may see a repeat of their Game 1 debacle. They also must continue to confuse Duncan with different double-team looks to stifle the big man and allow the Nets chances to rotate over to defend open shooters.

 

What should the Spurs do to win Game 3?

Tom Tolbert
The San Antonio Spurs have to reduce their number of turnovers and increase their intensity. In Game 1, they kicked the ball around like it was a World Cup game. Twenty-one turnovers is not going to win you any games in this game and they must realize that. I think that intensity was a problem. Also, a lack of intensity was a problem in Game 2. Sometimes a team will win Game 1 of a series and start to relax after the first five or six minutes of the game. That's an attitude the Spurs cannot afford to keep. They will have to tighten up offensively and keep their heads in the game to win Game 3 and ultimately this series.

Bill Walton
The Spurs are still the favorite in this series and with a little correction in their ball handling and free throw shooting they'll remain so. I think that the Spurs will throw Game 2 out of the window because they absolutely played horribly. They out-shot and out-rebounded the Nets and still managed to find a way to lose this game. That's inexcusable but I believe that they'll forget about it like all great teams do. If the Spurs can do better from the line and Duncan can play like he's capable of, the Spurs will have no worries.

Dr. Jack Ramsay
The Spurs must be a better foul shooting team. Turnovers were a serious problem for them in Game 1 but they can straighten that out. It's more imperative for this team to shoot better from the charity line. And it starts with Tim Duncan. Duncan was 3-10 from the line in Game 2 and 0-4 down the stretch when the Spurs needed his free throws to start falling. If the Spurs can correct their foul shooting woes they'll be in good shape but until then they'll have to worry down the stretch.

Fred Carter
It all ends and begins with Tim Duncan for the Spurs. After a blockbuster Game 1 performance he didn't perform well against the increased and varied double teams the Nets threw a him in Game 2. Duncan only scored 19 points on 8-for-19 shooting with four turnovers. If he can play like the real Tim Duncan, then the Spurs have nothing to worry about.