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( 3 ) San Antonio Spurs (56-26) vs. ( 6 ) Phoenix Suns (55-27)

Game 1 - Sat April 19 Phoenix at San Antonio 3:00PM ET ABC/R
Game 2 - Tue April 22 Phoenix at San Antonio 9:30PM ET TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 25 San Antonio at Phoenix 10:30PM ET ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 27 San Antonio at Phoenix 3:30PM ET ABC/R
Game 5 * Tue April 29 Phoenix at San Antonio TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu May 1 San Antonio at Phoenix TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 3 Phoenix at San Antonio TBD TNT

REGULAR SEASON SERIES
Suns lead 3-1
Dec. 17: Suns 100 at Spurs 95
Jan. 31: Spurs 84 at Suns 81
Mar. 9: at Suns 94, Spurs 87
Apr. 9: Suns 96 at Spurs 79

Projected Starting Lineup



PG - Tony Parker
SG - Michael Finley
SF - Bruce Bowen
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Fabricio Oberto

Projected Starting Lineup



PG - Steve Nash
SG - Raja Bell
SF - Grant Hill
PF - Amare Stoudemire
C - Shaquille O'Neal

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Who wins this first round series?

suns in 7.

can't believe they're matching up in the 1st round. this is going to be crazy.

If the Suns lose this series Kerr is going to get his ass fired.

Hard to pick against the Spurs - especially in the first round.

I want the Suns to win, but I'm guessing the Spurs will.

Spurs in 7.

Spurs in 7, Man so far I have every series in the West going at least 6.

Suns in 6

I have no idea. Im not even gonna vote. I expect a great series though.

i wonder if this is the last chance for whoever wins this series

both have already ceded their divisions to younger, hungrier teams

toughest series to predict

this can go either way

you'd think that no way the spurs lose in the first round

and then you'd think what would happen if suns lose in first round to spurs

i would have to say suns in 7

One area where Shaq makes a huge difference in this series is that Spurs can't play "Duncan and 4 shooters" line up in crunch time. They are going to have to play Thomas/Oberto, unless they want Horry/Bonner guarding Amare or Shaq.

wow both teams have so much to lose if they go out in the first round...

Phoenix in 6...

Has DUNCAN ever lost in the first round before?

Im not sure, but if he hasn't he's like the bizarro T-mac/G.Hill

I'm going with the Spurs in 7, although that would ruin a possible Kobe/Shaq reunion in the WCF. I wouldn't be disappointed if the Suns took the series though.

The Spurs are too well coached and have too much experience to go out there and choke. Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli are going to kick it up a notch, and I think KT will show his worth in this series. The only thing they really lack right now is depth due to injury (when are Barry and Horry expected back?), so it'll be interesting to see how Duncan, Finley, and some of the other old farts handle increased minutes.

Phoenix isn't exactly the youngest bunch in the league either, and how well their veterans perform is going to be crucial, primarily Shaq and Hill. Will Hill be ready to go? I haven't heard anything since his groin injury, and it looked like something that could linger. As for Shaq, I think he'll be fine... if he can stay out of foul trouble. San Antonio will no doubt try to slow the pace, and that's going to work in Shaq's favor, so it'll be interesting to see how he scores and creates for others.

Suns in 6. Shocking the world and putting an end to the Spurs dynasty.

This is probably the toughest first round matchup by far. As others have said, either team getting bounced in the first round would be crazy (especially Los Spurs) but somebody has to lose. I'll go with the Suns in 7.

I SERIOUSLY hope the Suns beat up the Spurs, I cannot stand watching them or hearing about them, and yes they are by far the most boring NBA team.

Suns in 6.

First first round exit of Duncan era, Shaq is hungry for more and who can stop that.

Suns in 6/7.

LucerneStDoggz wrote:I SERIOUSLY hope the Suns beat up the Spurs, I cannot stand watching them or hearing about them, and yes they are by far the most boring NBA team.

Cavs.